Among the many places we visited in Hokkaido, noboribetsu ranked as the most relaxing and i absolutely adore the use of Japanese demons as the key selling point for the famous onsen village.
The demons were everywhere and their iconic weapon (i.e. cudgels / clubs) was regularly featured. There's even a gigantic cudgel located right within the biggest hotel in the area; Dai-ichi Takimotokan!
It's maybe about 6-8 meters tall and i initially brushed it off as a decorative item as it didn't appear to serve any other purpose other than being big, thick and golden.
I only noticed there's more to the cudgel on the second day i walked past it; there's a loud melody being played and while i was checking out to see what it us, the cudgel started 'opening'! Wah! I didn't know there were secret compartments!
Like cuckoo clocks, the figures (known as automatons) in the top compartment moved according to the melody as they were the designated monster musicians.
I don't know what's the storyline like but i am imagining it's in relation to Momotarō (桃太郎); a legendary hero in Japanese folklore. It kind of reminds me of a Taiwanese movie called 新桃太郎; anyone (born before 1982) remembers it? To jolt your memory, a low-resolution version of the movie can be found here.
Anyway, the free musical 'performance' happens hourly and takes less than 10 minutes; do check it out if you happen to be in noboribetsu! The hotel is literally next to hell valley; hence, it's not hard to find.
For those who would not be going to Hokkaido any time soon can catch the performance above. The video is courtesy from another visitor who has uploaded it to YouTube!
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Location
Within Dai-ichi Takimotokan,
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
For our itinerary (8 days, 7 nights) to Hokkaido in summer, click here.