Take a bus from Noboribetsu JR station. Get off at Hell Valley, or Dai-Ichi Tokimotokan Hotel.
This is a nice area to view the hot spring scenery, particularly in the winter when it is snowing. There was a strong smell of sulphur around the hot springs. Walk up the track for the opportunity to see more and have a look at the large hot spring lake.
There are two choices of routes, one is longer and one is shorter. There are maps and directions to help you out along the way.
Remember to go to the bathroom in the visitor center before embarking on the up-hill hiking.
After walking back to the hotel, walk down along the road and you will find many shops selling souvenirs and snacks. There is also a modern fortune-telling stall, with a large red king-of-hell statue with mechanic shows.
If you do not stay in the area with all of the hotels, please be warned that the buses back to the rail station does not run frequently after 3pm-4pm, and the roads on teh hills are too dark and too narrow to walk back.
From journal Hokkaido, Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, Jouzantei