CTS-Spot1
New Chitose Sapporo Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on February 6, 2025
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: January 2025 (Spot 2)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| 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 |
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| 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
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| WHERE | UPDATE JAN 2025: the area has been fenced off and is no longer accessible. |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
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Spot #3 – RWY19L arrival (Afternoon) |
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| 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. |
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Spot #4 – Dog run (RWY19L arrival) |
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| 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 |
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Spot #5 – Crash Gate (Namakon point) |
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| 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 |
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Spot #6 – A10 Point |
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| 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 |
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Spot #7 – New taxiway |
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| 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.
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Spot #8 – RWY36R Arrival & Line Up (Afternoon) |
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| 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 |
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Spot #9 – Portom International Hokkaido & Air Terminal Hotel |
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| 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 |
Taken from the Air Terminal Hotel:
Are there also spots where to catch the Eagles?
Can you tell me the exact way to access Spot #7? Is it accessible on foot as well as by vehicle?
Hi Jeon,
it is a long walk by foot. Rather take a vehicle, try to get rid of it just south of the tunnel/taxiway and walk westwards from the street along the fence/taxiway till you reach the mound/marked spot.
Please take some pictures of the way as well and send them to us so we can include them in our guide.
-Sev
Hi, is there a specific google map coordinate for spot #3? The ‘Very remote spot with a small gas station shop at the junction to the access road’ I am trying to find a place to chill before returning my motorbike to the rental station at CTS and do you know if it’s opened till 7pm? thank you.
Spot#2 nolonger available
Spot #2 is no longer accessible as there’s a closed gate barrier to the parking lot and they’ve fenced off the side access as well.
Hi Julian, so there is now a fence which runs parallel to the main raod/sidewalk which prevents you from climbing up the mound to the taxiway bridge?
-Julian
Visited the spot #5 on the 7th of feb, and with 19 ops during 11am-2pm there was minimal backlight you just have to be careful with shots facing towards the south. Also in the winter the snow comes up enough for you to shoot through the holes in the top of the fence so no need for a ladder then. Can provide photos if needed.
Hello, Could you tell me how to get to the SPOT#7?
Walk from the terminal, use Google map and find yourself a path first, it’s actually fairly straightforward as the pedestrian road do exist (but now covered with snow). I walked to spot 7, so it is possible. With the snow, do expect it would take around 20-30min walk from terminal to there.
I have seen on the map that the spot 7 and 8 are connected with the same road, I wonder if is it able to walk from 7 to 8?