Hiroo, on the coast of Pacific Ocean,
is one of the best surfing spots in Japan
that is popular among surfers throughout the country.
In the adjacent town of Erimo,
sea kayak tour to go by Cape Erimo is popular,
along with seal watching.
It is a course to experience the ocean
and to enjoy the bounties of the sea
on west and east of Cape Erimo.
Story4Surfing in Hiroo and sea kayaking in Erimo
<Hiroo town> Surfing at the Funbe Beach
Surfers gather for the waves at Funbe Beach
One of the best surfing spots in Japan
National Highway 336 is commonly known as the “Golden Road.” There are great waves along the coast, and it is a popular “surf point” among local surfers and surfers from all over Hokkaido. Some surfers have moved from the main island for the waves here. Around the estuary of Hiroo River, and between Funbe and Bihoro areas are particularly popular.
- 【DATA】
- Address：Coast along National Highway 336 heading toward Cape Erimo from Hiroo
- Phone：+81-1558-2-0177 (Hiroo town Fishing, Commerce, and Tourism Department)
About 10 minutes
by car
<Hiroo town> goody’s DINER “Sharokke”
A burger created by
arranging a popular local item
“Sharokke” is a fried rice croquette, made with smelt, cheese, rice, and cream sauce. Many restaurants around town offer creative dishes featuring Sharokke. At goody’s DINER, “Sharokke Burger” is popular. Lettuce, tartar sauce, sweet vinegar, and “Sharokke” are served on a bun.
- 【DATA】
- Address: 7-6 Hondori, Hiroo town
- Phone: +81-1558-2-6757
- Business hours: 10:00～19:00
- Closures: Tuesdays
- Parking: Available (6 vehicles)
About 10 minutes
by car
<Hiroo town>
Hiroo Santaland
Acknowledged by Norway,
a first outside of the country
Japan’s only Santaland
Hiroo town received a certification in 1984 by the city of Oslo in Norway as the first Santaland outside of Norway. Daimaruyama Forestry Park, the main symbol zone, has facilities associated with Santa Claus such as “Santa’s house,” and its romantic atmosphere is popular as a “sacred place for couples.” The park is brightly illuminated for the Christmas season. You can enjoy Hiroo’s city flower, Rhododendron, in the park between spring and fall.
- 【DATA】
- Address: 689 Aza Hiroo, Hiroo town
- Phone: +81-1558-2-0177 (Hiroo town Fishing, Commerce, and Tourism Department)
- Business hours: 10:00～17:30 (Santa’s house)
- Closures: End and beginning of the year; April 1st ~ mid-April
- Parking: Available (30 vehicles)
Stop-by menu
Hiroo Fishery Cooperative Association Food Department Store
A wide variety of bounties of the ocean such as salmon, smelt, crab, octopus, and cod roe are sold at direct-sale prices. 4th Sunday of every month is the “Fish Day,” where free soups are distributed (10:00 ~ 11:00).
- Address: 3-38 Kaishomae, Hiroo town (In front of Hiroo Fishing Cooperative Food Department)
- Phone: +81-1558-2-3202
- Business hours: 8:00～17:00 (Saturdays until 12:00)
- Closures: Sundays
- Parking: Available
A Co-op Santa Mura “Santa Soft”
Made with Hokkaido-only milk and ripe strawberries. It has clean sweet and tart, extravagant flavors. It is popular as a soft-serve ice cream representing Santa’s village.
- Address: 18-48 Monbetsu, Hiroo town
- Phone: +81-1558-9-5577
- Business hours: 8:00～19:00 (until 18:30 on Sundays)
- Closures: open year round (Closed on Sundays during November ~ April)
- Parking: Available (5 vehicles)
Kashi Kokado “Santa Ferry”
Repeatedly received Grand Gold Quality Award at Monde Selection, an internationally renowned quality award. A healthy cookie made with cream and milk from Tokachi, and chitosan, an element found in crab shells.
- Address: 9-12 Hondori, Hiroo town
- Phone: +81-1558-2-3243
- Business hours: 9:00～19:30
- Closures: Wednesdays
- Parking: None
Patisserie Ueda “Tuiles”
A thinly backed cookie, also called a Western rice cracker. Popular for the exquisite level of sweetness and doneness, and welcomed as a gift. A famous Western dessert shop, known for fluffy waffles and Maruyama rolls.
- Address: 1-12-2 Maruyamadori Kita, Hiroo town
- Phone: +81-1558-2-3277
- Business hours: 9:00～19:30
- Closures: Sundays
- Parking: Available (5 vehicles)
About 1 hour
by car
<Erimo town>
Erimo no Yado
Tanaka Ryokan
(Japanese style rest house)
Immerse yourself in a rare natural Thoron hot spring
and enjoy a meal with fresh ingredients
It overlooks Erimo fishing port, and has Cape Erimo and Mount Apoi close by. It also offers a day-use hot spring. Thus, it is a perfect lodging place when visiting Erimo. Hot spring is a rare “natural Thoron hot spring.” “Thoron bath element” has the greatest ionizing effect on earth, and is said to have an amazing effect on the body. A variety of course meals featuring sea urchin, whelk, and shrimp are available.
- 【DATA】
- Address：315 Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-2225
- Business hours：Day-use hot spring 14:00～22:00
- Closures：Open year round
- Parking：Available（17 Vehicles）
Stop-by menu
Isami Sushi “Sea urchin, whelk, Botan shrimp bowl”
A Sushi restaurant mainly offering fresh ingredients caught locally. “Sea urchin, whelk, Botan shrimp bowl” is a popular signature dish, in which whelk, along with the locally caught sea urchin and Botan shrimp, is piled on top of the rice.
- Address：86-3 Aza Hon-cho, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-3141
- Business hours：11:30～13:30、16:30～23:00
- Closures：Irregular
- Parking：Available
Awaji Kashiho “Erimo Yokan” and “Rolled Castella”
A unique Yokan with high-quality Konbu (Kelp) and Azuki beans (Red beans) grown in Hokkaido. Rolled Castella is the most popular item. It is popular for its wide selection of items including “bread doughnuts” (available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only) and “loaf bread.”
- Address：251 Aza Hon-cho, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-2366
- Business hours：8:30～19:30
- Closures：Sundays
- Parking：None
Erimo Fisheries Cooperative Association Store
A seafood store operated by the Fisheries Cooperative, located close to the “Todai Park” on National Highway 336. Seafood hauled at the Erimo Fishing Port are sold at great prices. Processed foods, like Konbu (Kelp), and local specialty items are also available.
- Address：650 Hon-cho, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-3939
- Business hours：9:00～17:00
- Closures：Tuesdays
- Parking：Available（15 Vehicles）
Asai Shofukudo “Fresh cream puff”
Everyone smiles in front of delicious food. The name of the store incorporates that fact. Its cream puff is packed with cream, and is very popular among tourists.
- Address：151 Hon-cho, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-2053
- Business hours：8:30～19:00
- Closures：Irregular
- Parking：None
Ramen no Hyakuban “Tsubu (Whelk) Ramen”
A Ramen shop close to Erimo High School. Offers “Tsubu Ramen” loaded with locally caught “Tsubu.” Choose from Menma, jellyfish, and green onions for toppings, and salt, Soy sauce, or Miso for the soup. “Spicy Miso Ramen” is also popular.
- Address：207 Shinhama, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-2-3212
- Business hours： 11:00～20:00
- Closures：Mondays
- Parking：Available（10 Vehicles）
About 15 minutes
by car
<Erimo town> Cliff Kayaks
There are seals nearly within reach
Kayaking around Cape Erimo!
A tour to observe seals fathered on the rocks at the tip of Cape Erimo by kayaking to the spot. Even the beginners can easily manipulate kayaks after a short training session. If you are not confident, you can ride with the instructor. Everyone will be moved by seeing the seals at their eye-level! Yanagida Ryokan (Japanese style rest house) is convenient for those looking for accommodations for the tour.
- 【DATA】
- Address：59 Aza Erimomisaki, Erimo town (Yanagida Ryokan)
- Phone：+81-1466-3-1088
- Business hours：Normally departs at 9:00 & 13:00 (Subject to change with weather)
- Closures：Open daily between 5/1～9/30
- Parking：Available（Yanagida Ryokan・10 Vehicles）
※Reservation is required 1 day in advance
About 10 minutes
by car
<Erimo town>
Tankaku Okoku Maburitto
“Erimo Shorthorn Beef”
A farm restaurant on a hill, overlooking the ocean
Enjoy healthy and delicious “Erimo Shorthorn”
A farm restaurant opened by Takahashi Farm, which raises Shorthorn cattle on Cape Erimo, in order to “directly offer safe and delicious beef.” Mostly free-range Shorthorn cattle, raised on grass exposed to sea breeze and full of minerals, are low in fat and calories. High-protein red meat has higher content of amino acid that determines flavors than a typical breed. As a result, its meat is healthy and flavorful.
- 【DATA】
- Address：406-1 Erimomisaki, Erimo town
- Phone：+81-1466-3-1129
- Business hours：9:00～17:00 (Available by reservation only after 17:00)
- Closures：Tuesdays
- Parking：Available（30 Vehicles）
