Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium

The Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium (Salmon Furusato Chitose Aquarium) opened in 1994 in Chitose, Hokkaido, and stands as Japan's first freshwater aquarium dedicated primarily to salmon and cold-water species. Located along the Chitose River, the facility was established to showcase the region's relationship with salmon, which have been central to Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu culture and local economy for centuries. Chitose serves as a crucial spawning ground where thousands of salmon return annually from the Pacific Ocean, making this location ideal for observing these fish in their natural habitat.

The aquarium's defining feature is its underground observation window that looks directly into the Chitose River itself, allowing visitors to watch wild salmon, trout, and other river species swimming in their actual environment. This naturalistic viewing experience is particularly spectacular during the autumn salmon run from September to November, when visitors can see salmon fighting upstream to spawn. The facility houses approximately 50 species and maintains several large tanks displaying Hokkaido's freshwater ecosystems, including massive Sakhalin taimen and Itou, Japan's largest freshwater fish that can exceed 1.5 meters in length.

The aquarium complex includes outdoor ponds where visitors can observe salmon at different life stages and feed sturgeon during warmer months. An exhibition hall explains the salmon life cycle, traditional Ainu fishing methods, and the ecological importance of these fish to forest ecosystems through nutrient transfer. Interactive touch pools and feeding demonstrations make the facility particularly suitable for families, while serious naturalists appreciate the focus on indigenous northern Japanese species rarely seen in conventional aquariums.

Adult admission costs ¥800, with reduced rates of ¥500 for high school students and ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students. Children under elementary school age enter free. The surrounding area provides access to hiking trails leading to Lake Shikotsu, one of Japan's clearest caldera lakes located 30 minutes upstream.

The aquarium is located approximately 25 kilometers from New Chitose Airport, making it easily accessible for travelers. Visitors can reach the facility by taking the JR Chitose Line to Chitose Station, followed by a 10-minute bus ride on the Chuo Bus Shikotsu Line toward Lake Shikotsu. By car, the drive from the airport takes roughly 30 minutes via Route 16. The aquarium offers free parking for approximately 300 vehicles.