I took a break here on my way to Tomakomai via Lake Shikotsu. It's nice that it's free. I bought a snack to nibble on since they only accept tips starting from June. Order: - Sweet potato tempura 350 yen Impressions: Eating the freshly fried sweet potato tempura by Lake Shikotsu with the wind blowing was delicious. The lake sparkled in various colors like blue, green, and black. I enjoyed the mild spring sunshine while still feeling the lingering cold. It was a delightful experience. Thank you very much!

In June, the precious "Chip" (Himemasu) from Lake Shikotsu, which is only available after the fishing ban is lifted, is a yearly delight to enjoy at the local restaurants around the lake. However, this year seems to be experiencing an unusual shortage, possibly due to water temperature fluctuations. Some restaurants may not be able to offer Chip on certain days. Therefore, it is recommended to call ahead to confirm availability before visiting. The special set includes salt-grilled and fried Chip, with the special set also offering sashimi. However, there seems to be a change in the menu where the fried dish is now labeled as "Trout" instead of Chip. Trout is a general term for salmonids, including Amemasu, Rainbow Trout, Himemasu, and Brown Trout found in Lake Shikotsu. Although the Rainbow Trout may be natural, the change in the set seems like a downgrade from the original selling point of the Himemasu from Lake Shikotsu. It would have been more respectful to explain the reason for the substitution and avoid vague descriptions like "limited-time service" or "Trout." Despite this, the sashimi of Chip, known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicate flavor, and the salt-grilled Himemasu were satisfying. The Trout fried dish was also tender and enjoyable, but as a fan of the small-sized Himemasu, it was disappointing not to have the Chip fried dish.

I went to Lake Shikotsu for a meal and to see the autumn leaves. I had chirashi bowl with plenty of fresh chip sashimi at Poropinai Shokudo. It's already autumn, but the chip sashimi, which was probably farmed, was delicious and not too fishy. The dish was served lukewarm, not too cold. My friend had the special set with chip fry, grilled fish, and sashimi for 1,980 yen, which was very satisfying. Overall, we enjoyed the meal very much. Thank you for the feast.

I visited Lake Shikotsu for a meal even though it's off-season. They have a takeout corner, so we got a Sundae Deluxe for 500 yen each. It was our first visit as a couple. They also offer hot items like sweet potatoes and mochi at the back of Poropinai Shokudo. I was planning to get a chocolate sundae, but then I saw the Deluxe version with strawberries and bananas. It was delicious. You can eat inside the dining area, but we took our crepes to go. They were soft and filling. I told them I would wait inside, but they said I had to wait outside. It seems like they're not connected inside. I also asked for maple soft serve, but they gave me a waffle cone instead (I realized after eating). They are closed in winter and open until November. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Visited on August 16, 2020 after seeing a special feature on tip dishes in the travel magazine "じゃらん Hokkaido". I was really craving it, so I came here (laughs). It was a sunny Sunday, and the location was the Polopinai parking lot at Lake Shikotsu. The parking lot was crowded with people enjoying water skiing, swimming, barbecuing, etc. After finally finding a parking spot, I headed to the restaurant. I wanted to try tip dishes like grilled and fried, but I also wanted to have sashimi if possible. Then, I found the "Special Set" for 1980 yen which had everything included. Of course, I ordered a non-alcoholic beer to go with it and enjoyed the meal. Everything was delicious. I will come back every year. Thank you for the feast.

You can enjoy dishes made with Chip (Hime Masu) caught in Lake Shikotsu. It's recommended to get a ticket and expect to wait for about an hour during the tourist season. The Chip set includes grilled, fried, and sashimi dishes, so it's good for sharing among groups with children or women. While waiting, you can watch the dishes being prepared.

In June, I had fish for the first time in Chitose and it was delicious, leaving a good impression. I had heard that it was a specialty of Lake Shikotsu and that it was best enjoyed in early summer, but I hadn't had the chance to try it before. I wanted to try it again, so I searched for a restaurant near Lake Shikotsu. I drove through the mountain pass from Sapporo and arrived at the lakeside. There were many cars and boats docked there. I tried to find the "Lake Shikotsu Tourist Center" based on a review on Tabelog, but the facility was called "Poropinai." I searched around but couldn't find any other buildings, and the location on the map seemed slightly off. I later found out that the company running the place is called Lake Shikotsu Tourist Center, but the actual facility is Poropinai. So, the restaurant inside is called Poropinai Restaurant. When you go there, aim for Poropinai Restaurant. Inside, I bought a meal ticket. I was interested in the most expensive, Chip Deluxe Set meal, which cost around 3000 yen. Of course, there are other menu options for enjoying chips more casually. I handed over the meal ticket and was asked, "Would you like rice?" A strange question for a set meal, as who wouldn't want rice? I answered, "Yes, please!" and waited for the meal while looking at the lake. When my meal was ready, I picked it up and saw that it included sushi with chips. Some people might not be able to finish the rice. The menu included sushi, grilled fish, sashimi, fried fish, and meunière. The unique thing about the fish is that you can eat the bones. They are so soft that you can naturally eat the bones without any difficulty. It was my first time trying the fried fish, and it was delicious, soft, and freshly fried. The sashimi had a good amount of fat and a fluffy texture. If you like salmon, you should try it. The flavor is similar to salmon but with less of a distinct taste, soft, and delicious fat. It's truly delicious fish.

2020/6 Lake Shikotsu Drive ε=(ﾉ･∀･)ﾂ Chip fishing is now allowed! I want to drink beer with a piece of fish skewered on a stick in hand (๑´∀`) So, I took a drive that's just over an hour away by car and was healed by the dense forest and large lake ((･´∀`･))ﾌﾌｯ..... The road at night is eerie, but fun w The restaurant at the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center is a bit away from the main area where parking is free, which is nice (^人^) It costs 500 yen at the main area, so the free parking is appreciated. You buy a food ticket at the vending machine, hand it to the staff, and self-serve water, tea, and tray service. Beer ( ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ Cans are 310 yen... Draft beer is 550 yen... I'm torn ( ･ὢ･ ), but of course, draft beer, right! ・Chip Sushi 2 pieces for 500 yen It's big and thick! The rice is overflowing w It has a melty and soft texture with a delicate fatty taste. It's delicious with a light touch. ( *´艸) ・Grilled Chip Fish 1000 yen Wow! It's huge! I get excited seeing the fish skewered on the stick w The mild flesh and crispy skin sprinkled with coarse salt make me happy. (๑˃́ꇴ˂̀๑) I didn't know char tasted this good! I'll definitely come back to eat this again. (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎) Thank you for the meal (^ω^)

[First Visit on June 13, 2020] My parents, who used to go to Lake Shikotsu every year to eat Chip (Smelt) dishes, stopped going last year because my father could no longer drive and my mother was not keen on long-distance driving. So, my husband and I decided to take them this year, and we went to "Poropinai Shokudo" to eat the freshly caught Chips on a sunny day at Lake Shikotsu. Poropinai Shokudo is a dining facility at the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center on the side closer to Sapporo. This side of the lakeshore does not charge parking fees throughout the season, and it is popular among those who set up tents or enjoy water sports as it is very close to the water. The parking lot was bustling with many tourists, seemingly relieving the pent-up frustration of staying indoors due to the coronavirus. In my younger days, I used to drive the Lake Shikotsu Line early in the morning alone in my first car (Hachiroku), or skip afternoon classes at technical school to come here with my classmates, take a break at the shore of Lake Homanai, and make a U-turn. My father wanted sashimi, grilled fish, and fried fish, so I decided to have a special set with everything included for my meal. The rest of us bought a Chip feast set that included Lake Shikotsu Smelt grilled whole (salt-grilled), Lake Shikotsu Smelt sashimi, Lake Shikotsu Smelt fried fish, Chip sushi, sweet and sour Lake Shikotsu Smelt, side dishes, pickles, and miso soup. This year's Chips were said to be fatty and large in size, and they were very delicious. I ended up eating about two servings by myself, as my father gave me his rice, my mother shared half of her grilled and sweet and sour fish, and my wife gave me one piece of Chip sushi. On the way back, we stopped by "Mion Ethical Kitchen & Cafe" in Chitose, where we enjoyed coffee while watching the small birds and squirrels playing in the garden. As soon as we arrived at my parents' house in Sapporo, heavy rain and thunderstorms started. Truly a man of clear skies. (￣ー￣) Smirking #LakeShikotsuGourmet #PoropinaiShokudo #LakeShikotsuVisitorCenter #SmeltDishes #ChipDishes #NaturalSmelt #NaturalChip #ChipFeast #SpecialSet #ComeswithJagapokkuruBonus #LakeShikotsu #YummyYummy @ Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center

Today, I received a request from a client's president to inspect a property in Tomakomai, so I headed there. After about 30 minutes of checking the site and providing advice on renovation methods, I decided to take the scenic route back via Lake Shikotsu due to the good weather. After soaking in the usual hot spring, I visited this restaurant. Luckily, they had "Fried Chicken Tips" available, which I had been worried about being sold out! It's all about good karma, right? It usually takes about 7-8 minutes, so I waited. There was a customer ahead of me, but I was able to receive my order in about 10 minutes. It's all about good karma, right? Thank you, Otaru Boss! After receiving my order, I returned to my car. The chicken was already seasoned, so I dug in right away without feeling any bones. Another satisfying day!

Grilled and fried whole fish set meal. The grilled fish is delicious, but the fried fish is also tasty! You can enjoy plenty of chips. It's especially nice to eat on the terrace while looking at the beautiful Lake Shikotsu Blue on a sunny day! They also have chip crepes available for takeout, which I would like to try next time! At the lakeside pier, you can rent fishing rods and bait, and even fish below the pier.

It's cloudy today, but it's a perfect day for biking☆ Tomorrow's forecast calls for rain, so let's make the most of today... The classic touring route leads to Lake Shikotsu where you can enjoy the famous "chips on a stick". The price is ¥400 per skewer. I prepared by drinking less alcohol the day before. We departed at 9 o'clock and arrived at the first checkpoint. It's a holiday, so there are not only bikers but also families around. I saw a father and child trying their hand at chip fishing with rental fishing rods. I've never seen anyone catch anything, but I spotted a father returning with a bucket containing some fairly large fish. You can catch fish without going out on a boat... interesting. I tried a freshly fried chip skewer and it was hot and delicious. It's crispy on the outside and sweet on the inside. The counter was piled high with them, so they must be popular. It was a great outing. Phew. There was a grill in front of the vending machine, but it wasn't being used that day... what a shame. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal. Alright, let's move on to the next place.

When I felt like going for a drive, I used to go to Lake Shikotsu... (a long time ago). I have a fond memory of eating "chip sushi" on a train, which was really delicious. But when I ate it by the lakeside before, I didn't think it was that good. However, it has a good reputation here. So, on a sunny weekday, I decided to give it a try. The result... it was wonderful!! I will definitely come here at least once a year. The Shikotsu Lake Tourist Center is like a cafeteria in a recreational area. You buy food tickets from a vending machine. I couldn't find the button for the most popular Poropinai set at first, then realized it was just too big to see. (Oh my... maybe it's my age showing). I can't choose between fried and grilled, so my motto since I was young has always been "if in doubt, get both." So, I went for the Poropinai set which includes both. Of course, I also tried the chip sushi. First, the sushi was ready. I thought 500 yen for two pieces was a bit expensive, but it was definitely worth it. The fish was so thick it covered the rice completely. The rich flavor of the chip spread throughout my mouth. "Delicious!!" Soon, the Poropinai set was ready. I asked for less rice. And surprise, they even included salmon roe as a bonus. The grilled fish skin was crispy and the tender flesh inside was delicate and flavorful. The boneless fried fish allowed me to take big bites. It was so delicious. I can't find the words to describe it. I just kept eating. Ah, it was so delicious!! It will probably be popular during the autumn foliage season. I want to come back one more time this season.

Taking a quick break. Oh, they're not serving salt-grilled chip (smelt) today. Oh well. In that case, I'll go with the "Natural Chip (Smelt) Deep-Fried Skewer for 400 yen." The previous customers, three dignified Caucasian girls, bought a total of six soft-serves... eating too much!? They said it's already flavored so they'll eat it as is! While gazing at the magnificent blue of Lake Shikotsu, I take a big bite! Mmm! Delicate umami with a moderate amount of fat seeping through. Lake Shikotsu's chip (smelt) is truly the best. Personally, I just wanted a little bit more saltiness. A few years ago, it was slightly salty, so there may be some variation depending on the day.

Drive date on a weekday off day ❤️ It's a limited time, but still managed to go on a drive. It takes about an hour to get to Lake Shikotsu from my place, so it's a perfect drive route. Usually, when I go to Lake Shikotsu, I park at a paid parking lot and stroll around that area, but on this day, it was raining in some places near the paid parking lot. So, I parked my car at Poropinai nearby where it wasn't raining and went for a walk. It's not much of a stroll, but it's nice that the parking lot is free. I checked out the shop to see what they had, and guess what! My favorite chips were there! I thought you could only get them at the paid parking lot! What a surprise! Since it was before lunchtime, I ordered one skewer of chip tempura to share. It cost 400 yen. They said it would take about 8 minutes to make as it's freshly fried, so I waited. It was a bit of a wait, but it's worth it if it's freshly made! Took a photo and enjoyed it! It was very delicious! It was hot because it was freshly fried, and the salt seasoning was just right. They also had chip crepes, but I'm glad I tried this first! You can also get the skewer tempura to go, and they serve various chip-themed set meals inside. This place is great! I didn't know I could eat chips here, even though I've been to Lake Shikotsu many times. It made me feel happy! Thank you for the meal!

In May, despite the weather being over 25°C, we went on a nice drive to Lake Shikotsu for sightseeing. We took a break before reaching the lakeside where you can board a sightseeing boat. I enjoyed soft serve ice cream and the limited edition fried chips here! The soft serve had a crunchy texture and was a bit light, almost like ice cream. The chips were lightly salted and had a fluffy, soft texture, very delicious! The bones were also soft and I ate them whole (my companion did). Thank you to the "Tourist Center" for the meal♪

Today, I went to my brother-in-law's workshop to get my car inspected, and after the inspection was done, I came to see the autumn leaves at Lake Shikotsu. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to stop by here after a week. The weather is nice, so it's quite lively here. Oh! They have fish and chips here. I ordered it, and waited about 7-8 minutes for it to be ready. When it arrived, I took it back to my car. It's already seasoned, so I dug in right away. You can enjoy it without feeling any bones. Today, once again...satisfied! Satisfied! Satisfied! After being satisfied, I soaked in a private hot spring before heading home.

In the city of Chitose, Hokkaido, the restaurant's sign says "Poropinai Shokudo," but on websites like Tabelog and Google Maps, it is listed as "Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center." I visited on a Sunday afternoon around 12:30 pm. The place was crowded inside and out. They use a food ticket system, so I bought my ticket and secured a seat first. I chose a set meal from the menu that looked good - the Poropinai Set for 1180 yen including tax. It was mentioned that it would take about 30 minutes, so I waited. After 24 minutes, my number was called. The Poropinai Set included grilled salted smelt and fried fish as the main dishes, along with rice, Nameko mushroom soup, pickles, and vinegar dish. The fish had been deboned, and although I was a bit hesitant about the fried fish, it turned out to be soft all the way to the backbone and I could eat it all. I left the bones and head of the grilled fish. Both dishes were easy to eat and delicious. I'm not sure if I've had smelt before, but it was tasty. Thank you for the meal.

The coffee was served at a temperature slightly lower than usual, making it easy to drink with a smooth taste. I also detected a different flavor, which complemented the mild bitterness of the coffee. While it lacked a bit of richness, the view of Lake Shikotsu made for a luxurious experience. It was a brief moment of relaxation, overlooking the lake on a calm, sunny day. As we headed towards Noboribetsu Onsen town, the weather was perfect for a drive, with pleasant temperatures. Although the coffee was a bit subtle, the service at this tourist spot was satisfactory. I had initially thought of trying the chirashi sushi, but decided to save it for lunch. I settled for just a hot coffee, saving the sushi for next time. "Taking a sip of cold coffee, moving towards lunchtime♪" Overall Rating: 3.0 Taste: 2.8 Service: 3.3 Atmosphere: 3.9 Value for Money: 3.0 Drinks: 2.8 Location: Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido, Chitose City, Horobinai Shikotsu Lake Visitor Center ☆☆☆ Next Episode Preview ☆☆☆ This is a place I am likely to visit again when I come back to Lake Shikotsu. Reference Song: "Cold Coffee" Artist: Yuzu Lyrics: Atsushi Iwasawa Composition: Atsushi Iwasawa

There is a little memory attached to the "Chippu" (Himemasu) fish. About 20 years ago, I had a colleague from Akita, and their favorite izakaya was a place called "Akita Obako" (now closed) in Chitose City. The chef at this izakaya, who somewhat resembled the freelance announcer Akira Fukuzawa, was a very pleasant and kind person, so I started frequenting the place. He would play tennis during the day, sweat it out, and then personally source ingredients to serve to customers. If he wasn't satisfied with something, he wouldn't serve it, even if it was on the menu. There were days when you couldn't eat certain items. The interactions where he would recommend dishes like "Today we have some great Chippu! Grilled or sashimi, both are great!" were very enjoyable. This time, I remembered the article posted by Usanomama and visited the place for lunch amidst the autumn foliage. I arrived at 11:00, an early hour, so there were no other customers eating inside. I purchased a meal ticket from the ticket machine and handed it to a young staff member, who said it would take about 15 minutes, but it actually came out in 5 minutes (laughs). The Chippu dish that arrived first was delicious. I took a big bite of the salt-grilled fish on a skewer and thought, "Wow, this is delicious!" The slightly strong saltiness was just right for a salt-grilled dish, and it was very tasty. Holding the skewer and taking a bite definitely enhances the flavor, while eating it without the skewer makes it just a regular salt-grilled dish. My wife also enjoyed it, saying "It's delicious!" as she munched on the skewer. Next, I pinched the belly of the fried fish with chopsticks and ate it, and it seemed like the bones had been removed. Taking a big bite from the head, I thought, "Wow, this is good too!" I was completely satisfied. I ate the fried fish from head to tail, leaving nothing behind. You should try the salt-grilled and fried dishes without any condiments first. Even without anything added, the dishes are satisfying and you can taste the quality of the ingredients. If you prefer, you can add lemon or tartar sauce to enjoy the flavors in a different way. Thank you for the delicious meal.