New Chitose Airport (CTS) Guide: More Than Just a Gateway to Sapporo – A Local’s Tips

Hey there! Welcome to Sapporo, and welcome to Hokkaido!

I’m a local, been living in Sapporo for 40 years now. Today, I want to chat a bit about New Chitose Airport (CTS), the place most of you will likely use as your gateway to Hokkaido.

You might be thinking, “An airport is just a place to catch a plane, right?” Well, hold on a sec. New Chitose Airport has undergone some amazing renovations recently, and it’s really more than just a transport hub now. Honestly, you might even find it more convenient and enjoyable than some actual tourist spots.

Let me give you the inside scoop, from a local’s perspective, on the real charm of this often-overlooked airport!

Why is New Chitose Airport Special? It’s a Destination in Itself!

What makes New Chitose Airport a bit different isn’t just its size, but how it packs in the “best of Hokkaido.” It’s got so much going on that you might actually want to arrive early or spend extra time here on your departure day, not just kill time waiting for your flight.

1. A Food Lover’s Paradise: Hall of Hokkaido Gourmet (Must-Try Hokkaido Gourmet)

When you think of Hokkaido, delicious food definitely comes to mind, right? At New Chitose Airport, you can dive right into some of Hokkaido’s finest eats as soon as you arrive or just before you leave.

Can’t-Miss for Ramen Fans: The “Hokkaido Ramen Dojo”

This area gathers popular ramen shops from all over Hokkaido, featuring Sapporo Miso, Asahikawa Shoyu (soy sauce), Hakodate Shio (salt) ramen, and more. Each shop has its own unique, delicious style – you might have trouble choosing! Personally, I’m a fan of the rich Miso ramen.

Freshness is Key! Seafood Delights (Fresh Seafood)

There are plenty of sushi and seafood bowl (kaisendon) restaurants too. Don’t underestimate them just because it’s an airport! It’s great being able to casually enjoy the incredibly fresh seafood Hokkaido is famous for. Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) places are easy to pop into and recommended. Actually, I’ve tried both the casual conveyor belt spots and the slightly fancier counter sushi places at the airport, and honestly, both are pretty satisfying.

Sweet Treats & Souvenir Heaven (Sweets & Souvenirs)

Hokkaido is also a kingdom of sweets! You can find limited-edition treats from famous patisseries and direct stores from popular confectionery makers. For example, cheesecake from LeTAO (This is their Japanese site; you might want to use your browser’s translation feature), chocolate from Royce’, and cheese tarts from Kinotoya are perfect as souvenirs or a treat for yourself. Many shops offer free samples, so try a few!

2. Never Boring! Entertainment & Relaxation Spaces

It’s not just about eating. New Chitose Airport has plenty of facilities for both adults and kids to enjoy.

Soothe Your Travel Fatigue: “New Chitose Airport Onsen” (Spa)

Believe it or not, there’s a full-fledged hot spring (onsen) facility right inside the airport! It has open-air baths and saunas. It’s perfect for refreshing before a flight, and staying at the Air Terminal Hotel, located right in the airport, is also highly recommended. I actually stayed at this hotel once before a trip to Tokyo. I went to the onsen late at night, and it was exceptional! As it gets later, the airport quiets down, giving it a special kind of atmosphere. Walking through the spacious, near-empty airport towards the onsen felt like exploring a giant secret base – it was surprisingly thrilling! Don’t you think airports have a bit of that secret base vibe? (Haha) The onsen itself was spacious, clean, and incredibly relaxing.

Catch a Movie! “Ja-ga Pokkuru Theater” (Movie Theater)

Apparently, there’s even a movie theater showing the latest films. I’ve never been myself, but it could be a good option if you have plenty of time before your flight or just need a change of pace. Maybe give it a try if you have the time!

Popular with Families: Amusement Fun (Family Fun)

There’s the “Royce’ Chocolate World,” where you can watch chocolate being made through glass windows (it’s quite fascinating!), and the “Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park,” themed around the famous Japanese character Doraemon (Do you know him?). These spots are likely to be a big hit, especially if you’re traveling with young children.

For Plane Spotters & Killing Time: The Observation Deck

Also, it might be standard for an airport, but the observation deck near the food court is a great place to unwind. You get a close-up view of planes taking off and landing. It’s a nice way to pass the time while waiting for your travel companion to finish souvenir shopping or before your flight, just watching the planes. I have a habit of heading straight to the deck to watch the planes whenever I visit the airport (haha). If the weather’s nice, you get a pleasant view of the distant mountains too.

3. Shopping Paradise: Find Hokkaido Exclusives!

Choosing souvenirs is part of the fun of traveling, right? At New Chitose Airport, honestly, I think you could find almost any Hokkaido souvenir you’re looking for right here. The selection is huge – almost overwhelmingly so!

Hokkaido Limited Items

Snacks, character goods, local crafts you can only buy here… it’s fun just to browse.

Famous Brands

Of course, there are also shops from well-known domestic and international brands, so you can enjoy some window shopping too.

If you want specific ideas on what souvenirs are good, feel free to check out my review article on recommended Sapporo souvenirs. I’m pretty honest in there (haha).

4. Best Access to Sapporo City: JR is the Way!

Getting from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo city is straightforward. Honestly, unless you have a very specific reason not to, taking the JR Rapid Airport train is the best way to go.

JR Rapid Airport Train

This is the fastest and most punctual option. The station is directly connected to the basement level (B1F) of the airport, so it’s easy to find. It takes about 37-40 minutes to get to Sapporo Station. During the day, trains run roughly every 12 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long. Unless you have a compelling reason otherwise, this is your best bet. There are other options, but considering timeliness and reliability, I strongly recommend the JR.

• Fares & Timetables: Check the official JR Hokkaido website (English page) for details. Please note that fares and schedules are subject to change, so always double-check the latest information before you travel.

If you want more detailed access information or specifics on how to ride the JR, check out my article summarizing access from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo City.

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I’ve covered quite a bit here, but to be perfectly honest, New Chitose Airport has so much more charm packed into it than I can possibly cover in just one article. There are many more restaurants, plus countless shops and convenient services I haven’t even mentioned.

A Few Local Tips

About Crowds

As you might expect, the airport gets quite crowded during peak seasons like summer vacation (late July-August), the winter Snow Festival period (early February), and Japanese national holidays (like Golden Week or New Year’s). Check-in counters and security can have long lines, especially during morning departure rushes and evening arrival peaks, so give yourself plenty of time. Lately, with the increase in international tourists, the entire airport often feels very busy. On weekends, sometimes you can’t even get into the parking lot if you just wanted to pop in for some shopping, so be especially mindful if you’re driving. Conversely, early mornings and late nights tend to be less crowded.

Spending Time at the Airport

If you have an early morning or late-night flight, staying at the airport hotel I mentioned earlier is incredibly convenient. It reduces travel stress and lets you enjoy the airport facilities at a leisurely pace.

Conclusion: New Chitose Airport – The Perfect Start & Finish to Your Hokkaido Trip!

So, what did you think? Did I manage to convey that New Chitose Airport is more than just a place to catch your flight? Eating delicious food, relaxing in an onsen, hunting for souvenirs… having an airport where you can spend such fulfilling time before or after your flight is pretty rare, even globally, I believe.

I truly hope you start your Hokkaido journey enjoyably, deliciously, and comfortably right here at New Chitose Airport. And when your trip ends, I hope you savor Hokkaido to the very last minute and take home plenty of wonderful memories!

Enjoy your trip to Hokkaido!