Toyota Motors Shibetsu Proving Ground

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Toyota's test track.

In response to the increasing exports of vehicles to countries with a diverse range of climates and the need for performance testing at high speeds, construction began of the Shibetsu Proving Ground in Shibetsu City, Hokkaido. Requirements for the candidate location were at least 15 days a year of temperatures minus 20 degrees (Celsius) or lower, two months or more with at least 50 cm of accumulated snow, and a straight at least 3 km long to perform high speed testing. With the cooperation of Shibetsu City, in May 1982 Toyota purchased approximately 5 million square meters of land in Onnebetsu-cho, one of the locations that met the requirements. The first phase of test course construction began with facilities including a 5 km cold weather circuit, which was completed in October 1984. Construction of a subsequent 10 km circuit was completed in 1987, and all originally planned facilities were completed in 1992. The company also purchased land for expansion in 1992, bringing the total area of the Shibetsu Proving Ground to 9.3 million square meters.