sekainozomi: Hokkaido scenery - Hell Valley (Noboribetsu Jigokudani)

sekainozomi (

sekainozomi) wrote,
@ 2007-11-25 13:21:00

Entry tags:

hokkaido scenery

Hokkaido scenery - Hell Valley (Noboribetsu Jigokudani)
Recently, I did an experiment. I asked a few people who had never been to Japan what images came to mind when they thought of the country. Four images dominated: temples, castles, kimonos and the A-Bomb Dome.

Sadly, no one mentioned my beloved island of Hokkaido, my home for over a decade. Thankfully, I can remedy that ill with a little hard work and dedication. Periodically, I will post scenes from Hokkaido and eventually other "neglected" parts of Japan.

Our quest to discover Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, will begin with a glimpse at Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This is of significant because the G8 summit will be held here next year...much to our dismay. Let's begin with Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley).

I'm sorry. These entries are not dial-up friendly.

Noboribetsu - Hell Valley
This place is absolutely amazing. There is so much to see and to do!
That is my hand.
It isn't just dangerous. It stinks too. Somehow to describe it as a "rotten egg" smell is too tame.
The Hell Valley sign reads: It is a volcanic crater with a diameter of 450 meters. Boiling water squirting out of thousands of holes sound like the heartbeat of the earth. The orange-brown rocks remind you of the history of dynamic volcanic eruptions. It is the greatest tourist attraction in Noboribetsu.



You would regret stepping off the sidewalk. It is HOT!

Killer sulfur water!
There is a destination!
There's something there and it really smells BAD!

No one would dare try to bathe in this.
However, they would throw coins in it.
This is Japan. The altar is mandatory.
So is the moonlight.