Things To Do in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Jigokudani (地獄谷) or "Hell Valley" is a spectacular, appropriately named valley just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, which displays hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activity. Here we get to also witness two different hot water stream merging into each other. Sulfur Stream and Iron Stream. It's beautiful. It is a main source of Noboribetsu's hot spring waters.
After some walk, we came back out and went searching for food. Initially we wanted to have ramen, so we waited in front of the store together with a few foreigners. After about 20 minutes waiting, a staff in the store suddenly walk out and just told use rudely, "CLOSE CLOSE CLOSE!!!". Not even apologetic. Even one of the Japanese that were standing and waiting in the cold with us shouted "bakayaro!". I wanted to write really bad things about it on Google review but I couldn't find their name on Google. It's a Ramen Store at Usagi Shop. Avoid.
Anyway, another blessing in disguise. We ended up walking a little up north to a pretty small and cozy shop. They have ONE english menu and staffs could hardly speak english. We ordered and ate. Food were super delicious!!! Highly recommended. I couldn't remember the store name but I'll put some pictures here for your reference. It's just a very small shop located on the street of Noboribetsu Onsen Dori. If you can't find it, food should be good around here.
Anyway the friendly lady owner actually helped show us a good free place to park our car then we could walk around the town 5 minutes away.
Things To Do in Lake Toya, Hokkaido
Video available on YouTube, it's just a short clip with the fireworks. Check it out on YouTube.
Thereafter we went back to our hotel to rest and we had some instant noodles as supper. JAPANESE INSTANT NOODLES ARE DOPE! JAPANESE CONVENIENT STORE FOOD ARE AWESOME TOO!
With the extra time, we manage to visit the Sairo Observatory. It is apparently the number 1 location to visit in Lake Toya for it's beautiful scenery. But unfortunately, due to heavy snow, we could not enjoy the said beautiful scenery.
Initially, I doubted the trip to Mount Usuzan as we could not see anything when we were at Sairo. But then we went anyway, it was GREAT!
There were almost no other visitors. We had the whole snowy mountain for ourselves for unlimited sleds, snow mountain walks, top of mountain climb, partial beautiful view etc. It was so nice! Not being selfish, but sometimes when we're on a tour, it's good to have times like these where we feel exclusive at a tourist area.
Snow up there were so smooth and fluffy. Virgin Snow! Nature's Untouched!