Oyunuma River Natural Footbath

At Oyunuma, a sulfur spring of about 130 degrees gushes from the swamp. This spring and the hot water spouted from the Taisho hell’s geyser merge to create the Oyunuma River, where people come to rest their feet. Since the water here is mixed, the temperature becomes just right for bathing and makes for a very enjoyable foot bath. Unlike conventional foot baths, there is no roof, no circulation equipment, and as its name suggests, it is a genuine natural footbath. The temperature is not controlled artificially by heating or adding water, so the water temperature varies depending on where you are on the stream.
At Oyunuma River, there is also the explorer’s sidewalk Tansho hodou. It is a scenic spot where you can enjoy the fresh greenery from spring to summer and see the Yunokawa river reflecting colorful leaves in autumn. It's not every day you can soak your feet while bathing in the light fluttering in through the forest trees. The area is connected by walking paths and you can walk to Oyunuma, which is the source of the footbath, and to the Okunoyu, another hot springs spot on the other side. During winter, the trees may thin, but the snowy scenery is a sight to behold. At Noboribetsu Park Service Center at the entrance to Jigokudani (Hell Valley), you can check out rainboots for free, so be sure to stop by.