□To the core city of the Okhotsk block Kitami-city from Tsubetsu-town. Kitami-city is the place of production of the "Kitami peppermint" which occupied 70 percent of the world market in early stages of Showa period. Peppermint is the historical inheritance of this city. As peculiar tourist facilities which are not found in other towns, "peppermint palace" and "peppermint commemoration hall" are located near the JR Kitami station, and "peppermint distillation hall" is near the suburb of Hitokoro. A "peppermint commemoration hall" is what was utilized as the office of a peppermint factory. From the display of numerous artifacts which were actually used during the time, a delicate peppermint smell and the rich history can be felt. The railroad which runs on the side of this commemoration hall is the 2nd sector railroad "Furusato Galaxy Line" (former JR Ikehoku Line). The Okhotsk bloc and the Tokachi bloc are connected.

　Although the peppermint field has disappeared, there are still many peppermint sweets available and are still used as a souvenir of Kitami. Replacing the peppermint, the "Kitami onion" now becomes the representative of Kitami agricultural products. It is the No.1 production in Japan. There is also "onion soup" available as processed goods.

"Broomball"
prosperous in the Okhotsk bloc

□It is a sport on ice, which is similar to ice hockey of the Canadian origin. The sneaker of exclusive use is worn; a ball is manipulated with bloom and directed at the goal. Those who cannot skate can also do this sport easily.

　Saroma-town is the first to adopt this sport. Lovers of this sport increased in number in the Okhotsk bloc, and the broomball association was established by Saroma-town, Omu-town, Kitami-city, Abashiri-city, and Mombetsu-city. The Okhotsk convention and Japan Cup are opened subsequently.

※Please refer to �O for inquiry

A large number of Olympic athletes are also produced！
Experience the mecca of curling.

□After experiencing the world's only "Kitami peppermint", through the Kitami Tokoro line you can reach the Sea of Okhotsk and the Saroma lake facing Tokoro town .

□Not only known as a town of fishing and agriculture, Tokoro-town is also the sacred place of curling.

□A large number of Olympic athletes have been produced from this town. The woman team of Kitami-city of a neighboring town is also playing in an active part of the world convention.

　In the area of the domestic top level of curling, let's challenge curling!
　Curling becomes a formal game from the Nagano Winter Olympics, and attracts attention. General public presentation of the first hole only for inside-of-a-house curling in domestic　(international standard) is carried out. Shoes, a broom, etc. are lent out for nothing and can also receive instructor's instruction (charge). Curling is the game on the ice, pitched against each other by four persons per team. It throws "stone" (about 20kg)", aiming at a "a house (sign of a circle) ", and competes in the nearness to the center for a score.

※Please refer to 23 for inquiry

The previous representative of Japan for curling Nagano Olympic athlete
Salt Lake Olympic Games woman team coach
Mr. Yoshiyuki Omi

□Tokoro-town is prosperous in curling. In primary schools and junior and senior high schools, curling is taken in by lesson and those active service are also in it by his 70's. Moreover, the international competition is also held. If a beginner also practices for 1-2 hours, he will get a game somehow. Although curling is the game on the ice,

　a coat is OK at a wind deflector grade. Power will put in and you will be surprised at condition, the slide of a stone, rotation, etc. It is the game with the deep back which cannot read victory or defeat to the last 1throwing. Please experience the atmosphere.

The Saroma lake of freezing is the hall
Snow Mobile land


□In Tokoro-cho, the "snow mobile land" is held by the hall in the frozen Saroma lake from February to the beginning of March every year.

□Both children and adults can enjoy parasailing besides snow mobile which runs a course variegated from about 1.5km to about 40km, a four-flower buggy, a sports kite, the skiing along which he walks. It is safe for use of snow mobile, and safe to it, since full-time instructor teaches and accompanies. It runs in an exciting way, raising spray of snow.

□At parasailing, it soars high up in the sky using snow mobile, and it can enjoy the view of Okhotsk under its view fully. The four-flower buggy with which vibration which runs a snowy field is transmitted to the limit of the body. Natural search of its own pace is also pleasant on the skis along which he walks. There is also a case of course change and a stop according to the weather, a freezing situation, etc. 2004, since the Saroma lake did not freeze over, the said event itself was stopped.

※Refer to 24 for an inquiry

It is in ceramic art about the recollections of a trip!
Mansion of crafts

□There is the original ceramic art (technique) "drift ice baking (kiln)" in Tokoro-town. What used the ground of a local mountain, a scallop produced in the Saroma lake, an oyster shellfish, the seaweed from Okhotsk, etc. as materials.
□Blue and white are taking out an original atmosphere like the scenery of drift ice.
□At "the mansion of crafts", it is equipped fully with a studio, kiln, etc. and ceramic art can be experienced. Please use as a motif the impression of the drift ice which is visible from this town, and challenge ceramic art, swelling an image.

□It becomes the recollections of a trip of Okhotsk. Also as for a beginner, the hand of an instruction member can receive the initiation. A coffee cup and a hot water cup can be made like only 1 hour and a half. The work baked thoroughly is shipped.

　Moreover, manufacture and sale of pottery are also performed at "the mansion of crafts." "Drift ice baking" etc. of various expression is exhibited by the first floor exhibition room. To Kitami of the stay ground after enjoying the sport of winter, and play in Tokoro-town

※Please refer to 25 for inquiry

Winter is a season!!
Oyster by Lake Saroma.
□An oyster fishery prospers in the Saroma lake in winter.

□For the oyster by Lake Saroma, it is the feature that there are delicate sweet taste with no scums ,although it is smallish. Have the fresh oyster of a place of production.