Chitose River (Chitose Gawa)
Sapporo, Hokkaido
The Chitose River (Chitose Gawa) in Hokkaido—Japan's second largest island—flows from Lake Shikotsu through the center of the city of Chitose and past Ebetsu before eventually joining the Ishikari River northeast of Sapporo. For travelers visiting Sapporo, the river and its surroundings offer the opportunity to get out of town and go biking, fishing, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, or canoeing in the summer, and skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.
The basics
The town of Chitose, a jumping-off point for exploring the river, lies 27 miles (44 kilometers) southeast of Sapporo. The river flows through Chitose Aoba Park, a good starting point for taking casual hiking trails and bike paths, and can be viewed underground from the Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium. During the summer, a popular 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) canoe run takes you to the north end of town past the aquarium.
Things to know before you go
Paths along the riverbank are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter.
Fishing enthusiasts will find kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and white-spotted char in the river.
Although the river is clear and clean, parts flow through sewage treatment and power plants—avoid these areas.
How to get there
The headwaters of the river at Lake Shikotsu are about 75 minutes south of Sapporo along Route 453, and 30 minutes west of Chitose—these are your top destinations for exploring the river. Trains including the Hokuto and Rapid Airport lines run to Chitose from Sapporo often, making the trip in about 35 to 40 minutes.
When to get there
Summer is a great time to visit Hokkaido, as the northern island avoids Japan's summer rainy season and has relatively cool but pleasant weather – ideal for biking along the riverbanks or taking a moderately challenging canoe trip. Don’t count out winter, though, because while it brings frigid temperatures, it's also a time for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling along the river.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
If you can't make it to Chitose, the best place to experience the river is at the headwaters of Lake Shikotsu, part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Don’t leave without exploring the park, which is home to two caldera lakes (Shikotsu and Lake Toya), onsen hot springs, several waterfalls, and active volcanoes. The Poropinai Observatory viewing deck on the north end of the lake is a great place to take it all in.
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