Dai-ichi Takimotokan
by the TopOfHotel team
Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the best onsen ryokan in Noboribetsu — a giant bathhouse of dozens of pools, scoring 9.4 overall.
Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the best onsen ryokan in Noboribetsu — a giant bathhouse of dozens of pools, scoring 9.4 overall.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
We close the Noboribetsu list with the town's legend — Dai-ichi Takimotokan, the best onsen in the best onsen town in Hokkaido. It has run since 1858 and is still the first name Japanese travelers reach for when Noboribetsu comes up. Rooms span a wide range, from classic tatami-mat rooms to suites with a view over Jigokudani, so you can pick the tier that fits your trip.
Food and amenities
The thing that made Dai-ichi Takimotokan a legend is the onsen. It is a giant bath complex with dozens of pools, covering all five mineral-spring types Noboribetsu has — sulfur, iron, aluminum and saltwater among them. The building is large enough that you can wander it for an hour. For anyone who lives for the soak, this is hard to find anywhere else, and the onsen category scores 9.7. Dinner is course-by-course kaiseki, served one plate at a time, and the ryokan runs at top-tier service level.
Location and getting there
The ryokan sits directly beside Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the source of Noboribetsu's mineral water, which vents sulfur steam all day. You can walk from the ryokan to Jigokudani and to the boiling mud of Oyunuma without getting in a car — a clear edge over the other places in the district. The ryokan sits in the center of the onsen district, reached by bus from Noboribetsu Station.
Things to know before booking
This is the most expensive stay on this list, with rates running from about $120 up to $286 a night. The bath complex is enormous, which is exactly the appeal, but it gets genuinely busy at peak times. And because this is the top-scoring ryokan in town, rooms fill fast in high season and over holidays, so book well ahead.
Our take
Dai-ichi Takimotokan is best for couples and families who want their Noboribetsu onsen trip to be the best it can be. Real guest scores top out at 9.4 — the highest on this list — and the number backs up the claim that this is the top of Noboribetsu. We recommend it with confidence, as the way to close out the best onsen town in Hokkaido, and for many people it is worth treating as a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A giant onsen with dozens of baths covering all five mineral-spring types Noboribetsu produces — sulfur, iron, aluminum and saltwater among them. The onsen category alone scores 9.7.
- Location is special: the ryokan sits directly beside Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the source of the town's mineral water. You can walk to the steaming vents and the boiling mud of Oyunuma without a car.
- The highest real guest score on the entire list at 9.4 — the number that confirms it really is the top of Noboribetsu.
- A landmark ryokan that has run since 1858, with top-tier service and the first name Japanese travelers think of for Noboribetsu.
- Comfortable rooms from classic tatami to Jigokudani-view suites, plus quality course-by-course kaiseki dinners.
- The most expensive option on this list, with rates running from about $120 up to $286 a night.
- The bath complex is enormous, which is the appeal, but it gets genuinely busy at peak times.
- Rooms fill fast in high season and over holidays — this is the top-scoring ryokan in town, so book well ahead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Set aside real time for the baths — there are so many pools you can explore the complex for an hour.
- Walk over to Jigokudani, right next to the ryokan, in the morning before the day crowds arrive.
- Book far in advance — as the highest-scoring ryokan here, rooms sell out quickly.