I woke up in Hokkaido II (Noboribetsu)

Noboribetsu has a village up the hills where giant hotels span and bus loads of tourists arrive at all hours.

It was snowy and freezy when we got there. Just in time for us to don the traditional costume (everybody in the hotel did!) and soak in their famous hot springs.





The sulphur rich steamy bath juice comes from Jigokudani (地獄谷, the hell valley) from behind the hot spring village, named for its barren appearance, overlooked by some well preserved woods blanketed in snow.