Located in Noboribetsu (Noboribetsuonsencho), Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a 2-minute walk from Jigokudani and 13 minutes by foot from River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. This 4-star ryokan is 3.1 mi (5 km) from Date Jidaimura and 4.8 mi (7.8 km) from Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe.
Take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as hot springs, an indoor pool, and a waterslide. Additional features at this ryokan include complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of Dai-ichi Takimotokan, or stop in at the snack /deli. Wrap up your day with a drink at the /lounge.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 387 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers, complimentary toiletries, and bidets. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Guests staying in premium room types can use a dedicated priority lane for check-in.
"If you're coming to Noboribetsu for the onsen experience, Dai-ichi Takimotokan gets many things right.
The location is exceptional. Sitting right beside Hell Valley (less than 3mins walk to main entrance) + shops around the resort offers one of the most iconic onsen settings in Japan. Service throughout the resort was warm, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. The property is well maintained, and cleanliness standards were consistently good throughout my stay.
The highlight, without question, was my room with a private onsen overlooking Hell Valley. Waking up to steam rising from the volcanic landscape while soaking in mineral-rich waters is one of those travel moments that stays with you long after you've returned home.
The Grand Onsen is another standout. While parts of the facility feel a little dated, it remains one of the largest and most impressive onsen complexes I've personally experienced. The variety of baths, minerals, temperatures, and views makes it a destination in itself.
Where the resort falls short is the food. My Kaiseki dinner was underwhelming and lacked the refinement and wow factor I had expected as the first 2 dishes were pre-laid out b4 my arrival. Private Breakfast was acceptable but forgettable. Neither meal was bad, but neither was memorable, especially by Japanese ryokan standards.
A word of caution for fitness enthusiasts: the ”fitness room” is more symbolic than functional. Calling it a gym would be generous. If maintaining a serious workout routine is important during your travels, you'll likely be disappointed.
Overall, Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a resort I would recommend for its location, private onsen rooms, and spectacular bathing facilities rather than its culinary offerings. Come for the healing waters and views of Hell Valley; set your expectations lower for the dining experience.
My rating: 4.2/5
Private Onsen Room: 9.5/10
Location: 9.5/10
Grand Onsen: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Cleanliness: 8.5/10
Kaiseki Dinner: 5/10
Breakfast: 5/10
Fitness Room: 1/10
In one sentence:
”A legendary onsen resort with one of Japan's most impressive bathing experiences, elevated by private Hell Valley views, but held back by average dining and a questionable fitness room."