Ōyunuma River natural foot bath

Dip your feet in a hot-spring river in the woods

Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath is where hot sulfur water flowing out of Oyunuma, Noboribetsu’s explosion-crater lake, becomes a river running through the forest — an entirely natural foot bath. Boardwalks, a handrail and sitting mats line the bank; take off your shoes and the ~40 °C sulfur water flows past your feet. It is about 10 min along the river from the Oyunuma car park, or 20–30 min on the trail from the Jigokudani lookout, passing the Oyunuma viewpoint and small cascades.

Tips & cautions

- In winter (roughly Nov–Apr) the trail is often closed by snow and the bath may be suspended when the water cools — check the tourist association site.

- Space is tight; share when busy. The sulfur smell is strong and lingers on feet — bring several towels.

- Beware sulfur gas if you have respiratory issues. Do not drink the water.

- No lighting — dangerous after dark. Brown-bear country: carry a bell or radio.

- The ¥500 parking is shared with Jigokudani — park there and walk for best value.

Getting there

Donan bus toward Noboribetsu Onsen / Ashiyu-iriguchi ~15 min from JR Noboribetsu Station to “Ashiyu-iriguchi”, then 5 min on foot. By car ~10 min from Noboribetsu-Higashi IC to the Oyunuma car park (¥500), then ~10 min walk. 20–30 min on foot from Jigokudani.