Indian Water Wheel Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is seeing salmon swimming up the Chitose River and the water-powered Indian water wheel in motion up close.

The water wheel catches salmon amid splashes, creating a scene that is emblematic of autumn in Chitose.

At the venue, visitors can enjoy local favorites such as salmon hot pot and salmon roe bento, as well as log-cutting races, yamame trout fishing, and stage events.

A Chitose fall festival featuring salmon runs and the impressive water wheel

What to expect

At the venue, you can first see the salmon swimming upstream in the Chitose River and the Indian water wheel.

Visitors can sample food made with salmon, such as salmon hot pot and salmon roe bento, and enjoy activities like log-cutting races and yamame trout fishing.

Music, dance, and other performances have also been held on stage, but the program and times vary by year.

How to take part

Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities such as a log-cutting race and yamame trout fishing.

The event is introduced as something people of all ages can enjoy, though participation requirements and capacity for each activity vary by year.

Details for each 2026 activity, such as participation fees and whether numbered tickets are required, have not been announced individually.

In 2026, activities such as a fishing pond, log-cutting races, quizzes, and dance and music performances were scheduled for the event plaza at Roadside Station Salmon Park Chitose.

Specific times, capacity limits, numbered tickets, and participation fees for each activity were not provided.

If you wish to participate, please follow the on-site guidance on the day.

Source: 第47回インディアン水車まつり、釣り堀・丸太切りレースなど2026年企画を発表 | チトセガイド

Location and access

Venue and address

Roadside Station Salmon Park Chitose (2-4-2 Hanazono, Chitose, Hokkaido)

Train and bus

About a 15-minute walk from JR Chitose Station.

By car

About 10 minutes from the Chitose IC on the Hokkaido Expressway.

Parking

200 spaces; free.

Crowds are expected during the event, so visitors arriving by car are advised to use the temporary parking lot at Salmon Park.

In 2026, the temporary parking lot at Sumiyoshi Softball Field was announced.

Address 2-4-2 Hanazono, Chitose, Hokkaido

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, it was held on September 26 (Saturday) and the 27th (Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

The venue is the event plaza at Roadside Station Salmon Park Chitose.

Source: イベント - ちとせの観光 - 北海道千歳の観光サイト【千歳市公式】

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The number of salmon swimming upstream and the operation of the water wheel vary depending on natural conditions such as the time of year, weather, and river conditions.

The food on sale and quantities may also differ from year to year, and items may sell out or offerings may change.

The area around the venue can be crowded on festival days, so if you are driving, check the designated parking information.

Nearby attractions

Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium is next to Roadside Station Salmon Park Chitose, the festival venue.

The aquarium has an underwater observation zone where visitors can see inside the Chitose River.

Opening hours, admission fees, and exhibits are set separately from the festival.

Tourist attractionsChitose City

サケのふるさと 千歳水族館

北海道千歳市にある水族館

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写真：Psjk2106 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)

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Parks and gardensChitose City

青葉公園

北海道千歳市にある公園

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Aprilfood / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Indian Water Wheel Festival

The current festival is said to have originated with the 1st Chitose River Salmon Festival, which began in Showa 54 (1979).

In 2026, it was announced as the 47th festival.

The Indian water wheel itself is said to have been introduced on the Chitose River in Meiji 29 (1896), based on a mechanism used in North America.

Official information

The official website is the official Indian Water Wheel Festival website of the Indian Water Wheel Festival Executive Committee.

The 2026 event information included details about the venue, dates, activities, and parking.

Indian Water Wheel Festival at a Glance

The Indian Water Wheel Festival is a fall festival in Chitose where visitors can see salmon swimming upstream in the Chitose River and the water-powered Indian water wheel up close.

Visitors can also enjoy food such as salmon hot pot and salmon roe bento, log-cutting races, yamame trout fishing, and stage events.

The venue is Roadside Station Salmon Park Chitose, about a 15-minute walk from JR Chitose Station.