14-[Tips for campervan travel] Go dive into Roadside Station in Chitose

Tips for Campervan Travel from Expert Taishi Kawanami/川南　大士

Written by Interpreter Noriko

Roadside Station in Chitose

Roadside station
Key Features of Salmon Park Chitose
Location of Salmon Park Chitose

１．Roadside Station

Roadside stations offer 24-hour rest facilities (parking lots and restrooms), provide information on road conditions and tourist attractions, and serve as hubs for regional collaboration through local promotion facilities such as product halls and restaurants. This attracts many visitors from both within Japan and abroad.

Exploring roadside stations across Hokkaido in a camper van is a great idea. You’ll find local specialties for sale in each region. Be sure to sample these local delicacies and pick up some souvenirs to commemorate your trip.

Please note that a roadside station is not a campground. Setting up chairs or tables in the parking lot, or cooking food such as BBQ, is prohibited. Additionally, playing loud music or holding parties is considered a breach of etiquette.

We ask that you follow the rules during your visit.

The parking lot is quite spacious, so campers can park there without any issues.

２．Key Features of Salmon Park Chitose

Chitose Salmon Park is about a 20-minute drive from Chitose Airport. You’ll find original products made with salmon, as well as seasonal vegetables and fruits from Hokkaido. True to its name, the park specializes in salmon.

Salmon are born in rivers, grow up in the ocean, and return to their birthplace to end their lives. You can witness both the beginning and the end of this long journey in the Chitose River, which flows right by the park.

In-store video

A variety of mushrooms grown in Hokkaido, as well as bread and rice balls made with salmon, were on offer, and the eat-in space was bustling with tourists. The appetizing aroma wafted out from the eat-in area.

Salmon Curry Bread Packed with Chunks of Salmon

Freshly made rice balls are plentiful

Salmon lovers won’t be able to resist this. It’s loaded with salmon.

It was strawberry season when I visited, so I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of small but incredibly sweet strawberries.

　The strawberry daifuku looks delicious too!

There are also tasting stations for various products. I tasted a dashi broth made with generous amounts of Hokkaido kelp.

It had a rich, deep flavor and a distinct sweetness from the kelp. It’s perfect for simmered dishes, soba, udon, and other dishes.

Tasting Video

Sampling various food tastings left me feeling full, so I had to give up on eating the seafood bowl in the dining area. Instead, I purchased some mochi balls filled with smooth red bean paste made from Hokkaido azuki beans to enjoy as a camping trip snack.

２．Location of Salmon Park Chitose

Salmon Park Chitose (Free Parking）

Next to Salmon Park Chitose is one of Hokkaido’s largest freshwater aquariums, specializing in salmon. In the basement of the facility, there is an underwater observation zone where you can look through glass into the waters of the Chitose River and observe salmon and other aquatic life. Don’t miss this opportunity—be sure to stop by for a visit with your family or partner.

There are 128 Roadside station in Hokkaido (as of April 2026) https://yuru-to.net/

Now that you’ve made the trip all the way to Hokkaido, why not take the opportunity to explore the region in a campervan and discover seasonal delicacies and memorable treats that you can only find here?

We look forward to hearing all about the memorable places and delicious foods you encountered during your journey as you return the campervan.

That wraps up our feature on Roadside Station in Chitose!

Up next, I’d like to feature on Chitose Shinto shrine

The Camper Trip continues—stay tuned!!