【Hiroo, Hokkaido】Experience Santa Land: A Winter Night Illuminated by Lights and Lanterns

Spread across a hill in Hiroo, Hokkaido, “Santa Land” is Japan’s only officially certified “Santa’s Village,” recognized by the city of Oslo in Norway. In winter, the entire forest is wrapped in illumination, creating a magical world that feels like stepping into a Nordic fairy tale.

It’s an ideal spot for those who want to capture photogenic shots, look for Santa goods available nowhere else, or enjoy a warm, cozy moment with someone dear to them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the origins of Hiroo Santa Land, its highlights, and how to enjoy it throughout the four seasons.

Officially Recognized by Oslo — Japan’s Only Santa Land

Santa Land was born in 1984, when the city of Oslo in Norway recognized Hiroo as “a town that cherishes love, peace, and children’s dreams,” granting it the only such designation in Japan. This recognition is also proof that Hiroo has embraced the spirit of Northern Europe — the “home of Santa Claus” — while working as a community to build a warm and welcoming town.

While honoring the philosophy of the original Santa Land in Norway, Hiroo has continued to operate its own version for over 40 years, aiming to be “a town many people dream of visiting and living in.”

A Magical Illumination Beginning with the Lighting Ceremony

The highlight of winter at Santa Land is the illumination lighting ceremony, held every year on the fourth Saturday of October.Locals and visitors gather at the venue, quietly waiting for the moment the lights turn on as the evening sky gradually darkens.

In 2025, the lighting ceremony will be held on October 25. Before the lights come on, a mini concert is held, with music adding a festive touch to the venue.

At the signal for the countdown, about 150,000 bulbs light up all at once. Cheers and applause ring out — it’s the moment smiles spread across the night in Hiroo.

Lights spread from Santa’s House and the Bell of Love to the trees throughout the forest, illuminating the entire area.

It’s not just the illumination that brightens the night sky. Around 10,000 wooden lanterns, installed with the help of local residents, also create a truly breathtaking scene.

Wooden lanterns handcrafted by residents.

Rows upon rows of wooden frames lit from within stretch out across the ground, shining like stars scattered over the earth. This world of light, where warmth and brilliance coexist, is one of Santa Land’s most captivating charms.

Countless lanterns brightly illuminate Santa Land at night.

The Santa Land illuminations continue from the lighting ceremony through early January of the following year. They are lit again from Valentine’s Day (February 14) to White Day (March 14), gently coloring Hiroo’s nights right up until the end of winter.

It’s especially recommended for those in search of photogenic spots.

Highlights Around Santa Land

The buildings and monuments scattered throughout the forest are all symbols of Santa Land. “Santa’s House,” the “Bell of Love,” and “Santa’s Room” each have their own stories and warmth, gently welcoming every visitor.

Santa’s House

With its distinctive white triangular roof, “Santa’s House” is the central spot of Santa Land. Inside, the wooden interior is filled to the brim with Christmas goods and ornaments, creating an atmosphere that makes your heart dance no matter where you look.

Cute Christmas items line the shelves as far as the eye can see.

Limited seasonal items and adorable little goods delight the eyes of visitors. There is also a rest area inside, making it a great place to take a break in the middle of your walk.

【Santa’s House | Opening Hours】

Bell of Love

The “Bell of Love,” located a short walk up the hill, rings out with a clear tone through the forests of Hiroo. It’s said that ringing it together with your partner, family, or friends will “deepen your bonds,” making it a popular spot among visitors.

Santa’s Room

“Santa’s Room” feels like the very space Santa Claus might step back into at any moment.

Inside, you’ll find red costumes and hats, boxes of presents, and more, with careful attention paid to every detail. Children’s eyes sparkle when they visit, and even adults are transported back to fond memories. It’s a place where you can quietly feel Santa’s presence and enjoy a moment that feels like a dream or a touch of magic.

Enjoy Santa Land All Year Round

The appeal of Santa Land isn’t limited to winter. Surrounded by rich nature, the area reveals a different face with each season.

In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery spread across the hillside, and the gentle breeze that blows over the hill relaxes your mind. In summer, people cool off on benches in the shade of the trees, enjoying birdsong and forest bathing. In autumn, colorful foliage blankets the area, and as preparations for the lighting ceremony begin, the forest quietly welcomes the arrival of winter.

In every season, you’ll find a gentle flow of time where the spirit of Santa and the nature of Hiroo blend together.

From early summer through autumn, one of the highlights is “Santa Hill,” a perennial flower garden lovingly tended by residents. Opened in 2012 and named through a public contest, the hill is home to around 20 varieties of flowers that bloom from June to September.

Sage, echinacea, rudbeckia, and other flowers change the scenery with the seasons, wrapping the entire hill in vivid gradations of color.

The exact timing of the blooms may vary depending on the weather, but part of the charm is discovering a different palette of colors every time you visit.

In the adjacent Daimaruyama Forest Park, you can enjoy picnics, barbecues, forest walks, and other nature experiences that change with the seasons. Santa Land is a soothing Hiroo destination you’ll want to visit throughout the year.

A “Santa Forest” That Warms the Heart All Year Long

With the winter lighting ceremony as its starting point, the forests of Hiroo fill with light and smiles. But the charm of Santa Land continues long after the snow has melted. In summer, autumn, and winter, different “gentle landscapes” await you in each season.

On your next trip, why not come to this Santa Forest and light a small, warm flame in your heart?

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