Hokkaido Winter Journey: Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Hell Valley In-Depth Travel Guide

Embark on a wonderful journey in Hokkaido, with a day planned to take the JR train from the artistic Hakodate to the vibrant Sapporo. Along the way, passing through Toya and Noboribetsu, it's a perfect opportunity to visit Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Hell Valley. 1. Exploring Lake Toya Take the JR train from Hakodate to Toya Station, then transfer to a bus heading to the Toyako Onsen area, which is full of Japanese charm. Just a few steps and you'll be standing by the lakeside of Lake Toya. The lake is like a fairyland, with clear water and enchanting colors. On that day, the weather was perfect, with clear skies and no snow, allowing a full view of the majestic Mount Yotei, making it feel like stepping into a fairytale. The long boardwalk by the lake offers countless perfect photo spots, without the need to wait for a spot like at other popular attractions. Unfortunately, time was tight, so there was no chance to take a boat ride on the lake, and lunch had to be a quick convenience store meal. If you plan to dine nearby, it's highly recommended to find food right after getting off the bus, as waiting in line at noon can delay your visit. 2. Trip to Noboribetsu After visiting Lake Toya, take the JR train to Noboribetsu. Upon arrival, take a bus to the bustling Noboribetsu Onsen Street. You can leisurely stroll around here, then walk to the mysterious Hell Valley for a visit, which takes about 1-2 hours. Walking on the boardwalk in Hell Valley, you can see the hot spring steam rising, as if you've stepped into a mysterious other world. However, in winter, the roads are icy, and for safety reasons, only part of the boardwalk is open, so the visit ends quickly. It was a bit disappointing not to be able to visit Oyunuma and Daiyūnuma. After the visit, you can take the JR train towards Sapporo. From Noboribetsu, you can go directly to Sapporo, but since I was staying near Chitose, I got off at Minami-Chitose and then transferred to the airport line to the hotel.