With the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen in March 2016, access to Hokkaido has become even more diverse.
But when visiting Hokkaido for sightseeing or business, airplanes are definitely the most convenient option!

New Chitose Airport boasts a wide range of flights to destinations throughout Japan, including the Tokyo Haneda-New Chitose route, which has one of the highest passenger numbers in the world.
Furthermore, as Hokkaido's hub airport, it also operates direct flights to various locations within the prefecture.

While New Chitose Airport is a major transportation hub, did you know that it has recently taken on a new role as an amusement spot?
This time, we'll introduce you to the fun things you can do at New Chitose Airport!

<Table of Contents>
1. Here's a little bit of trivia about New Chitose Airport.
2. Steiff Discovery Walk
3. Smile Road
4. Royce' Chocolate World
5. Doraemon Wakuwaku Sky Park
6. New Chitose Airport Hot Springs
Summary

New Chitose Airport is the gateway to Hokkaido, but why is it called "New" (新)?

The original "Chitose Airport" was a shared airport with the Self-Defense Forces.
However, in the 1970s (roughly the Showa 40s), around the time the Sapporo Olympics were held, the use of air travel for tourism and business increased, leading to a movement to build a dedicated airport for civilian use.

Then, in 1988 (Showa 63), at the end of the Showa era, the civilian-only "New Chitose Airport" opened.

Subsequently, with the opening of the terminal building, parking lot, and JR Shin-Chitose Airport Station, Shin-Chitose Airport has become a massive facility that can be used by many people.
In addition, late-night cargo flights have begun, making it possible to transport Hokkaido's ingredients outside the prefecture while they are still fresh.

The opening of New Chitose Airport significantly boosted tourism and business in Hokkaido.

And now, New Chitose Airport has gone beyond the conventional airport model, creating theme parks, hot springs, and more!
I'll introduce spots that are highly rated by locals and have many repeat visitors!

"Shopping World" is located next to the domestic departures lobby on the 2nd floor of the terminal building, and many people will likely buy souvenirs here.

If you continue further into this area, you will reach the connecting passage to the international terminal.

What you'll find there is the "Steiff Discovery Walk."
This is a small museum showcasing stuffed animals from Steiff, the German company famous for its teddy bears.
The stuffed animals are displayed along both sides of the wide aisle.

This is a must-visit spot for fans, as it features a generous display of Steiff plush toys, a world-renowned brand.

It's like a zoo.
The life-sized plush toys are incredibly impressive.
It's a popular spot for taking photos, and on this day too, many people were taking commemorative photos.

Here, numerous stuffed animals are displayed amidst a miniature German townscape. What's more, they move, so you'll never get bored of watching them.

There's also a corner where you can interact with stuffed animals, which is very popular with young children!

It only opened in April 2016, so it's not very well known yet, but it's a hidden gem that's perfect for letting small children play when you have some free time at the airport!

[Spot Information]
Steiff Discovery Walk
Access: 2nd floor of the airport connecting facility
Hours: 10: 00 ~ 18: 00

On the 3rd floor, one floor up from the domestic departures lobby of the terminal building, you'll find a "gourmet world" including the "Hokkaido Ramen Dojo," which always has a long line, and the "Shiden-dori Shokudo-gai" (Streetcar Street Food Court), which offers a variety of flavors unique to Hokkaido.

If you go further in from there, you will find the "Smile Road" connecting facility.

The entrance is the "Sweets Zone," which is a hidden gem that is relatively uncrowded even when the domestic terminal area is crowded.
The familiar "Starbucks Coffee" is also located here.

Further inside, you'll find "Royce' Chocolate World."

When it comes to souvenirs from Hokkaido, Royce's chocolate is a prime example.
This is the Royce Museum. It displays the history of chocolate and other related topics.

However, the most eye-catching attraction is probably the chocolate factory, which you can tour through glass!

Here you can see the chocolate being made right in front of you!
The sight of chocolate being made using the latest machines has captivated not only children but also adults!

The chocolate made here is sold in the shop right next door.

They also have chocolates exclusive to Chitose Airport, so it's recommended for those who want to bring back unique Hokkaido chocolate souvenirs!

There is also a bakery in the area.
Because there are few shops and Royce's bread is rare even locally, it can be purchased here at New Chitose Airport, so it's always bustling with local customers.

Among them, I highly recommend "Gouter," which has an entire bar of chocolate sandwiched inside.
Because it's a type of bread that only Royce can make, it's extremely popular.

[Spot Information]
Royce' Chocolate World
Access: 3rd floor of the connecting facility
Hours:
Bakery: 9:00 AM - 20:00 PM
Factory hours: 8:30 AM - 17:30 PM
For inquiries, please call: 0120-612-453
home page:http://www.royce.com/contents/world/

Next up is "Doraemon Wakuwaku Sky Park".

As you get further away from the domestic departures lobby, this is a spot that is rarely visited by domestic package tour passengers.
However, it gets crowded with local families on holidays.

While there is an entrance fee to enter the main "Park Zone," there are also plenty of free facilities available.

The "Workshop" where you can experience Doraemon-themed crafts and the "Kids Free Zone" where kids can play freely are corners for families, but the "Library" with its collection of manga and the cafe with Doraemon-themed menu items can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults as well!

Especially at the cafe, you can enjoy not only dorayaki, but also cafe lattes with character latte art, and even the "Memory Bread" that everyone longed for as a child, so it's sure to be a lot of fun!

Furthermore, the shop offers a wide selection of airport-exclusive goods, including chocolates created in collaboration with Royce', making it a great place to find a unique Hokkaido souvenir!

[Spot Information]
Doraemon Wakuwaku Sky Park
Access: 3rd floor of the connecting facility
Hours:
Shop 10:00-18:30
Cafe: 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM (Last order: 1 hour before closing)
Park Zone: 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM (Last entry: 30 minutes before closing)
Admission fee: Adults 800 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students 500 yen, Elementary School Students and younger 400 yen, Children under 2 years old free
For inquiries, please call: 0123-46-3355

New Chitose Airport also has a hot spring.
It's a small but authentic hot spring resort with a spacious open-air bath.

The spring water is a sodium chloride spring. Because the water is weakly alkaline, your skin will become smooth while you're soaking in it.

The hot spring water is drawn daily from a source within Chitose City and transported to the airport; it is genuine natural hot spring water, highly regarded even by the discerning residents of Hokkaido.
It's also a quietly popular spot for business people who frequently travel both within and outside Hokkaido to relax.

I myself am a repeat visitor to this hot spring.
Whenever I have some free time on my way back from a trip outside of Hokkaido, I usually stop here to relax and rejuvenate.

The facility offers a wide range of relaxation treatments. It also has well-equipped nap rooms and offers overnight stays, but due to the limited number of rooms, it's a popular spot that can be difficult to book during peak seasons.

[Spot Information]
新千歳空港温泉
Access: 4th floor of the domestic terminal building
Business hours: 10:00 to 9:00 the next day
Admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,500 yen
*Additional charges apply for late-night and early-morning baths. Please see our website for details.
For inquiries, please call: 0123-46-4126
home page:http://www.new-chitose-airport-onsen.com/

Summary

What did you think?
This is an amazing amusement spot, you wouldn't think it was an airport!
In addition, there's Japan's first airport movie theater, "Jaga Pokkuru Theater," and in short, there are plenty of spots to keep you entertained all day long.

The places I've introduced here are often difficult to visit on group tours, but they are all perfect spots for relaxing and unwinding.
When traveling to Hokkaido on a personal tour or family trip, be sure to consider this as a stopover point!

[Check these out too]
11 Must-Buy Souvenirs at New Chitose Airport! Selected by a Hokkaido Travel Planning Specialist!
・A complete guide to the must-try foods at New Chitose Airport!
Things you should know when renting a car at New Chitose Airport!

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