The second you walk in, the smell hits you hard. That sulfur smell basically tells you, “Yep, this really is Hell.”
Noboribetsu Jigokudani | Review by Alvin 陳
Other Reviews by Alvin 陳
-
Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery
A winery that has been growing grapes for over 100 years on rolling hills with sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and the Kofu Basin. The winery handles everything in-house, from harvesting grapes to winemaking, bottling, and sales. It offers wines that express the terroir unique to this land. Renovated in September 2022, it has been reborn as an even more enjoyable destination for wine lovers.
As soon as you get there, the huge vineyards really grab your attention. The views are amazing, and on a clear day it’s super relaxing—like you can just zone out on the hillside for a while. Everything is kept really clean, and it doesn’t feel like a noisy tourist factory at all. It’s actually pretty quiet.
If you join a tour or do a tasting, it’s a nice experience. The staff’s explanation isn’t stiff, and even if you don’t know much about wine, you can still follow along. The wines lean smooth and easy to drink—not intimidating—so beginners can comfortably give them a try.
-
Mt. Moiwa Summit Ropeway (Observation Deck)
Mt. Moiwa is located near the center of Sapporo. Visitors can reach its 531-meter (1,742-foot) summit aboard a Swiss-made mini cable car designed for viewing the forest. The mountain is also popular among Sapporo residents as an accessible hiking destination, with five trails leading to the summit.
When I made it up to the observation deck, I was honestly blown away. The Sapporo night view is unreal—just a massive sea of lights.
-
-
Farm Tomita
A tourist farm in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, famous for its vast, graceful lavender fields. In addition to its magnificent lavender fields, one of its most iconic attractions is Irodori Field, where vivid bands of purple lavender, white baby's breath, red poppies, and other flowers form a colorful canvas across a gentle slope. The farm features many other flower-filled areas, including Hanabito Field, where colorful flowers such as violas and marigolds bloom, and Hanabito Garden, where nearly 120 types of plants grow together in a small garden.
The lavender fields are massive—seriously intense. Seeing them in person is even more unreal than in photos.
The colors are super saturated, and no matter how you shoot it, it looks like a postcard. -
