Chitose: Nature, Culture and Regional History

When choosing a hotel in Chitose, your trip’s main theme can be a good starting point. Possible interests include regional transportation history, Lake Shikotsu, the Salmon Hometown Chitose aquarium, parks and the Kiusu Shubun Tombs. The following themes highlight different aspects, from historic transportation routes to observing river life.

Transportation History and the Surrounding Landscape

Across the wider region, the history of the Oji narrow-gauge railway connects several places: The railway, also known as “Yamasen,” opened in 1908 and connected Lake Shikotsu, Tomakomai and Chitose. It was used to transport timber for power generation and support tourism at Lake Shikotsu. This historic railway therefore centers on both timber transport and tourism around the lake.

After the railway closed in 1951, its former route began to be used as a cycling path in the 1970s. This distinction in timing is important when planning your trip: the railway is part of transportation history, while the later use as a cycling path represents a separate phase. If you would like to include the path in your plans, check the current route conditions beforehand.

The dimensions of Lake Shikotsu also give a concrete impression of its size: it is about 13 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, with a circumference of around 40 kilometers. Its maximum depth is about 360 meters, and its average depth is around 265 meters. The two depth measurements describe different values and complement the lake’s length and width with another dimension of its landscape.

Salmon and River Life at the Aquarium

The Salmon Hometown Chitose aquarium has one of Japan’s largest freshwater aquariums. Visitors can observe salmon and various freshwater fish from northern regions there. The aquarium also has Japan’s first facility where visitors can directly observe underwater life in the Chitose River. The large freshwater aquarium’s fish are thus complemented by a direct view of the river and its living creatures throughout the year.

A film about the salmon life cycle adds an on-screen portrayal to these observations. The aquarium, underwater facility and film offer different ways to explore the subject: you can see fish from northern regions, observe river life throughout the year and follow the salmon life cycle on screen. Check current admission requirements and screening times before visiting.

Parks and a Wine Tasting

Aoba Park has 17 facilities. These include a library, picnic areas, the Nakayoshi play area, tennis courts, an athletics stadium, a baseball field and multipurpose spaces. There are also tree-lined paths for walking and jogging. The facilities mentioned range from sports areas and a play area to picnic spots and paths.

Michi-no-Eki Salmon Park Chitose has a children’s play area designed by Børnelund. Chitose Winery offers a tasting tour that explores the merits of North Wine. If you would like to take part, check the winery’s official website in advance for registration details and current arrangements.

The Kiusu Shubun Tombs

The Kiusu Shubun Tombs are a large group of nine surviving circular tombs in Chitose City. Part of the site, east of the national highway, is open to the public. There, Jōmon-period tombs can be seen from the ground surface. A visit focuses on the visible tombs and their form; check current visiting conditions for the accessible section before you go.

When choosing a hotel, you can weigh the interests described here: the railway and its former route represent transportation and land-use history, while Lake Shikotsu offers a sense of the landscape’s scale, and the aquarium and Kiusu Shubun Tombs provide different insights into nature and archaeology. The parks and tasting tour add further options for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Shibetsu, Hakodate, Toyotomi, Suttsu, Oshidomari, Soyamisaki, Eniwa, Hamatonbetsu

For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.