To access areas near the airport, you can take the JR train, bus, or rental car. Depending on the location, they offer free shuttle buses. However, we recommend renting a car and enjoying the view as you travel. There are rental car offices in the airport, and they also offer a ride to your vehicle.

You can reach Chitose Outlet Mall Rera in about 10 minutes with the free shuttle bus from New Chitose Airport, and about a 3-minute walk from JR Minami-Chitose Station. There is also a bus that goes directly to the mall from JR Sapporo Station North Exit (800 yen for adults). If you get on the bus you can receive a 500 yen voucher for the mall.

The semi-outdoor shopping mall feels more like a huge amusement park, you can also take your pet along with you (some shops may not allow pets).

Also the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) approved information facility, Travel Salon, offers information for overseas visitors. There is a multilingual staff that can assist you with your needs.

The mall also has a dining section. There is a Raman Museum with many ramen shops and a food court with many local Hokkaido dishes such as soup curry and buta don (pork rice bowl). The mall also has a great selection of gifts. There are famous Hokkaido sweets such as chocolate from Royce, plus Rokkatei confections, and Shiroi Koibito. They also have other Hokkaido gifts like wine and cheese.

There are other facilities like kid’s room, baby room and even a prayer room for Muslims.

Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM (may change depending on the season *some dining facilities open from 11 AM)
Closed: Open daily
Access: 10 minutes on the free shuttle bus from New Chitose Airport
Language Support: English, website has English page

Lake Shikotsu is a freshwater lake in Chitose City. Even in the harsh cold of a Hokkaido winter, the lake surface never freezes, and is said to be Japan’s northernmost lake that never freezes over.

It is the second deepest lake in Japan with a maximum water depth of 360 meters and an average water depth of 265 meters, but its transparency is very high, with an average of around 15 meters.

You can enjoy the beautiful underwater sight by using cruise ships operated along the shore. The beautiful blue lake is breathtaking: early summer reflects the green of the surrounding forest, turning the lake surface emerald green.

To fully enjoy the majestic mountains and forest that surrounds the lake, be sure to drive along Route 16 connecting Chitose City to Lake Shikotsu while coming by car. There is a spa town nearby, too.

A variety of activities can be enjoyed at Lake Shikotsu. In "Shikotsu Guidehouse Kaneo" in the Shikotsu Hot Spring town, there are a variety of canoe experiences available.

For tourists from abroad and for groups with infants and elderly members joining in, there are "private canoing cruising" (1 boat, 26,000 yen) offered, where you can enjoy by private charters. A friendly guide carefully directs you from how you handle canoes to giving hints on superb views.

It is popular among groups because it is possible for virtually anyone to participate and costs are reasonable. After learning how to row a canoe, you soon depart.

Be sure to experience the landscape of Lake Shikotsu with its ultra-clear waters - you can see through to the bottom! - while rowing along at your own pace.

When you gaze into the water from the canoe, you’ll love the sensation that you’re floating in the air. Enjoy exploring around the water for about 2.5 hours and feel the nature of Lake Shikotsu.

The Northern Horse Park is a theme park where you can interact with horses throughout the year in a natural environment.

A popular form of entertainment in Japan is horse racing, and at the park there are many race horses that were part of major races around the world. The park is about 50 hectares (123 acres).

There are around 80 horses of 12 different breeds including ponies and thoroughbreds within the park. People who visit here can casually interact with horses and learn more about horses through activities and events.

An especially popular event in the park is the Riding Show, which was created as a second stage for retired thoroughbred racehorses. The powerful jumps made by the horses are very impressive!

The Happy Pony Show is conducted 2-3 times a day. The humorous interaction between the pony and trailer is something you don’t want to miss.

There are also other various activities such as the Horseback Riding Lesson for beginners (from 2,500 yen), Horse Trekking (5,000 yen) where you explore the natural environment, Assisted Riding Tour (900 yen) where you casually experience horseback riding on a horse led by the staff, and the Horse Carriage Tour (600 yen for adults) where you can experience the charming sound of hooves and pleasant rocking of the carriage.

The park offers various dishes using ingredients from Hokkaido.

The Garden Restaurant offers a view of the beautiful garden and uses seasonal Hokkaido ingredients with the theme of local production and local consumption.

The restaurant offers mainly western dishes such as the Makkari Herb Pork Sauté (1,800 yen). However they also server handmade soba (noodles) which is enjoyed by many people, the soba is made with buckwheat flour from Hokkaido.

You can enjoy your meal while taking in the beautiful view of the garden with a glass of wine selected by the sommelier.

The BBW Restaurant uses IH roasters that prevent smoke and smell. They offer a buffet serving yakiniku, salads, desserts, and other menus that satisfy everyone from children to adults (1,800 yen for adults).

The restaurant seats 500 people and is perfect for large groups. They also offer local dishes like Jingisukan (Mongolian barbecue) and soup curry. If you need to take a break there is a café in the park that offers bread baked in a bakery located in the park, and sweets made with local ingredients.

With a total area of 14 hectares (35 acres), Yuni Garden is the largest British Style garden in Japan. From spring to summer various flowers continuously bloom.

Starting from June there are many pink and purple linaria, from late July there are lily and hydrangea, and from September cosmos are in bloom.

The garden is split in 15 sections such as the traditional British style garden, rose garden, and the special garden with many herbs. These smaller gardens provide a variety of beautiful colors that soothes your mind.

The garden is known as aromatic dating spot and is recommend to couples. The colorful garden provides a happy time.

Another highlight of Yuni Garden is dining. The restaurant Chives offers a lunch buffet (adult, from 1,750 yen) that uses fresh vegetables from the Yuni region. The buffet has over 40 dishes that use plenty of vegetables.

Most dishes such as the Yuni Vegetable Ratatouille Gratin and the Salsiccia and Yuni Vegetable Pepperoncini (spaghetti aglio e olio) use many vegetables and is healthy.

For rice, they use the Yuni brand Yumepirika. Also, their original soup curry with many vegetables is popular. You can blend your own herb tea in the drink section, and it is very popular with female guests.

They have many sweets such as tiramisu and fruit jelly. We recommend strolling through the garden and viewing the flowers after your meal.

Many people who visit Hokkaido utilize the New Chitose Airport. In addition to what we introduced, there are many fascinating sightseeing spots around the area, especially for people who want to feel Hokkaido and its vast nature until they depart. So make sure you don’t forget about time and miss your flight!