Hokkaido Trip 2020 - Days 6, 7: Niseko and Noboribetsu
On days 6 and 7 I explored the area southwest of Sapporo. The weather was significantly cooler and wetter.
I stopped over in Niseko (ニセコ), a famous ski resort around Yōtei-zan (羊蹄山), a volcano in the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Of course, the skiing season hasn't started yet and there were no foreign tourists that usually make up most of the visitors. Niseko has been developed by foreign companies from Australia, Hongkong, etc. and there were many foreigners living and working before the pandemic.
I explored the local outdoor onsen.
Map of the Niseko area:
The next day, I continued to Noboribetsu (登別), one of the most popular onsen resorts in Hokkaido. It is located at the foot of the volcano Hiyoriyama and known for its sulphuric hot springs.
These creeks are hot!!
This is Noboribetsu Jigokudani (地獄谷, “hell valley"). It feeds the nearby thermal establishments in Noboribetsu Onsen. Walking trails lead through a sulphuric, lunar landscape. The temperatures of Lake Oyunuma reach 50°C.
It took me 20 minutes to get the shot below without tourists. All local tourists, of course.
