Dai-ichi Takimotokan Noboribetsu Review: Hokkaido Onsen Bliss

1. Noboribetsu Ryokan Recommendation

2. Dai-ichi Takimotokan Grand Bath

3. Guest Rooms and Facilities

4. Dai-ichi Takimotokan Breakfast

Noboribetsu Ryokan Recommendation

When you think of a trip to Japan, there are countless delights like shopping and incredible dining experiences. But one thing you absolutely can’t miss is a visit to an onsen, or hot spring. While I wasn't always a huge hot spring enthusiast, I've found that if I go to Japan and don't indulge, I feel like I've missed out on something special. And when it comes to onsen, Hokkaido offers a truly unique experience. With its naturally cooler climate, the sensation of your head being cool and your body warm in an outdoor bath (rotenburo) is simply divine. Imagine enjoying this in the depths of winter, surrounded by a pristine blanket of white snow!

I had visited Jozankei last winter (2025-2026), and this time, I'm excited to share my experience from a trip in Summer 2025 to Dai-ichi Takimotokan Onsen. Noboribetsu is renowned for its 'Hell Valley' (Jigokudani) and exceptional onsen hotels, and among the many Japanese ryokans in Noboribetsu, Dai-ichi Takimotokan was chosen by my friend, and what a fantastic choice it was!

We arrived to a beautiful, clear day with bright blue skies.

Check-in: 2:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Given the sheer size of the ryokan, both check-in and check-out times can get quite busy. However, the lobby is spacious, and there are amenities like a play area for kids (Kkaebi, perhaps a mascot or engaging activity for children). This makes the process quite manageable, especially if one person handles the logistics while others relax.

The entire complex is truly massive. Even after a detailed explanation, I didn't quite grasp the full layout and just accepted the map with a nod.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan Grand Bath

Upon arriving at our room, we quickly dropped off our luggage and headed straight to the baths. The scale of the grand bath area was astounding! From the large windows, you could enjoy the outdoor scenery while soaking in the hot springs. It felt like we were looking towards Hell Valley, and if your eyesight was good, you could even spot people walking along the trails. The photo above is from the official website. I didn't even think to bring my phone to take pictures in the bath, but after a quick search for this post, I saw that some people actually did. To get a good shot without disturbing anyone, you’d probably need to go very early in the morning.

This photo of the Dai-ichi Takimotokan open-air bath (rotenburo) is also from their official website, but honestly, it doesn't quite capture the true ambiance. Perhaps it's the night setting, but in reality, the rotenburo felt much brighter and filled with glorious, steaming mist, a feeling that this picture doesn't convey at all. I almost wish I had taken my own photos! (Though, truthfully, taking pictures there isn't easy, and you definitely don't want to inconvenience other guests.)

The sheer size of the bath complex means there's a lot of fun to be had exploring. There are numerous types of baths, allowing you to wander from the outdoor rotenburo back into the grand indoor baths. There's even a swimming pool, which I regrettably didn't get to experience as I hadn't packed a swimsuit. If you're considering a visit, I highly recommend bringing one!

Guest Rooms and Facilities

The room itself was primarily for sleeping, so I wasn't too particular, but it was generally clean and perfectly adequate. It wasn't overly spacious, but comfortable.

Amenities were provided as shown, and the bathroom even had a bathtub. However, with such a magnificent onsen just steps away, there wasn't really a need to use the private tub.

The space consisted of the sleeping area, a table with a TV, and the small area in between. Since we spent most of our time exploring the ryokan and Noboribetsu itself, the limited room space wasn't an issue at all.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan Breakfast

Breakfast, like at many hotels, was served buffet style. One thoughtful detail I really appreciated was this:

You could place this card on your table. While it might not be strictly necessary if you're traveling with companions, it's incredibly useful for solo travelers. It prevents confusion where someone might mistakenly take your seat after you've gone to get food, or your table might be cleared prematurely. Having this simple marker was a brilliant touch.

They offered healthy detox waters, and even baked fresh croissants on-site. As I'm not typically a big breakfast eater, I kept my meal light.

Even with a light meal, I always make sure to save room for dessert!

For more detailed information, you can check the links below:

It's interesting that this Noboribetsu ryokan is available on both Klook and Agoda, so I've included both links for easy comparison.

I've been visiting Japan quite frequently lately, so I decided to skip a trip this winter (2025-2026). However, writing this post makes me yearn to go back! Despite my resolution to take a break, I'm already thinking about planning a more leisurely tour of Hokkaido around this time in 2027. This has been my review of Dai-ichi Takimotokan, and next time, I'll be sure to explore and share my experiences from a different Sapporo Noboribetsu ryokan.