Where to Go Next from Noboribetsu: Exploring Central Southern Hokkaido Without a Fixed Plan

You’ve just soaked in the healing waters of Noboribetsu Onsen, one of Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring towns. Now what?

If you’re aiming to explore the central-southern region of Hokkaido, the choices may feel overwhelming. Lake Toya? Muroran? Shimukappu? Niseko? There are too many options—especially for travelers without a car.

This guide breaks down:

• The most practical next destinations
• How to get there by public transport or car
• Real traveler experiences to help clarify your path

Let’s get you unstuck.

🧭 Quick Guide: Where Can You Go Next from Noboribetsu?

🚆 How to Get to Lake Toya from Noboribetsu (Recommended Option)

Lake Toya is one of the easiest and most scenic places to visit from Noboribetsu.

Option A: By Bus (Recommended)

• Operator: Donan Bus (道南バス)
• Route: Noboribetsu Onsen → Toyako Onsen
• Time: ~1 hour
• Cost: ~¥1,700
• Scenery: Lake, volcano, farmlands

Option B: By Train + Bus

• JR Noboribetsu → JR Toya Station (~30 min)
• Then Donan Bus (~20 min to Toyako Onsen)
• Total: ~1 hour, 15 minutes

💡 Pro tip: Buy a combined ticket at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal to save time and avoid confusion.

🚉 How to Reach Muroran (Coastal Route)

Muroran is a port city with an industrial history and stunning cliffs.

• Train: JR Muroran Line from Noboribetsu (~40 minutes)
• Highlights:
  • Cape Chikyu (地球岬) observatory
  • Hakucho Bridge (lit up at night)
  • Cheap local izakayas

Ideal for a half-day trip or stopover on your way to Hakodate.

🚌 What About Niseko or Shimukappu?

These areas are more remote but well worth it.

To Niseko:

• JR Noboribetsu → Oshamanbe (~1 hr)
• Transfer to JR Hakodate Line → Niseko (~1.5 hrs)
• Bus alternatives possible via Sapporo

⛷ Best for: ski resorts, international cafés, quiet luxury

To Shimukappu:

• JR Noboribetsu → Minami-Chitose (~1.5 hrs)
• Transfer to JR Sekisho Line → Tomamu Station (~1 hr)
• Taxi or hotel shuttle to resort

🌲 Best for: off-grid retreats, forest hikes, stargazing

🧳 Real Traveler Experiences

1. 🚍 One-Way to Lake Toya, With No Plan

A solo traveler on 4Travel.jp shared their spontaneous trip:

• Bought a one-way bus ticket from Noboribetsu to Lake Toya.
• No hotel booked—just walked around Toyako Onsen and found a ryokan.
• Visited Mt. Usu’s ropeway and was surprised by the crater views.
• Commented: “I didn’t know where I was going that morning. It turned out to be the most peaceful part of my Hokkaido trip.”

2. 🚴‍♂️ A 37-Year-Old Memory: Cycling Over Orofure Pass

A Japanese blogger recounted a journey from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu:

• Crossed the mountainous Orofure Pass by bicycle.
• Passed volcanic landscapes, misty forests, and few people.
• “It wasn’t about the destination,” they wrote. “It was the sound of my tires, the quiet, and the climb.”

These stories remind us that sometimes, uncertainty leads to the best discoveries.

🗺 When You’re Not Sure Where to Go

Here’s how to make progress when you’re stuck:

1. Choose a Theme, Not a Place

Instead of picking a name on the map, try asking:

• Do I want water (lake, sea, river)?
• Do I want elevation (mountains, volcanoes)?
• Do I want silence (forests, farms)?

2. Pick Based on Transport Ease

You’re in Japan—timing is freedom. Use what’s available:

• Bus leaves at 10:15 to Toya? Go there.
• Train toward Muroran runs hourly? Ride it and decide later.

3. Embrace the Middle Ground

Not every journey needs a final goal. From Noboribetsu, 30 minutes in any direction leads to:

• Lava landscapes
• Windy cliffs
• Onsen towns with no tourists

Let proximity be your guide.

🔍 Reflection: Choosing to Not Choose

Sometimes the hardest part of travel is deciding.

But indecision isn’t always a flaw—it can be an invitation.

1. The Strength of the Unknown

In a hyper-planned world, not knowing your next stop can feel radical. It creates space for serendipity.

2. Hokkaido Rewards the Drifter

Unlike urban Japan, Hokkaido has open roads, empty seats on buses, and locals who don’t rush you.
It’s a place where being “a little lost” feels natural.

3. Stillness as a Destination

A traveler once wrote:

“I came to Hokkaido to see things. But what I gained most was time not doing anything.”

Choosing between Lake Toya, Muroran, Niseko, or nowhere at all…
There’s no wrong answer—only the next step.

🧾 Final Summary

Wherever you go from Noboribetsu, let your curiosity and pace lead the way.

🔗 References

• Donan Bus Timetables
• Noboribetsu Onsen Official Access
• 4Travel: Noboribetsu to Toya Trip
• Orofure Pass Cycling Memory (Rakuten Blog)