Photo credit: New Chitose Airport official website

New Chitose Airport’s lounges fall into two broad categories — “card lounges” and “airline lounges” — and which facilities you can use also depends on whether you’re before or after security.

The short answer: if you’ve just arrived and are waiting to be picked up, the only lounge you can use is the “Super Lounge” (3F), located before security. It’s free with an eligible gold card, or ¥1,500 without one. After security, your options are the JAL and ANA lounges for their respective elite members.

Note: The information in this article is current as of August 2026. Prices and hours of operation are subject to change, so please check each lounge’s or the airport’s official website for the latest details.

New Chitose Airport Lounge Basics: Card Lounges vs. Airline Lounges

New Chitose Airport’s lounges fall into two broad categories: “card lounges” and “airline lounges.”

Item	Card Lounge	Airline Lounge
Eligibility	Gold card or above, or paid entry	Elite members, premium class passengers, etc.
Location	Before security (public area)	After security (restricted area)
Soft drinks	Free	Free
Alcohol	Paid	Free (some lounges)
Snacks	Paid or not offered	Free (some lounges)
Wi-Fi / power outlets	Available	Available

There are currently six lounges in operation:

• Domestic, before security: Super Lounge (3F), Super Lounge Annex (4F)
• Domestic, after security: JAL Sakura Lounge, ANA LOUNGE
• International, after security: Royal Lounge, Café Sky Library

Note that the “North Lounge,” which was on the international side, closed permanently on June 30, 2026, and is no longer available.

The key to choosing a lounge at New Chitose Airport is first checking whether you’ve just arrived or are about to depart, and then whether you’re before or after security.

Also Great After Arrival: Super Lounge (3F)

Because it’s located before security, the Super Lounge (3F) is the only lounge you can use after arrival. The airline lounges after security (JAL Sakura Lounge, ANA LOUNGE, etc.) are reserved for passengers about to board, so they can’t be used after you’ve landed.

• Location: 3rd floor, Domestic Terminal Building
• Hours: 7:00 AM–8:30 PM (open year-round)
• Price: ¥1,500 (tax included, soft drinks included) / free with an eligible gold card
• Seating: 140 seats (all non-smoking, smoking room available)

It’s a good spot to unwind right after landing, or to pass the time while waiting for a pickup. The windows offer a full view of the runway, so you can watch planes take off and land while you relax.

Note that the official website doesn’t specify pricing for companions, so it’s best to check with airport staff in advance.

Lounge vs. Café: Which Is Better for Working or Killing Time?

Many travelers wonder whether it’s worth paying ¥1,500 for a lounge or just heading to a café instead. Here’s a comparison by purpose.

Comparison	Paid Lounge (Super Lounge, etc.)	Airport Café (Pronto, etc.)
Price	¥1,500 (soft drinks included)	Drink price only (a few hundred yen)
Power / Wi-Fi	Available at every seat	Varies by shop (Pronto, etc. have it)
Quietness	Quiet (be mindful of conversations/calls)	Can be lively depending on the shop
Long stays	Comfortable for extended stays	May feel awkward when crowded
Web meetings / calls	Generally discouraged as a courtesy	Possible at some shops if you keep your voice down

• If you want something simple for a few hundred yen: an airport café (Pronto, etc.) is a good choice. They have power and Wi-Fi, longer hours, and keep costs down.
• If you want a quiet space to focus for a long stretch, or need to take a web meeting: the Super Lounge Annex (with private booths) is a better fit.
• If you value soft drinks plus a calm space: ¥1,500 for the lounge is a reasonable investment.

See our complete guide to New Chitose Airport cafés

Domestic Lounges Before Security: Comparing the Super Lounge and the Annex

There are two card lounges available before security.

Super Lounge (3F)

This is New Chitose Airport’s longest-running card lounge. Soft drinks are complimentary, while alcohol, snacks, and boxed meals can be ordered for a fee. The lounge includes a smoking room, washrooms (with a multi-purpose restroom), phone booths, a dressing room, and a business area with wired LAN, along with access to newspapers, books, and e-book services. There is no shower facility.

Eligible gold cards span more than 20 issuers, including JCB, Diners Club, VISA, AMEX, Rakuten Card, Epos Card, d Card, PayPay Card, and AEON Card.

Super Lounge Annex (4F)

This newer lounge opened in April 2025, and shares the same pricing, hours, and eligible cards as the Super Lounge (3F). It has fewer seats overall (81), but offers a wider variety of seating types — 4 private booths, 11 semi-private seats, and 10 big-table seats — all equipped with power outlets and USB ports. Calls and web meetings are allowed at every seat, making it a great fit for business travelers who need to focus. Outside food is permitted (excluding strongly scented items), and luggage lockers are available.

The Annex tends to be quieter than the 3F Super Lounge during busy periods, so it’s the better choice if you’re looking for a calmer environment.

Domestic Lounges After Security: JAL Sakura Lounge and ANA LOUNGE

After security, you can use the JAL and ANA airline lounges.

JAL Sakura Lounge

• Eligibility: JAL First Class passengers, JAL Mileage Bank Sapphire members and above, JAL Global Club (JGC) members, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald members
• Paid access: Available for a ¥3,000 entry fee (cash only) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for flights departing between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM
• Amenities: Complimentary alcohol (beer, whisky, etc.), soft drinks, and snacks

ANA LOUNGE

• Eligibility: ANA Diamond, Platinum, and Super Flyers members (up to 1 companion free), Star Alliance Gold members (up to 1 companion free), ANA Premium Class passengers (up to 1 companion free)
• Paid access: ¥4,000 per person (tax included, credit card or cash)
• Amenities: Complimentary alcohol, including Hokkaido-exclusive Sapporo Classic, and soft drinks

International Lounges: Royal Lounge and Café Sky Library

There are two lounges on the 4th floor of the International Terminal.

Royal Lounge (Shared Airline Lounge)

This is a shared airline lounge available only to those who meet the eligibility criteria set by each airline — primarily business class passengers and alliance elite members. It’s open 7:30 AM–9:00 PM (year-round) with 231 seats, and offers alcohol, soft drinks, snacks, and a shower room.

Café Sky Library (Priority Pass Accepted)

This is an open facility that’s free to enter for general travelers as well. It’s located before the departure immigration area (inside Porto Museum International Hokkaido), so domestic passengers can drop by too. It has 44 seats and a collection of books themed around Japanese art, culture, and travel. Food and drinks must be ordered separately from the café menu. Hours are typically 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (extended to 11:00 AM–10:00 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays). Priority Pass and Dragon Pass members can also use it, but should check with their pass provider regarding pricing for pass holders.

Recommendations by Purpose

If you want free access with a gold card

The domestic Super Lounge (3F) or Super Lounge Annex (4F) both qualify. Choose the Annex if you want a private booth, or the Super Lounge for a more spacious environment. There is currently no card lounge on the international side offering free entry with a gold card (since the North Lounge closed).

If you don’t have an eligible card

The domestic Super Lounge/Annex can be used by anyone for ¥1,500. If you have a Priority Pass, you can use the international Café Sky Library (open to the public, free of charge).

If you want to take a web meeting or get work done

The Super Lounge Annex (4F) is your best bet. Calls and web meetings are allowed at every seat, and there are private and semi-private booths available.

If you’re traveling with children

The Super Lounge (3F, public area) has more seats, making it easier to find space for the whole family to sit together. Since it’s before security, it’s also easier to access the multi-purpose restroom.

Beyond Lounges: Hot Springs and Telecube

If you’d rather refresh yourself or focus on work than sit in a lounge, these facilities are also worth considering.

• New Chitose Airport Onsen (Domestic 4F): Open 10:00 AM–9:00 AM the next day (23 hours a day), admission is ¥2,600 for adults (includes a yukata, bath towel, and hand towel), discounted to ¥1,300 during early morning hours (5:00–8:00 AM). Since the Super Lounge has no shower facility, this is a convenient option if you want a proper refresh.
• Telecube (private smart-work booths): Reservation-based private booths well suited for web meetings and focused work. A good fit for business travelers who want a quieter environment than a lounge offers.

NearMe Is Also a Great Choice for Getting To and From New Chitose Airport!

When heading to New Chitose Airport, we recommend using NearMe, which takes you directly from any location of your choice with no transfers.

Overview

NearMe is a flat-rate shuttle service that picks you up directly from your home, hotel, or any location of your choice and takes you straight to the airport. It has served over 1.45 million cumulative passengers, with a rider satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 (based on results from October 2019 to May 2025). By choosing a “shared ride” with other passengers, you can save up to 80% compared to a regular taxi.

• Shared ride: from ¥4,980 per person
• Private ride (flat-rate hired car): from ¥14,800 per vehicle

How to Use It and Pricing

Between Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport, here’s what you can expect in terms of pricing and travel time.

Mode of transport	Approx. price	Travel time	Notes
NearMe (shared ride)	About ¥4,980	About 45 min+	Includes highway tolls, door-to-door
Limousine bus	About ¥1,300	About 65 min+	Requires travel to/from the bus stop and waiting time
Taxi	About ¥19,760	About 45 min+	Expensive for 1–3 passengers; pickup and highway fees extra
Private car	About ¥3,730	About 45 min+	Pickup and highway fees extra, risk of full parking

Pricing by pickup/drop-off area is as follows (per-person price for shared rides):

Pickup/drop-off area	NearMe	Reference taxi price
Sapporo City (Higashi, Nishi, Kita, Chuo, Shiroishi, Kiyota, Teine, Atsubetsu, Toyohira wards)	From ¥4,980	From ¥8,400
Sapporo City (Minami ward)	From ¥5,480	From ¥10,600
Niseko Town / Kutchan Town	From ¥22,800	From ¥36,800

How to Save Even More

• Early-bird discount: Book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted price
• Shared-ride discount: Discounted pricing when you have a co-rider or when the date/time and route make one easy to match
• Group discount: Up to about 70% off per person as group size increases
• Children ride at half the adult fare, and infants ride free
• One suitcase free; additional large luggage is +¥2,000 per item
• Earn ANA, JAL, or Starflyer miles when you use a shared ride
• Full refund guarantee in case of flight delays

NearMe Is a Great Fit If You…

• Live somewhere far from the airport, such as within Sapporo City or the Niseko area
• Feel uneasy driving, or would rather avoid driving on snowy roads
• Have a lot of luggage, making train/bus transfers a hassle
• Are heading to the airport with family or friends
• Are flying on an early morning or late-night flight

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Which lounge can I use right after arrival?

A. The Super Lounge (3F), located before security, is the only lounge available to travelers who have just arrived or are waiting for a pickup. It’s open 7:00 AM–8:30 PM.

Q. Is the North Lounge still available?

A. No. The “North Lounge,” which was located in the international terminal, closed permanently on June 30, 2026, and is no longer available.

Q. Which is better for working, a lounge or a café?

A. If you want something simple for a few hundred yen, a café (Pronto, etc.) is a good option. If you need a quiet space to focus for a long time or want to take a web meeting, the Super Lounge Annex (with private booths) is a better fit.

Q. How much does it cost to bring a companion?

A. The official website doesn’t specify pricing for companions, so it’s best to check with airport staff in advance.

Q. Is there a lounge I can use with a Priority Pass?

A. Yes, the international Café Sky Library is available. However, you should check with your pass provider for specific pricing details when using a pass.

Q. I’d like to take a shower — is one available at the lounges?

A. The Super Lounge (3F and 4F) does not have shower facilities. If you’d like to shower, we recommend the New Chitose Airport Onsen on the 4th floor of the domestic terminal.

Summary

When choosing a lounge at New Chitose Airport, the basic approach is to first consider whether you’ve just arrived or are about to depart, and whether you’re before or after security. The Super Lounge (3F) is the only option available after arrival, while after security your choices center on the JAL and ANA lounges for elite members. If you’re unsure whether ¥1,500 is worth it, choose the lounge if power, Wi-Fi, and quiet matter most to you, or a café if you’d rather keep costs down.

And when heading to New Chitose Airport, be sure to consider NearMe for door-to-door travel. Especially if you’re coming from within Sapporo City or the Niseko area, it can be significantly more affordable than a taxi. We hope this guide helps with your next trip to Hokkaido.