Beautiful Day in Noboribetsu

Was a beautiful day in Noboribetsu and there was no way that I  could stay inside.

Look at the above photo and guess where I was today..

The answer is "park golf" field in dairy farm area of Noboribetsu.

It was my first time to play a mini golf.

I can say this with confidence that you can view the absolute beautiful scenery with the wide ocean view.

A hang-glider was flying over the field.

Super cool to look at!

I won't mention my score...

coz' don't wanna spoil those beautiful photos, he he... :P

Backstage of Noboribetsu Hot Spring

We, Noboribetsu locals, are very proud of our Hot Spring for its quality and volume, however, many of us don't have any idea about how it works behind the scene. I had a rare opportunity to be guided to the backstage of Noboribetsu Hot Spring.

There is a hot spring keeper's company who manages, controls, provides, maintains the hot spring. With their dairy effort, Noboribetsu remains as No.1 hot spring town.

Seeing is believing, hey....

This is a photo of one of the sources. The water is actually boiling and the place is extremely hot with steamy sulfurous mist. The temperature was 90C degree at the time I visited.

The pipes are used to provide 100% pure hot spring to each hotel. Inside the pipe, the minerals contained in the water make chemical reaction and turn into iron sulfide and that causes the pipe to be blocked. The hot spring keepers ensure to remove what-they-call "hot spring scale" so that the water is provided to each hotel without any worries.

Here's another photo of the very rare spot. This is the inside of control room in one of the famous hot spring provider. The water temperature keeps changing depending on the volcano activities. With those temperature indicators, keepers can tell how to control the temperature and bathers can enjoy the nice hot water.

The opportunity itself was a treat, however, I had this special treat too! The keeper kindly boiled egg in the hot spring and gave it to me. I of course enjoyed it on the spot overlooking the source of hot spring, and the taste was just exceptional!!

Favorite Lunch-time Hang-outs

"Kuma san" is the name of this place, locating on the road to Noboribetsu Onsen, approx. 7min. drive away.  I always thought negatively that the place is nothing but a low-grade joint trying to attract tourists who are too hungry to eat anything.  My mate, Abe-chan and I decided to be brave to pay a visit. Because we're sort of bored with all those place we regularly go eat lunch and needed something new. With too many signs in front, we were quite suspicious as well as curious, however, no expectation....... 

The place sellls all sorts of second hand stuff and there is a small space for eating. Whilst waiting for our order, it is fun to walk around in a shop and look at old fashioned items such  as old music records and magazines. All those gadgets are quite a taste and are neatly displayed and makes me feel that I am in a candy store and have too many to choose from.

I truly love to be in this place with so many bric-a-bracs surrounding me :)

Here's my lunch, curry with rice. Not bad at all for 500yen.

Strongly recommended for curry lovers!

Also had my afternoon tea :P

Had a really nice herb tea with a yummy sweet potato.

This big guy hangs around and entertains you if you need a company........

"Hell" Festival

Over the weekend, we had the exciting "Hell" Festival in Noboribetsu Onsen area!

Stands with sizzling foods and beer, scary looking ogres (we call them "oni") wandering around, march band parading on the main street, dance craze, fun, fun, fun!

Red Ogres and Blue Ogres , "Noboribetsu Hot Spring Keepers", come out from "Hell" Valley to greet locals once a year. We held the festival to demonstrate our appreciation that we still have a rich hot spring in Noboribetsu.

is the story we draw so we have a reason ( or excuse?) to have a ball for both visitors and locals, he he....