Japan/Hokkaido: Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka Hell Valley

Moving on to southern Hokkaido – Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka Hell Valley. This is Hokkaido’s version of Yellowstone with a large valley ill of steaming sulphuric fumaroles, colorful clay and earth, boiling lakes, and puffing steam vents. Everything is organized and safe distance from boardwalks is observed (this ain’t wild wild Russia). It’s all actually part of a larger open volcanic crater crater. And just down from the valley is the famous Noboribetsu Onsen or Hot Springs where one can try sit down into scalding hot water surrounded by naked Japanese men that don’t mind boiling their private parts alive.