The Giant Club at Geyser Sengen Park in Noboribetsu Onsen

posted on May 4, 2015

This place is written as [登別泉源公園] in Japanese.

As you walk through the hot spring town of Noboribetsu, you’ll quickly notice places where steam rises.

The large spiked club sculptures around the park symbolize the demons that inhabit Noboribetsu’s hot spring town. There is no parking here, so it’s best to park at the Jigokudani Tourist Parking Lot just above.

Also, right in front of the Hell Valley Park(Jigokudani), you’ll find Yuzawa Shrine, so why not pay a visit?

According to the park’s explanation, approximately 2,000 liters of water at around 80 degrees Celsius, along with steam, are ejected every three hours, reaching up to 8 meters high. Accompanied by thuds, this display lasts for about 50 minutes each time.

What is Hell?

Hell refers to a world where, according to religious views on life and death, the spirits of those who have committed evil deeds are sent after death to receive punishment. It is believed to be a place of severe torment.

In a simplistic worldview, it is often depicted as located far beneath the ground. While many Japanese people are Buddhists, according to Buddhist teachings, Enama, the King of Hell, judges souls after death, and those found guilty of wrongdoing are said to descend to Hell. In Hell, demons await, inflicting suffering with spiked clubs.

These spiked clubs are displayed here.