Chitose, Hokkaido / 支笏湖（支笏湖ビジターセンター）
Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center
The national-park visitor centre by Lake Shikotsu, with exhibits on the volcanoes, forests and lake life, a kokanee salmon tank and a 15-minute film; the bus from New Chitose Airport takes about 55 min.
Last official check
25 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
24 Dec 2026
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Visitor centre: 9:00-17:30 in April-November, 9:30-16:30 in December-March.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Closed on Tuesdays (next day if a holiday) from December to March, and over the New Year.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
From JR Chitose or Minami-Chitose Station, Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Shikotsuko (route 空4) to the last stop (about 44 / 50 min). From New Chitose Airport, the same bus takes about 55 min. No regular buses from Sapporo or Tomakomai. By car, about 40 min from New Chitose Airport or 70 min from central Sapporo.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Lake Shikotsu car park, once per day: cars 500 yen, motorbikes 200, microbuses 1,000, coaches 2,000 (fees fund park maintenance). Car park No. 5: 1,000 yen per visit.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
The visitor centre lends wheelchairs (limited numbers) for use inside and on the outdoor paths, and has a multipurpose toilet that can also be used for nappy changing.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Chitose, Hokkaido (Japanese address: 北海道千歳市支笏湖温泉番外地)
Official site: https://shikotsukovc.sakura.ne.jp/
Location
We have not confirmed the location on an official source yet, so there is no map.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
Visiting respectfully
- Local etiquetteFollow the local "Lake Shikotsu Rules". People aged 13+ using the Chitose River waterside pay a 500 yen conservation contribution. Hikers should check the JMA volcano information for Mt. Tarumae and Mt. Eniwa.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
- Local etiquetteNo booking needed, even for groups. The 15-minute film is in Japanese, English, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean and Thai. The "Wild Bird Forest" trail runs by the lake.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Verification log
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Official website · https://shikotsukovc.sakura.ne.jp/Hours, closing days, access, parking and cautions and rules read from the official site.
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Official website · https://shikotsukovc.sakura.ne.jp/access.htmlFees, access and parking read from the official site.
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Official website · https://shikotsukovc.sakura.ne.jp/vc.htmlBooking and crowds and description read from the official site.