Enmadō — Attraction in Noboribetsu

At the heart of Noboribetsu’s hot spring town stands the famous Enmadō, a small shrine dedicated to Enma, the King of Hell. What makes this shrine truly unique is its mechanical statue of Enma, which springs to life at set times during the day.

Enma, known in Japanese folklore as the judge of the afterlife, is portrayed here as both fearsome and wise. When the statue moves, it tells the story of how Enma judges the souls of the departed, rewarding the virtuous with peace and punishing the wicked. Visitors are mesmerized by the dramatic display, which blends folklore with artistry and serves as a reminder of life’s moral balance.

Legend has it that the fiery hot springs of Noboribetsu’s Hell Valley were formed by the wrath of Enma himself. The shrine not only honors this legend but also offers a space for reflection and gratitude for the healing powers of the natural springs.

A visit to Enmadō is a journey into the spiritual heart of Noboribetsu—a place where mythology, tradition, and the wonders of...

Noboribetsu, a short excursion

Having been driving nonstop last few days, we took it easy today and visited a couple of the local sightseeing spots.

Onto a famous Onsen with another red demo. Which apparently changes his facial expression, darn missed it by 5 minutes, but we didn’t want to wait for the 5pm performance, so we moved around that lovely place a bit, which appears to be high on the visitors agenda, due to be seen by a large number of big hotels!

But what I had to try was the a decent soft ice cone, it is being said to be the best in the world, and yes, it was amazingly good! The dairy from this area has a massively good reputation!

One of the scenic spots was the geyser like water spring, which was partially covered. Suggested the wife to take a hot bath, which she usually prefers, but she politely declined!!😇😂😂😂

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Don’t expect too much from the Enmado animatronic in Noboribetsu – just take it for what it is: a fun little local gimmick. It’s basically a big figurine that changes its face a few times a day, usually around the hour. It’s not a huge show or anything wild, so don’t go in expecting something spectacular. A lot of people seem to hype it up and end up disappointed, but if you just see it as a quirky little feature of the town, it’s actually quite fun and charming in...