New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport (CTS) serves Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's northernmost major city. Located 45 km south of Sapporo in Chitose, it's the main gateway to Hokkaido's powder snow, natural landscapes, and fresh seafood.

The airport has two terminals:

• Domestic Terminal: Extensive network across Japan
• International Terminal: Connected to domestic via walkway

Known for having one of Japan's best airport shopping and entertainment areas.

Key airlines: ANA, JAL, Skymark, Peach, Jetstar Japan, Air Do (Hokkaido carrier), Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, and various Asian carriers.

CTS is connected to Sapporo by direct rail:

• To JR Sapporo Station: 37 minutes by rapid train
• To Chitose city: 10 minutes
• To Niseko ski resort: 2.5-3 hours (bus or train+bus)
• To Otaru: 75 minutes

Uber does not operate at CTS. Use taxis or public transport.

Taxis available outside arrivals:

• To Sapporo center: ¥15,000-18,000 (~$100-120 USD)
• Taxis are expensive for the distance—train is highly recommended

Shared shuttles: Available to Sapporo hotels and ski resorts.

JR Rapid Airport Train (Recommended)

The JR Rapid Airport train connects directly to Sapporo:

• To JR Sapporo Station: 37 minutes
• Cost: ¥1,150 (~$8)
• Frequency: Every 15 minutes
• Hours: 06:00-23:00

1. Follow signs to JR station (directly connected to terminal)
2. Take Rapid Airport train toward Sapporo
3. Clear signage in English

Reserved seats (Uji-Seat): ¥840 extra for guaranteed seat—useful during ski season.

Bus

Hokkaido Chuo Bus and others operate to:

• Sapporo (various hotels)
• Niseko and ski resorts
• Other Hokkaido destinations

Buses to ski resorts are often more practical than trains.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Covered A/B	¥1,000/day	Terminal connected
Multi-story	¥800/day	Short walk
Long-term	¥600/day	Shuttle available

Multi-day caps available. Book ahead during ski season.

CTS is famous for having exceptional airport dining:

Domestic Terminal (3F Gourmet Area):

• Ramen Dojo: 10 famous Hokkaido ramen shops in one area
• Seafood market: Fresh Hokkaido crab, sushi, seafood bowls
• Soup curry restaurants: Sapporo's signature dish
• Royce' Chocolate World: Chocolate factory with viewing gallery
• Numerous other options

Must try:

• Miso ramen: Sapporo-style, different from Hakata
• Seafood-don: Fresh Hokkaido crab, ikura (salmon roe), uni (sea urchin)
• Royce' nama chocolate: Fresh chocolate, famous souvenir

Network: New Chitose Airport Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Excellent
• Easy connection

SIM cards and pocket WiFi available from:

• Telecom Square counters
• Vending machines
• Options: Tourist SIM ¥3,000-5,000 for 7-14 days

Essential if visiting ski resorts with limited WiFi.

ATMs available:

• 7-Eleven ATMs (international cards, English)
• Various bank ATMs

Tip: Stock up on cash—ski resort areas may have limited ATM access.

CTS has exceptional shopping:

Hokkaido Souvenir Area:

• Royce' Chocolate: Fresh chocolate, must-buy
• Shiroi Koibito: Famous white chocolate cookies
• LeTAO cheese tart: Double fromage is legendary
• Rokkatei: Marusei butter sandwich
• Seafood: Fresh crab, ikura, dried fish

Entertainment:

• Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park: Kids love it
• Movie theater
• Onsen (hot spring bath): Yes, there's an onsen in the airport

Best buys: Royce' nama chocolate, Shiroi Koibito, LeTAO cheese tart, Yubari melon products.

ANA Lounge

• Location: Domestic terminal
• Access: ANA Premium, Star Alliance Gold
• Amenities: Views, food, drinks

JAL Sakura Lounge

• Location: Domestic terminal
• Access: JAL First/Class J, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
• Amenities: Quiet space, food, drinks

Royal Lounge (International)

• Location: International terminal
• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or ¥3,500 walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Airport hotels available at CTS; most visitors proceed directly to Sapporo or ski resorts.

Hokkaido is Japan's wild north—known for powder snow, natural beauty, and incredible food:

Top Sapporo attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Odori Park: 45 min—central park, beer garden in summer, snow festival in winter
• Sapporo Beer Museum: 50 min—historic brewery, tastings
• Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade: 45 min—covered shopping street
• Susukino: 45 min—entertainment district, neon-lit nightlife
• Moerenuma Park: 60 min—Isamu Noguchi-designed landscape art park

Ski resorts (world-famous powder):

• Niseko: 2.5-3 hours—Japan's most famous ski resort, international crowd
• Rusutsu: 2 hours—excellent powder, less crowded
• Furano: 2 hours—local favorite, beautiful scenery
• Kiroro: 90 min—deep powder, fewer crowds
• Tomamu: 2 hours—luxury resort, ice village

Day trips:

• Otaru: 75 min—canal town, glassworks, sushi, sake
• Noboribetsu Onsen: 80 min—famous hot spring town
• Asahikawa: 90 min—Asahiyama Zoo (polar bears, penguins)
• Lake Toya: 2 hours—volcanic caldera lake, stunning views

Hokkaido cuisine (Japan's freshest):

• Seafood: Crab (king, snow, hairy), ikura, uni, salmon
• Miso ramen: Sapporo-style with butter and corn
• Genghis Khan: Grilled lamb on dome grill
• Soup curry: Sapporo invention, aromatic curry with vegetables
• Yubari melon: Famous luxury melon, seasonal
• Dairy: Hokkaido produces Japan's best milk, cheese, ice cream

Local tips:

• Winter (December-March): Powder season, but cold (-10°C average)
• Sapporo Snow Festival: Early February, incredible snow sculptures
• Summer: Beautiful (20-25°C), lavender fields in Furano (July)
• Driving: Rental car useful for exploring; be careful in winter
• JR Pass: Worth considering for train travel around Hokkaido
• Ski resort bookings: Essential in peak season (late December-February)
• Food budgeting: Hokkaido is known for fresh, high-quality ingredients—splurge on seafood
• The airport itself is worth arriving early for—excellent food and shopping