New Chitose Airport, located approximately 45 kilometers from the Sapporo city center, is Hokkaido’s largest airport, connected by direct flights to 30 cities in Japan. The airport is used by 17 million people annually, making it the third busiest airport in Japan. Notably, the number of passengers on the Tokyo (Haneda)–Sapporo (New Chitose) route exceeds 9 million annually, making it one of the world's busiest routes. The airport serves an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido.
The airport terminal is home to the “Hokkaido Showroom,” featuring an assortment of stores selling produce, gourmet foods, and sweets from all over Hokkaido. The airport also has a natural hot spring, a theater, and a theme park; even those not catching a flight can have a good time!