Hokkaido Area Guide ・ Chitose & New Chitose Airport
Jingisukan at New Chitose Airport! A Guide to Enjoying Hokkaido's Local Dish at the Airport 2026
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You can enjoy jingisukan, a Hokkaido local dish, at New Chitose Airport. Matsuo Jingisukan, founded in 1956, has two restaurants there, serving everyone from travelers who want a relaxed meal to those who need to eat quickly.
What kind of dish is jingisukan?
This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.
Known as one of Hokkaido's signature local dishes, jingisukan is a barbecue dish of lamb or mutton grilled on a special dome-shaped iron pan. A distinctive sauce brings out the flavor of the meat, and it is usually eaten together with vegetables.
The dish is said to have originated in Takikawa, Hokkaido. In 1918, sheep breeding stations were opened in five places across Japan, and the dish was born as research into using mutton progressed (source: Takikawa City official tourism site).
Two ways to eat it: Sapporo style and Takikawa style
There are two main styles of jingisukan.
- Sapporo style: grill the meat first, then dip it in sauce
- Takikawa style: grill meat that has been marinated in sauce (Matsuo Jingisukan uses this style)
Matsuo Jingisukan's secret sauce is an original blend based on fruits and vegetables, and its deep flavor soaks into the marinated lamb. A key feature is that it is easy to eat even for people who are put off by the typical smell of mutton.
The two airport restaurants: which to choose
There are two Matsuo Jingisukan restaurants on the 3rd floor of the domestic terminal building at New Chitose Airport. They differ in atmosphere, hours and menu, so you can choose to suit your travel style.
| Comparison | Sit-down restaurant (Gourmet World) | Food court shop |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Calm sit-down restaurant | Casual food court |
| Closing time | 21:00 (last order 20:30) | 20:30 (last order 20:00) |
| Seats | 68 (dedicated) | 424 shared |
| Takeout | Not available | Soraben Jin-don (¥1,850) |
| Best for | People who want a relaxed meal | Short stops, families |
Matsuo Jingisukan New Chitose Airport (sit-down restaurant)
A sit-down restaurant in the "Gourmet World / Shiden-dori Restaurant Street" on the 3rd floor of the domestic terminal building. With a dedicated 68-seat floor, you can enjoy authentic jingisukan in a calm atmosphere. Access is good too, about a 1-minute walk from JR New Chitose Airport Station.
Restaurant information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Gourmet World, 3F New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Building, Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012 |
| Hours | 10:00–21:00 (last order 20:30) |
| Closed | Open every day |
| Phone | 0123-46-5829 (reservations generally not accepted) |
| Official site | https://www.matsuo1956.jp/shop/shin-chitose/ |
Main menu and prices (tax included)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Lamb jingisukan (with vegetables) | from ¥1,750 |
| Premium lamb jingisukan (with vegetables) | from ¥2,050 |
| Lamb rib loin jingisukan (with vegetables) | from ¥2,350 |
| Vegetable platter (about 2 servings) | ¥330 |
| Udon (to finish) | ¥160 |
Source: https://www.matsuo1956.jp/shop/shin-chitose/menu/genghiskhan.html (checked 2026-06-04)
Matsuo Jingisukan New Chitose Airport Food Court
Also on the 3rd floor, inside the "Food Court Wing." It uses the food court's 424 shared seats, so it suits families and times when you are in a bit of a hurry. It has a full range of rice bowls and is easy to walk into even on your own.
Restaurant information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Food Court, 3F New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Building, Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012 |
| Hours | 10:00–20:30 (last order 20:00) |
| Closed | Open every day |
| Phone | 0123-46-2989 (reservations generally not accepted) |
| Official site | https://www.matsuo1956.jp/shop/chitose_food/ |
Main menu and prices (tax included)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Jingisukan set meal (with salad, rice and soup) | from ¥2,100 |
| Jingisukan only | from ¥1,700 |
| Jingisukan rice bowl | from ¥1,800 |
| Mini jingisukan rice bowl | from ¥900 |
| Jingisukan steak rice bowl | ¥1,880 |
| Jingisukan and egg rice bowl | ¥1,200 |
| Soraben Jin-don (takeout) | ¥1,850 |
| Bone-in lamb steak (single item) | ¥1,080 |
| Jumbo skewer (single item) | ¥1,000 |
| Rolled sausage (single item) | ¥920 |
Source: https://www.matsuo1956.jp/shop/chitose_food/menu/ (checked 2026-06-04)
Points to know before you go
Here are some things worth knowing before you actually go to eat. There are points specific to airport dining, such as crowds and smells on your clothes.
Watch out for busy times. It is especially crowded from 12:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. Neither restaurant generally takes reservations, so shift your timing or plan with waiting time in mind.
Smoke and the smell of grilling may cling to your clothes. If you are wearing something precious or worry about it on the plane, think about the order of your meal or bring a jacket you can put on.
Knowing how to choose between lamb and mutton is also useful. Lamb comes from sheep under one year old, with less smell and a tender texture. Mutton comes from adult sheep and has a stronger, distinctive flavor. For first-timers and families with children, Matsuo's recommended "premium lamb" is a good place to start.
Jingisukan as a souvenir
Besides eating it, you can buy Matsuo Jingisukan products as souvenirs to enjoy at home. Shops in the airport such as Sky Shop Ogasawara sell premium lamb 350g (frozen). It is a frozen product that works with cooler bags and ice packs, so you can take it home (source: https://www.hokkaido-omiyage.com/bnomto009-01/ checked 2026-06-04).
Which airport shops sell it and stock levels may vary by shop and timing. If you want it, check at the souvenir shops in the airport.
Summary: try the taste of Hokkaido at the airport
New Chitose Airport has two Matsuo Jingisukan restaurants, so you can round off the time before or after your flight with a very Hokkaido meal.
- If you have time to spare: authentic jingisukan at a relaxed pace at the sit-down restaurant (Gourmet World)
- If you want to eat quickly: rice bowls or jumbo skewers at the food court shop
- If you want takeout: the food court shop's Soraben Jin-don (¥1,850) is handy
Enjoy lamb marinated in a secret sauce handed down since 1956 as a final memory of your trip.
FAQ
Can I book the Genghis Khan (lamb BBQ) restaurants at New Chitose Airport?
As a rule, neither of the two Matsuo Jingisukan restaurants takes reservations. They get busy from 12:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 18:00, so allow extra time.
What's the difference between lamb and mutton?
Lamb is under one year old, with little gamy smell and a tender texture. Mutton is from adult sheep and has a stronger flavor. Matsuo Jingisukan recommends its premium lamb.
Can I get takeout at the food court shop?
At the food court shop you can buy the "Soraben Jin-don" (1,850 yen) to take away. The sit-down restaurant does not offer takeout.