
Sapporo to Noboribetsu Transfer
About This Transfer
Experience the journey from Sapporo to Noboribetsu Onsen with our premium private transfer service - connecting Hokkaido's capital to one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts. Noboribetsu is known for its dramatic volcanic "hell valley," diverse hot spring waters with healing properties, and traditional onsen town atmosphere.
While trains connect to Noboribetsu Station, most onsen ryokans are uphill in the onsen town area, making taxis necessary. Our private transfer delivers you directly from Sapporo to your ryokan entrance, handles luggage, and coordinates timing with your kaiseki dinner schedule.
Why Choose Private Transfer Sapporo-Noboribetsu:
- Direct to onsen town - uphill from station, ryokans scattered across area
- Ryokan coordination - timing with check-in and dinner schedule
- Luggage convenience - important for multi-day onsen stays
- Flexible timing - coordinate with your ryokan's kaiseki dinner time
- Cost-effective for groups - 3+ passengers competitive with train + taxi
- Scenic route - through southern Hokkaido countryside
✅ What's Included
- Professional English-speaking driver with Noboribetsu area knowledge
- Private vehicle for your group only - no sharing
- Hotel-to-ryokan service - Sapporo hotel to Noboribetsu onsen accommodation
- All highway tolls and parking fees included
- Luggage assistance at pickup and drop-off
- Complimentary bottled water and snacks
- Clean, comfortable, heated vehicles
- Regular comfort stops - rest areas as needed
- Child safety seats available (free - specify ages)
- Ryokan arrival coordination - timing with dinner schedule
- Onsen town navigation - driver knows all ryokan locations
- Winter equipment (Nov-Apr): 4WD with winter tires (included)
- 24/7 customer support
🚗 Transfer Process
Your journey from Sapporo to Noboribetsu onsen:
- Sapporo Pickup - Driver arrives at hotel (coordinate with ryokan dinner time)
- Meet Your Driver - Introduction and luggage loading
- Head South - Via expressway through southern Hokkaido
- Countryside Views - Forests, farmland, rural Hokkaido scenery
- Rest Stop - Service area break if needed (~45-60 min mark)
- Noboribetsu Approach - Enter onsen town area (uphill from JR station)
- Onsen Town Navigation - Driver navigates to your specific ryokan
- Jigokudani Views - See steam rising from Hell Valley (dramatic!)
- Ryokan Arrival - Coordinate with ryokan for smooth check-in, luggage assistance
Timing Excellence: Most Noboribetsu ryokans serve kaiseki dinner 6:00-7:00 PM. We recommend arrival by 4:30-5:00 PM for pre-dinner onsen bathing. Provide your ryokan dinner time when booking for optimal coordination.
⏱ Estimated Travel Time
Drive Time: 1.5-2 hours via expressway
Sapporo to Noboribetsu:
- Sapporo Station → Noboribetsu onsen town: 1.5-2 hours
- Susukino → Noboribetsu ryokans: 1.5-2 hours
- New Chitose Airport → Noboribetsu: 1-1.5 hours (alternative pickup point)
Distance: Approximately 100 km via Dooh Expressway
Note: Winter conditions may add 15-30 minutes. Traffic generally light on this route.
New Chitose Airport Option: Many travelers combine:
- Fly into New Chitose → Direct to Noboribetsu (1-1.5 hours)
- Skip Sapporo entirely if focusing on onsen experience
- Saves time, maximizes onsen relaxation
Compare with Train + Taxi:
- JR Limited Express: 1 hour 10 min Sapporo → Noboribetsu Station
- Total: ~1.5-2 hours door-to-door, similar to private transfer
- Private advantage: One seamless journey, no transfers
📍 Coverage Areas
Sapporo Pickup:
- Sapporo Station area
- Susukino district
- All Sapporo hotels
- New Chitose Airport (alternative, very convenient!)
Noboribetsu Drop-off:
- Noboribetsu Onsen town (all ryokans)
- Hell Valley (Jigokudani) vicinity
- Oyunuma Lake area
- Noboribetsu Marine Park area (aquarium)
- Noboribetsu JR Station area (if needed)
Base fare covers all Noboribetsu onsen town areas!
♨️ About Noboribetsu Onsen
One of Japan's top onsen resorts with unique volcanic setting:
Famous For:
- Jigokudani (Hell Valley) - Volcanic crater with sulfurous fumes, dramatic steaming landscape
- 9 Types of Hot Spring Water - Most variety in Japan (sulfur, iron, acidic, alkaline, etc.)
- Healing Waters - Each water type has different therapeutic properties
- Traditional Onsen Town - Classic Japanese hot spring resort atmosphere
- Demon Mascots - Oni (demons) are town symbol (from "hell valley")
- Forest Walks - Trails through steaming volcanic landscape
Jigokudani (Hell Valley):
- 10-minute walk from most ryokans
- Volcanic crater 450m diameter
- Steam, sulfurous fumes, bubbling pools
- Walking trails through otherworldly landscape
- Beautifully lit at night
- Free access, must-see attraction
Nine Spring Types:
- Sulfur spring
- Iron spring
- Acidic spring
- Salt spring
- Alum spring
- Green alum spring
- Gypsum spring
- Bicarbonate spring
- Radium spring
Therapeutic Benefits:
- Each spring type treats different conditions
- Many ryokans have multiple spring types
- Can bath-hop to experience different waters
Oyunuma Lake:
- Natural hot spring lake (50°C)
- Gray bubbling surface
- Natural foot bath area
- 15-minute walk from town
🏨 Noboribetsu Ryokan Experience
What to Expect:
Check-in: Typically 3:00-4:00 PM
- Welcome tea ceremony
- Ryokan tour
- Yukata sizing
- Dinner time assignment
Kaiseki Dinner: Usually 6:00 or 7:00 PM (specific time assigned)
- Multi-course traditional meal
- Hokkaido specialties (seafood, local vegetables)
- Often in private dining room or communal hall
- Takes 1.5-2 hours
Onsen Bathing:
- Pre-dinner bath (4:00-6:00 PM)
- Post-dinner bath (8:00-10:00 PM)
- Morning bath before breakfast
- Many ryokans have multiple baths (indoor, outdoor, different spring types)
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM
- Traditional Japanese breakfast
- Local ingredients
Check-out: 10:00-11:00 AM
Private Transfer Timing: We coordinate arrival for optimal pre-dinner bathing time!
📝 Important Notes
Booking Confirmation: You'll receive confirmation within 24 hours with driver contact details, vehicle information, and 24/7 emergency support number.
Ryokan Coordination Critical: Provide when booking:
- Exact ryokan name
- Check-in time
- Kaiseki dinner time (essential! - 6:00 or 7:00 PM)
- Any special occasions (anniversary, birthday)
We coordinate with your ryokan for seamless arrival.
Onsen Town Layout: Noboribetsu onsen town is compact but hilly:
- Ryokans scattered on hillsides
- Most within 10-minute walk of Hell Valley
- Some remote luxury properties on hillside
- Driver knows all locations
What to Pack for Onsen Stay:
- Minimal clothing (yukata provided)
- Towel for onsen (can rent at public baths)
- Camera for Hell Valley
- Comfortable shoes for Hell Valley walk
- Bathing suit NOT needed (onsen bathing is nude)
Hell Valley Visit Timing:
- Walk during daytime to see dramatic landscape
- Evening viewing (lit up) also spectacular
- 10-15 minute walk from most ryokans
- Wooden boardwalks through steaming valley
Oyunuma Foot Bath: Free natural foot bath at Oyunuma Lake:
- 15-minute walk from town
- Natural 40-45°C water
- Bring towel for drying feet
- Beautiful forest setting
Vehicle Selection: Most transfers use 8-seater. Onsen stays require minimal luggage. See "Select Vehicles."
Advance Booking: Minimum 48-72 hours. Peak seasons (winter, autumn, holidays) book 1 week ahead. Noboribetsu ryokans popular and book up quickly.
New Chitose Airport Direct: Very popular option:
- Land at New Chitose
- Direct to Noboribetsu (1-1.5 hours)
- Maximum onsen time
- Skip Sapporo if onsen is priority
Multi-Day Patterns:
- Sapporo (1-2 nights) → Noboribetsu (2 nights) → return or continue
- New Chitose → Noboribetsu (2 nights) → Sapporo (1 night) → Airport
- Package pricing for multiple transfers
Return Transfer: Options:
- Noboribetsu → Sapporo (reverse route)
- Noboribetsu → New Chitose Airport (for departure)
- Noboribetsu → Lake Toya → Sapporo (scenic route with lake stop)
- Can coordinate all legs
Payment: 50% deposit at booking, balance before transfer. Cash JPY or credit card.
Cancellation: 72+ hours free, 48-72 hours 50%, under 48 hours 100%.
Ryokan Recommendations: Driver can suggest:
- Best ryokans for couples
- Family-friendly options
- Budget vs luxury
- Which spring types for specific health concerns
- But book ryokan yourself before arranging transfer!
Onsen Etiquette:
- Wash thoroughly before entering bath
- No clothing in onsen
- Small towel for modesty in changing room
- Hair tied up
- Quiet, respectful behavior
- Don't drain water
Bear Park (Kuma-bokujo):
- Hokkaido brown bear sanctuary on mountain
- Accessible by ropeway from onsen town
- 150+ bears in naturalistic setting
- Optional activity if interested
Lake Toya En Route: Lake Toya is between Sapporo and Noboribetsu:
- Scenic caldera lake
- Can arrange brief photo stop
- Or extended visit to lake resort (additional fee)
- Beautiful in all seasons
Winter in Noboribetsu:
- Snow-covered Hell Valley magical
- Outdoor onsen in snow (incredible!)
- 4WD automatic (included)
- Winter tires on all vehicles
- Heated vehicle comfort
Seasonal Notes:
- Spring: Fresh green, cherry blossoms in late April
- Summer: Lush forests, comfortable temperature
- Autumn: Fall colors spectacular (late September-October)
- Winter: Snow, outdoor onsen perfect, Hell Valley in snow
Duration Recommendation: Stay at least 2 nights to fully enjoy:
- Multiple onsen bathing sessions
- Hell Valley day and night viewing
- Oyunuma foot bath
- Full relaxation experience
- One night feels rushed
Post-Onsen Bliss: After 2 nights of onsen bathing and kaiseki dinners, most guests are deeply relaxed. Private transfer back to Sapporo means no stress about catching trains while in onsen-induced bliss!
Customer Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your experience!
Book This Transfer
Select Vehicles
¥50,000 / vehicle
¥70,000 / vehicle
¥100,000 / vehicle
¥150,000 / vehicle
¥250,000 / vehicle
Please select at least one vehicle
Select at least one vehicle to continue