Ryotei Hanayura Review 2026: Noboribetsu Private Onsen

Noboribetsu is arguably Hokkaido's most iconic hot spring town.

While Hokkaido boasts many charming onsen destinations,

if you are adding a hot spring getaway to your Sapporo itinerary for the first time,

Noboribetsu is personally my top recommendation.

Known for its mineral-rich sulfur springs,

you can experience several different types of high-quality thermal waters in one place.

But above all else,

Noboribetsu is home to Jigokudani, the town's striking symbol,

famously known as Hell Valley.

Usually, traditional hot spring villages

don't have many sightseeing spots directly surrounding the ryokans,

but Noboribetsu is delightfully different.

Through the cracks of barren, rust-colored rocks,

white steam billows up alongside bubbling, boiling hot spring water.

The scale is much larger than you'd expect, creating a wonderfully exotic, otherworldly atmosphere.

Because you can truly immerse yourself in the unique vibe of Hell Valley,

it was an absolute highlight for my parents on our trip.

Getting there is quite straightforward.

Just take a JR train from Sapporo Station to Noboribetsu Station,

and then catch the Donan Bus from there.

However, if you're traveling with heavy luggage

or on a multigenerational trip treating your parents,

grabbing a taxi is a highly recommended alternative.

We took a taxi from Noboribetsu Station directly to our ryokan,

and it cost around 3,000 JPY.

1. Why We Chose Ryotei Hanayura

When visiting Noboribetsu, rather than a rushed day trip,

I highly recommend spending at least one night at a ryokan.

Between soaking in the baths and exploring Hell Valley,

the day slips by much faster than you'd think.

Among the many ryokans in Noboribetsu,

we decided to book our stay at Ryotei Hanayura.

The biggest reason we chose this specific ryokan for our family getaway was

the ability to enjoy authentic sulfur hot spring water right in our private in-room open-air bath.

Finding a ryokan that meets this exact criterion is surprisingly difficult.

Most in-room open-air baths (rotenburo) only use regular heated water.

However, at Ryotei Hanayura,

we could privately enjoy Noboribetsu's signature sulfur water directly in our room.

This was easily the most satisfying aspect of our trip,

especially when traveling with older parents.

My parents were a bit hesitant about using the large communal public baths,

so being able to soak comfortably and privately in their own room

was what they loved the most.

We also booked this place because of the glowing reviews about their food,

so we had high expectations for the kaiseki dinner.

2. Private In-Room Onsen & Dining Experience

The rooms are designed in a classic Japanese tatami style.

Everything was immaculately clean,

and it was more than spacious enough for two people to relax in.

The open-air bath attached to the room allowed us

to gaze out at the serene Noboribetsu landscape

while leisurely soaking in the privacy of our own space.

The distinct aroma and milky texture of the authentic sulfur water were incredible.

Even without visiting the large communal baths,

we were completely satisfied just using our room's facilities.

My parents, in particular, couldn't stop praising it.

If you are looking for a quiet, intimate ryokan

for a Sapporo family trip, this place is absolutely perfect.

The washrooms were neatly maintained,

and the entire room felt exceptionally well-cared for.

Because we were a large family of seven,

we were guided to a private dining room for our kaiseki dinner.

Ryotei Hanayura has a stellar reputation for its kaiseki,

and it absolutely lived up to our high expectations.

The sashimi was incredibly fresh,

and the courses featured a wonderful variety, including Hokkaido-style crab and softshell turtle soup.

The flavors appealed perfectly to our palates.

We ordered some sake to pair with the meal,

and most importantly, my parents were thoroughly impressed with the dining experience.

Being able to dine quietly in our own private room was a massive plus.

For breakfast, you head down to the dining area at your designated time,

where a traditional Japanese set meal is beautifully laid out for you.

They also run a supplementary buffet alongside the set meal,

so you can grab extra portions of whatever catches your eye.

There was a surprisingly wide variety of options,

but the standout was definitely the quality of the raw fish.

They served genuinely fresh, non-frozen sashimi,

making for a hearty and luxurious start to the day.

When traveling with parents, dining can often be a tricky factor to navigate,

but the menu here was full of approachable, delicious dishes that everyone enjoyed.

3. Pricing & Booking Tips

The room we stayed in

(which included the private open-air bath, dinner, and breakfast)

cost around ~$538 per night.

Admittedly, it's not a budget-friendly price.

However, if you view it as a special family vacation

or a meaningful trip treating your parents,

it's a price tag that feels entirely justified by the experience.

If the cost is a bit steep for your whole group,

a great tip is to book standard rooms for yourselves (which are more affordable)

and only book the premium open-air bath room for your parents.

I browsed through several booking platforms,

and Rakuten consistently offered the best rates.

I definitely recommend comparing prices across a few sites before locking it in.

​

Rakuten

Agoda

Trip.com

Hotels.com

If you want to compare prices all at once, the link below is super helpful.

Ryotei Hanayura Deals

If you're searching for a peaceful, refined ryokan in Noboribetsu,

I can't recommend this place enough.

The ability to enjoy authentic sulfur hot springs right in your room

is undoubtedly Ryotei Hanayura's greatest asset.

Rather than the bustling, crowded atmosphere of a mega onsen hotel,

this ryokan is tailored for travelers who want to quietly relax, soak, and indulge in phenomenal food.

If you're currently planning a 2026 family getaway

or a special trip to treat your parents,

this property should definitely be on your shortlist.

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