Photo credit: New Chitose Airport Official Website

New Chitose Airport is known as a “stay-and-play airport” where you can spend a whole day enjoying food, shopping, a hot spring, and even a movie theater. With about 180 shops and facilities, the airport itself is impressive enough to be a travel destination in its own right. What’s more, areas just 15-40 minutes away by car, such as Lake Shikotsu and Northern Horse Park, are packed with stunning spots that capture the essence of Hokkaido.

In short, the biggest appeal of New Chitose Airport is that you can choose either to stay within the airport or venture out to the surrounding area, depending on how much time you have.

*This article is based on past reporting and information as of August 2026. Business hours and prices are subject to change, so please check each facility’s or the airport’s official website for the latest information.

Spending Time at the Airport | Recommended Spots by Time Available

New Chitose Airport has about 180 shops and facilities, so you can choose how to spend your time depending on how long you have.

Spots to Enjoy Quickly Within 30 Minutes

• Observation Deck (Domestic Terminal Building, 4F): Open for a limited period each year from April 1 to November 30. You can take in the full view of the runway and watch takeoffs and landings with binoculars (¥100 per use). Even during the winter closure, you can see the runway from the window seats of the 3rd-floor food court.
• Airport History Museum / Oozora Museum (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F): A free museum where you can learn about New Chitose Airport’s history and aviation culture. It’s made up of three zones: the History Zone, the Gallery Zone, and the Symbol Zone.
• Steiff Discovery Walk (Connecting Facility, 2F): A soothing spot where you can experience the world of the stuffed animal brand “Steiff.” It features motion displays recreating German townscapes and plenty of photo spots.

If You Have 30 Minutes to an Hour | Take a Break with Shopping or Sweets

• Royce’ Chocolate World (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F & Connecting Facility): Home to Japan’s first chocolate factory inside an airport. You can watch the chocolate-making process through glass, and the museum is free to enter. The airport-exclusive “Royce’ Pop Choco” and “Royce’ Flower Chocolate” are especially popular.
• Shopping World (Domestic Terminal Building, 2F, inside Center Plaza): One of the largest shopping areas in New Chitose Airport. Hokkaido specialty confectioners like LeTAO, Tokachi VALLEYs, Shiroi Koibito, and Rokkatei are all gathered here.
• Snow Miku Sky Town (Domestic Terminal Building, 4F): A shop and museum dedicated to Snow Miku, a character who champions Hokkaido. Admission is free, and you can enjoy displays of past visuals and limited-edition merchandise.

For 1-2 Hours! Taste Authentic Hokkaido Flavors

• Hokkaido Ramen Dojo (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F): Home to 10 popular ramen shops from around Hokkaido. From “Ebisoba Ikkan” and “Teshikaga Ramen” to “Menjo Shirakabasanso,” you can compare miso, salt, soy sauce, and tonkotsu ramen side by side.

If You Have More Than 2 Hours! Make the Most of the “Stay-and-Play Airport”

• New Chitose Airport Onsen (Domestic 4th Floor, inside Oasis Park): The only bathing facility where you can stay until morning. It’s equipped with indoor and outdoor baths, jet baths, a dry sauna, and a mist sauna, and you can also take a nap in the relaxation room.
• New Chitose Airport Theater (Domestic 4th Floor, inside Oasis Park): A full-fledged movie theater equipped with a 4K high-resolution projector. You can spend time before or after your flight in spacious, comfortable seats.

Model Course at the Airport | How to Enjoy a 3-Hour Stay

Here are three plans to make the most of your 3 hours at New Chitose Airport.

Plan 1: Hokkaido Ramen Dojo Course

• Compare ramen at Hokkaido Ramen Dojo (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F)
• Coffee break at Toa Coffee House (Domestic Terminal Building, 2F)
• Souvenir hunting at Sato Suisan and Kitakaro (Domestic Terminal Building, 2F)
• Bar break at Zeus Look & Tally (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F)

Plan 2: Royce’ Chocolate World Course (Great for Dates)

• Factory tour and souvenir shopping at Royce’ Chocolate World (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F)
• Lunch at Soup Curry GARAKU (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F)
• Soft serve ice cream break at Kinotoya (Domestic Terminal Building, 2F)
• Browse Hokkaido goods at Craft Studio (Domestic Terminal Building, 2F)
• Cafe date at Morihiko AIRPORT (Domestic Terminal Building, 3F)

Plan 3: New Chitose Airport Onsen Course

• Relax at New Chitose Airport Onsen (best to visit in the morning to avoid the crowded evening hours)
• Enjoy a drink after your bath at Milk Stand Hokkaido Kono Sha
• Buy seafood and sake souvenirs at Gyoren and Hokkaido Honpo

Sightseeing Spots Around the Airport | In Search of Hokkaido’s Stunning Scenery

If you have half a day or more to spare, we recommend venturing out to the surrounding area, 15-40 minutes away by car.

Spots to Enjoy Nature

• Lake Shikotsu (about 40 minutes by car): Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake, a stunning spot known for its distinctive blue color called “Shikotsu blue.” Sightseeing boats with underwater observation rooms and canoe touring are popular here.
• Lake Okotanpe (about 50 minutes by car): A mysterious lake whose water color changes depending on the season and time of day. You can take in the stunning view from the observation deck.
• Northern Horse Park (about 15 minutes by car, with a free shuttle bus from the airport): A theme park where you can interact with horses. Enjoy sightseeing carriage rides and horseback riding lessons.
• Chitose Salmon Aquarium (about 10-15 minutes by car): One of Japan’s largest freshwater fish aquariums. A highlight is the “underwater observation zone,” where you can view the Chitose River directly. It’s located next to the roadside station “Salmon Park Chitose.”

Seasonal Highlights

• [Spring] Canola flowers in Abira Town (about 30 minutes by car): Fields of canola flowers in full bloom from late May to early June.
• [Summer] Ogawa Farm (about 15 minutes by car): Enjoy strawberry picking and a giant sunflower maze from late July.
• [Autumn] Eniwa Gorge (about 40 minutes by car): A gorge where the autumn foliage is at its best around mid-October.
• [Winter] Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: A fantastical festival featuring ice sculptures made from the waters of Lake Shikotsu.

Recommendations by Purpose

For Those with a Short Wait (30 Minutes to 1 Hour)

In addition to free spots like the observation deck and the Airport History Museum, we recommend souvenir shopping at Royce’ Chocolate World.

For Couples on a Date

We recommend “Plan 2,” which lets you enjoy a full sequence of experiences from Royce’ Chocolate World to a soup curry lunch and a cafe date.

For Those Traveling with Children

Horseback riding at Northern Horse Park and observing creatures at the Chitose Salmon Aquarium are popular. Within the airport, Steiff Discovery Walk and Snow Miku Sky Town are also big hits with kids.

For Those Taking Early Morning or Late Night Flights

New Chitose Airport Onsen is the only bathing facility where you can stay until morning, making it ideal for napping and refreshing before or after your flight.

NearMe Is Also a Great Way to Get To and From New Chitose Airport!

When heading to New Chitose Airport, be sure to use NearMe, which takes you directly from any location of your choice with no transfers required.

Overview

NearMe is a flat-rate shuttle service that picks you up directly from anywhere you like, such as your home or hotel, and takes you to the airport. It has served over 1.45 million total bookings, with a rider satisfaction rating of 4.6/5.0 (based on results from October 2019 to May 2025). With “shared rides,” where you ride together 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, you can expect the following prices and travel times.

Mode of Transport	Approximate Price	Travel Time	Notes
NearMe (shared ride)	About ¥4,980	About 45 min~	Includes expressway tolls, door-to-door
Limousine bus	About ¥1,300	About 65 min~	Requires travel to/from and waiting at the bus stop
Taxi	About ¥19,760	About 45 min~	Expensive for 1-3 people; pickup and expressway fees extra
Private car	About ¥3,730	About 45 min~	Pickup and expressway fees extra; risk of full parking

To Get an Even Better Deal

• Early bird discount: Book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted price
• Shared ride discount: Discounted pricing when conditions (date/time and route) make it easy to find or already have fellow passengers
• The first suitcase is free; oversized luggage is +¥2,000 per item
• Earn ANA, JAL, or StarFlyer miles when you use a shared ride

NearMe Is a Great Fit If You…

• Want to travel with plenty of time to spare while also sightseeing nearby at places like Lake Shikotsu or Northern Horse Park
• Feel unsure about driving, or don’t want to drive on snowy roads
• Have a lot of luggage, like suitcases, making train/bus transfers a hassle
• Are heading to the airport together with family or friends

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I enjoy sightseeing at New Chitose Airport without leaving the airport?

A. Yes. New Chitose Airport is a “stay-and-play airport” with about 180 shops and facilities, so you can enjoy half a day to a full day within the airport alone — from the observation deck, Royce’ Chocolate World, and Hokkaido Ramen Dojo, to the hot spring and movie theater.

Q. Where should I go if I want to build a sightseeing course from New Chitose Airport?

A. Popular choices include Northern Horse Park and the Chitose Salmon Aquarium, about 15 minutes away by car, and Lake Shikotsu, about 40 minutes away by car. We recommend combining airport and nearby spots depending on how much time you have.

Q. How should I spend my time waiting for an early morning or late night flight?

A. New Chitose Airport Onsen is the only bathing facility where you can stay until morning. Since you can also nap in the relaxation room, it’s convenient for adjusting your schedule before or after a flight.

Q. Are there any spots that are fun for families with children?

A. Within the airport, Steiff Discovery Walk and Snow Miku Sky Town are popular with children, while Northern Horse Park and the Chitose Salmon Aquarium are popular options nearby.

Q. When it comes to getting to New Chitose Airport, which is the best deal — train, taxi, or NearMe?

A. Between Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport, a NearMe shared ride costs from about ¥4,980, roughly a quarter of the price of a taxi (about ¥19,760).

Summary

New Chitose Airport is a “stay-and-play airport” complete with an observation deck, Royce’ Chocolate World, Hokkaido Ramen Dojo, a hot spring, and a movie theater. Its appeal lies in being able to enjoy either a plan that stays entirely within the airport or one that extends out to nearby areas like Lake Shikotsu and Northern Horse Park, depending on how much time you have.

Also, be sure to use NearMe for door-to-door travel when heading to New Chitose Airport. It’s especially recommended for those who want to build a relaxed schedule that also includes sightseeing nearby. Give it a try the next time you use New Chitose Airport.