From New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido, to Sapporo is about a 50-minute drive if you take the Hokkaido Expressway straight ahead. However, if you have time and are renting a car at New Chitose Airport, I recommend taking the route via Lake Shikotsu, which offers many sights to see, rather than the direct route to Sapporo.

It's a bit of a detour, but it's a scenic drive that lets you experience the essence of Hokkaido, so why not take a drive while also checking out some of Chitose City's tourist spots?

This time, we'll introduce tourist spots around Lake Shikotsu in the order of the route from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo.

<Contents>
• [Gourmet Information] Chitose Burger
Chitose Outlet Mall Rera
- Chitose Salmon Aquarium
Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs
- Lake Shikotsu sightseeing boat (underwater sightseeing boat)
Shikotsu Lake Visitor Center
Shikotsu Lake Tourist Center
Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival
Final thoughts

[Gourmet Information] Chitose Burger

First of all, although it's not a tourist spot, Chitose City boasts the largest egg production in Hokkaido, and its local burger uses Chitose eggs, which are served at restaurants and hotels in and around Chitose.

Each restaurant offers its own original menu, and most places offer it in limited quantities, so if you come across it during your travels, it's a local delicacy you should definitely try.

(An example of a Chitose Burger)
"Chitose Burger" from "Shikotsu Lake Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta"

"Shikotsu Lake Himemasu Burger" at Kyukamura Shikotsu Lake

Information about Chitose Burger can be found here.
"Chitose Tourism" Homepage
http://www.welcome-to-chitose.jp/tourism/3245.html?slug=t04_00

Chitose Outlet Mall Rera

Chitose Outlet Mall Rera is one of Hokkaido's largest open-air outlet malls, featuring both domestic and international brands. It is located next to JR Minami-Chitose Station, and a free shuttle bus runs from New Chitose Airport. Geographically, it is practically right next to New Chitose Airport. There are also rental car companies in the area, so it might be a good idea to start your trip by visiting here to enjoy some shopping before renting a car and going for a drive.

[Chitose Outlet Mall Rera]
Address: 1-2-1 Kashiwadai Minami, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0123-42-3000
Hours: 10: 00 ~ 19: 00
URL:http://www.outlet-rera.com/

サケのふるさと千歳水族館

This aquarium is located within the "Salmon Park Chitose" roadside station, about a 10-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. When you think of Hokkaido, you probably think of salmon, right? This aquarium is where you can observe salmon and freshwater fish from the northern regions.

It boasts one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Japan and features Japan's first "underwater observation room," where visitors can directly view the waters of the Chitose River. During the salmon run season from September to October, visitors can witness the impressive sight of the windows filled with salmon. The grounds also feature an Indian water wheel (a salmon catching vehicle).

[Chitose Salmon Aquarium]
Address: 2-312 Hanazono, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0123-42-3001
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Closed days: Closed during the New Year holidays and for maintenance.
Admission Fee: Adults: 800 yen / High school students: 500 yen / Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen / Infants: Free
URL:http://chitose-aq.jp/

Lake Shikotsu Onsen

Located on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, Shikotsu Onsen is a small hot spring town with several inns. Many of the accommodations offer a tranquil escape for adults, making it a great place to stay and relax. Of course, there are also facilities where you can enjoy a day trip to soothe your travel fatigue!

[Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs]
Address: Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs, Chitose City, Hokkaido
URL:http://www.shikotsuko.com/
(Shikotsu Lake Hot Spring Inn Association Official Website)

Lake Shikotsu sightseeing boat (underwater sightseeing boat)

Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and beneath the surface lies a cliff-like landscape known as "columnar jointing." This was formed when magma cooled rapidly during the caldera's formation. Underwater sightseeing boats allow you to view this lakebed through the boat's underwater windows. You might even spot schools of kokanee salmon. In addition to underwater sightseeing boats, there are also high-speed boats and pedal boats available.

[Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Boat]
Address: Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0123-25-2031
Operating period: Mid-April to early November
URL:http://www.shikotsu-ship.co.jp/

Shikotsu Lake Visitor Center

Located in the Shikotsu Lake hot spring resort area, this facility uses models and photographs to introduce the animals and nature that inhabit the area around Lake Shikotsu. It's a well-known tourist spot, but it also features a life-size panel of the "Mossy Cave," which is currently closed due to the risk of collapse, as well as a tank for landlocked salmon. It's not a particularly exciting facility, but it's a valuable place to learn about the nature of Lake Shikotsu.

[Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center]
Address: Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0123-25-2404
開館時間：9:00～17:30（4月～11月）、9:30～16:30（12月～3月）
Closed days: Tuesdays from December to March (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday), and during the New Year holidays.

Shikotsu Lake Tourist Center

The Shikotsu Lake Tourist Center, where you can enjoy meals such as kokanee salmon dishes, is a popular rest stop at Lake Shikotsu. With its beautiful views of the lake, it's a recommended place to take a break.

We have rowboats and pedal boats available, so on a nice day, be sure to venture out onto the magnificent Lake Shikotsu. There are small waves on Lake Shikotsu, so rowing a boat can be quite thrilling!

[Lake Shikotsu Tourist Center]
Address: Horominai, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0123-25-2041
Operating period: Early April to early November

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is a representative winter event in Hokkaido, held every year around the end of January.

Sprinklers are used to spray water from Lake Shikotsu onto the framework, creating ice sculptures of various sizes. Due to the water's high clarity, the sculptures appear bluish-white during the day, and at night, the illumination creates a fantastical atmosphere.

The venue features giant slides and other attractions, making it an event that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. If you're visiting the area at this time of year, it might be a bit chilly, but be sure to check it out!

[Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival]
Address: Shikotsu Lake Hot Springs, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Dates: Late January to late February

<Conclusion>

When traveling from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, instead of taking the highway or national road which offers no points of interest, it's recommended to take a short detour and sightsee around Lake Shikotsu.

There are many other tourist spots and sights that we haven't been able to introduce here, so why not consider your trip to Sapporo as part of your sightseeing and take a slightly longer route to drive around Lake Shikotsu?

Because the area around Lake Shikotsu is covered in forests, herds of deer sometimes come out onto the side of the road. When driving, be sure to drive safely, anticipating that deer and other wild animals may suddenly appear.

・A natural wonder just an hour from Sapporo! A summary of sightseeing spots and attractions around Lake Shikotsu!
・A roundup of Chitose tourist spots you'll want to visit on your first or last day of your Hokkaido trip!
・If you're unsure what to do, try these! 3 recommended day trips departing from Sapporo!
・[From Sapporo to Otaru] The charm of a drive through Jozankei, where the fresh greenery and autumn leaves are beautiful♪

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