Okunoyu Pond - Hokkaido

Okunoyu Pond or Oku No Yu (奥の湯) is a smaller pond adjacent to the larger Oyunuma Pond. It is located at Noboribetsu Onsen Town in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. 

Okunoyu Pond or Oku No Yu (奥の湯)

Okunoyu Pond details

Okunoyu Pond, located just a short distance from the parking area near Oyunuma Pond, offers visitors the convenience of easily exploring both ponds. Although smaller in size, Okunoyu Pond exudes its unique beauty.

Okunoyu Pond - Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Throughout the seasons, the hot waters of Okunoyu Pond undergo a captivating transformation. Starting as a murky gray, the pond's waters gradually turn into a mesmerizing milky blue. This visual spectacle is truly a sight to behold.

The water from Okunoyu Pond actually flows to the nearby larger Oyunuma Pond

Photos of Okunoyu Pond

There would be times that you would see deer near the pond

Despite its smaller size, Okunoyu Pond plays a significant role as one of the water sources for Oyunuma Pond. At times, you may witness the powerful eruption of gray-black sulfur springs from a cone-shaped swamp known as "Fuki" in the Hiyoriyama explosion crater ruins. The surface temperature of this swamp reaches a scorching 75°C to 85°C, with the water gushing vigorously near the front and center, resembling a boiling pot.

Team Nicerio visits Okunoyu Pond

My family and I visited Okunoyu Pond for the first time last October 9, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 342nd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. Okunoyu Pond was one of the places that we visited in the area. We wanted to fully explore the area but it rained and we booked a hotel in Muroran City. Given the chance, we would come back and stay in a nearby hotel to maximize our experience. 

Okunoyu Pond Fees

It’s FREE to explore Jigokudani. However, if you are bringing your car expect to pay a parking fee. The amount is different based on where you parked but the nearer ones to Jigokudani charge around 500 yen. 

Okunoyu Pond Operating Hours

Okunoyu Pond is open 24/7. However, it’s best visited in the morning as the area is not well-lit at night.  

Why visit Okunoyu Pond?

Although there’s nothing much to do in Okunoyu Pond, it’s still a must-visit if you are in the area particularly if you park in the parking area between Oyunuma and Okunoyu Pond. However, the best place to view the two ponds is on Hiyoriyama Observation Deck.  

Getting to Okunoyu Pond

 

 If you are coming from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport, keep in mind that Okunoyu Pond is far from the Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) bus stop which is where most buses stop, hence it's best to come by rental car and drive going to the paid parking area near Okunoyu Pond instead. However, if this is not an option you may follow this one. Heads up, this is one of the many ways to get to Okunoyu Pond. However, this is the one which I'm familiar with. 

From New Chitose Airport, make your way towards the New Chitose Airport Limousine Bus terminal where you'll catch the Airport Shuttle Bus Shinsei.

Alight at Minami Chitose Eki bus stop and proceed to Minami-Chitose Station. From there, hop on the Hokuto 18 Limited Express Hakodate train, operating on the Hokuto Line, and disembark at Noboribetsu Station.

Upon arrival, transfer to the "Regional Center Building → Horobetsu Honmachi → Noboribetsu Station → Noboribetsu Onsen Route" Bus at the Noboribetsu Bus stop. 

Ride the bus and board down at Noboribetsu Onsen bus stop.

From there, it's a 2-kilometer walk to Okunoyu Pond.

Travel time: 1 hour and 38 minutes

Fare: 3,720 yen

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