New Chitose Sapporo Airport – Spotting Guide

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New Chitose Sapporo Airport – Spotting Guide

Published by Julian at June 28, 2021 - last modified on July 5, 2021

New Chitose Sapporo Airport (CTS/RJCC) is located in Hokkaido prefecture in Japan. The place is north of Japan and is the 5th busiest airport in number of passenger in Japan. The airport was opened in July 1988 and was old located on the west side of its current postion. The major carriers here are of course JAL, ANA and all other japanese airlines. But you will see a lot of international movements, especially from the asian carriers but also Finnair or even Hawaiian Airlines flying in and out of CTS.

There are 2 runways and both runway has 3,000m lengh and 60m wide.and the airport is open 24 hours. There is a Japanese Self-Defense Force base called “Chitose Air Base” next to the New Chitose Airport. They have two 777-300ER for VIP operations and based here. There is also trainning based at the Chitose Air Base and special flights are one of the worth things that you can see at this airport.

Written by Atsushi Yoshioka. Last Update: June 2021

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Airport Information
Runways
01L/19R	3,000m / 9,843 ft Asphalt / Concrete
01R/19L	3,000m / 9,843 ft Asphalt / Concrete
18L/36R	4,000m / 13,123 ft Asphalt
18R/36L	2,700m / 8,858 ft Concrete
Terminals
Domestic	All domestic flights use this terminal.
International	All international flights use this terminal. The terminal on the military side.
Spotting Information
Ladder	It’s better to have a ladder at spot #3 and #7. In the winter season, there are a lot of snow on the ground and sometimes you don’t have to use ladder.
Car/Public Transport	There is no transpotation around the airport. I recommend to rent a car. Only spot #3 you can walk from International Terminal.
Drinks/Food	Only inside the terminal. Otherwise, you should go to a convenience store.
Hotels	There are plenty of restaurants near the Chitose station or you can buy some foods from convenience store.
Season	People often go in the winter time. One of the most beautiful scenary in Japan with snowing. but the summer season is also good for spotting with nature of greens. The highest amount of sunshine hours you wil usually find between March – June before the rainy season starts.
Security	There is nothing problem to spotting around the airport.
Runway Usage
01L/19R	Use for all of departures
01R/19L	Use for all of arrivals
18L/36R	Use for military movement (JASDF 777-300ER use on this ruway for take-off, landing, training)
18R/36L	Use for military movement (especially for fighter jets)

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	Spot #1 – Observation Deck
WHERE	This spot is the official observation deck which is inside the domestic terminal on the 4th floor. Entrance to the deck is on the 3rd floor next to the “Airline History Museum”. The deck is before security checks and offers a wonderful sight of the action. There is no fence, just some wires, but the gaps are big enough for a huge camera lens.

WHAT	You can see all of movement at both of runways and taxiway. Especially using RWY19 is better for spotting as can see landing movement with beautiful forest on the background. Parking aircraft is not recommend to take pictures also be careful for heat haze from APU of parking aircraft for taxing movement.

TIME	Afternoon is the best for spotting. from 1pm to sunset

MISC.	Observation Deck is opened only in the summer time (April to November). winter season is closed because of too much snow.

FOCAL LENGTH	If you take for runway movement more than 200mm. on the taxiway around 100mm

Picture of the deck

	Spot #2 – Taxiway J
WHERE	This place is next to the taxiway J between the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal on the northwestern corner directly at the fence, next to the tunnel entrance of the access road. Best option is to walk from the International Terminal for about 5 mins northwards.

WHAT	You can see mainly International flights taxing on the taxiway J or D. But since the new taxiway on the south opened in January 2020, they changed operations. So now you can see taxiway movements when they use RWY19 operations for departure and sometimes you can see arrival movement taxing from RWY01. But you have to listen ATC which taxiway will be used (south or north)

TIME	In the winter, you can go spotting all day. but summer season this spot is not recommended because sun is too high.

MISC.	You should bring step ladder on this spot. It’s enough for 2 or 3 steps. In the winter, you can stay in the heated terminal because tempartures are under 0 degree and freezing and there is not much traffic passing by.

FOCAL LENGTH	When you take pictures on Taxiway J (front taxiway) 737=60mm, 747-400=40mm, on Taxiway D (second taxiway) 737=200mm, 747-400=100mm

	Spot #3 – RWY19L arrival (Afternoon)
WHERE	Located at the north side of the airport direclty at a quiet road. When you drive there, you come from Terminal side through the tunnel then turn right at the gast station/the first traffic light. This spot is at the end of the road before the curve. Park your car on the side of the road and start spotting from there. You can also walk from the terminal on sidewalks to this location by using the same route.

WHAT	You can see approach movements when they use 19 operations. Mostly approach traffic use RWY19L but sometimes use RWY19R if there is clearing snow on RWY19L side.

TIME	In the winter, from 1pm to 3pm is the best. In the summer, 2pm to 6pm is the best for spotting.

MISC.	Very remote spot with a small gas station shop at the junction to the access road

FOCAL LENGTH	777-300=330mm, A330-300=400mm if you want to get more small aircarft, you need more longer lens.

	Spot #4 – Dog run (RWY19L arrival)
WHERE	There is a dog run located near the end of RWY19L. The place is directly at the road 36 and it’s open for spotters for taking photos too. You have to pay parking fee at the front (you also have to pay if you don’t have a car).

WHAT	You can see approach movement on RWY19L in the morning. There is small deck inside the parking area or you can use a step ladder if you stand next to the fence (recommend for 3 steps)

TIME	Only in the morning. 8am to 10am available from this place.

MISC.	You need to pay 660 yen (per person) valid for one day. But you can go out and inside non limited times after payment. You can’t enter this place when the dog run is closed.

FOCAL LENGTH	777-300=80mm, A320=150mm

	Spot #5 – Crash Gate (Namakon point)
WHERE	There is a crash gate located between the middle of runway 01R/19L. You can access this spot from the main road 36 on a small access road which leads to the gate. Don`t block the crash gate and park around it.

WHAT	Good for all of movement both of runway(RWY01L/19R,01R/19L). Around the crash gate, we recommend to use 3 step ladder. but If you don’t have a step ladder, walk to the left side from crash gate there is also good point to spot from.

TIME	Only in the morning. 8am to 10am available from this place.

MISC.	There is no shop around there. If you want to have food or drinks, you should buy something before reaching this spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	On RWY01R/19L 777-300=100mm,A330-300=150mm,737-800=200mm On RWY01L/19R A330-300=300mm,737-800=400mm

	Spot #6 – A10 Point
WHERE	The spot is located near RWY01L at the airport perimeter fence. From the airport drive to the south on Road 130 and pass the big car parking. Now you can see a small gravel road on the left side so turn into that road and drive all the way through the forrest till the end of the road at the fence. In the winter time if the snow is so deep, you can’t drive through the forrest. You have to park at entrance of the forrest then walk to the fence next to the taxiway for about 20-30 mins

WHAT	Good for photography for taxiiing aircraft to RWY01L.And you can see landing aircraft to RWY01R. One of the best spot in the afternoon if they use 01 operations.

TIME	Only in the afternoon, 1pm to until sunset.

MISC.	In the winter, you don’t need to bring a step ladder because the ground rises due to snow, but in general it’s better if you have one. In the summer You need to use 2 or 3 step ladder.

FOCAL LENGTH	(On taxiway) 777-200=40mm, 767-300=45mm, 737-800=60mm (On runway 01R) 777-200=180mm, 737-800=250mm

	Spot #7 – New taxiway
WHERE	Located south of the Domestic and International Terminal.There is a new taxiway G started to use since 2020. The location is on a small mound so you don’t have to use step ladder on this spot.

WHAT	You can spot almost all movements for Interantional flights taxiing to RWY01 or arrival from RWY19.

TIME	In the winter, you can spot here all day. But summer season this spot is not recommended because sunlight is too high. Sunlight is like Taxiway J

MISC.	There is no shop around here. Especially in winter you have to be careful from cold temparture.

FOCAL LENGTH	(On taxiway) 737=60mm, 747-400=40mm

We cannot provide photos from this spot. If you do so, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

	Spot #8 – RWY36R Arrival & Line Up (Afternoon)
WHERE	The spot is between the forrest border and the 36R approach, on a small gravel road that runs along the perimeter fence. Entrance to this road is possible only from the west side, near the IC Parking (see the map). It’s not possible to access it by public transportation and you need to use a car. Sometimes in winter you can’t enter the road into the forrest because of deep snow so park outside instead.

WHAT	You can spot movement on RWY36R. Normally the JASDF 777-300ER practice on this runway. And sometimes fighter jets (F-15) are using this runway for take off so you can photograph them on the line up.

TIME	Afternoon is the best for spotting, From 1pm to sunset.

MISC.	You can adjustment the position for north to south. but you can’t go through the east side of the approach.

FOCAL LENGTH	777-300ER=100mm

	Spot #9 – Portom International Hokkaido & Air Terminal Hotel
WHERE	The Portom International Hokkaido Hotel is on the south of the international Terminal and their rooms facing westwards, offering a nice view of the action of the western part of the airport. Just ask for an upper level room facing the ramp whilst booking. On the domestic terminal there is the Air Terminal Hotel, located above the gates. Same here, ask for an upper level room with apron view.

WHAT	Partially ramp movements, planes using the taxiways and the runway action in the distance. Due to its location at the Air Terminal Hotel you will see more movements.

TIME	Air Terminal Hotel in the afternoon, Portom in the morning. Nightshots are possible too with a tripod.

MISC.	Everything you need is just here. Windows can’t be opened.

FOCAL LENGTH	From the Air Terminal Hotel: Taxiway: A320 = 140mm; 772 = 80mm