Hiroo Town
The town of Hiroo is located at the southernmost point of Tokachi. With the abundant Pacific Ocean to its east and to the Hidaka Mountains rising to its west, Hiroo has developed around its fishing industry which takes advantage of the rich natural environment. The Port of Tokachi, a major port in the area, is expected to contribute to the town’s further development. Hiroo also became the first place outside of Norway to be designated as a “Santa Land” by the city of Oslo in 1984.
During the Christmas season, the Hiroo Santa Land is lit up with colorful lights and romantic. Even in the summertime, however, visitors can enjoy the feeling of Christmas at Santa’s house in Omaruyama Forest Park. The area around the Golden Road (Japan National Route 336) running from the Hiroo River, which was selected as having the clearest water by survey of the Ministry of the Environment in 2014, to Erimo Town has been designated as Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-national Park and the drive along the Golden Road is a refreshing one.
