South Chitose Station is frequently used for train transfers. The reason for this is that there is a waiting room and a restroom inside the ticket gate, making it convenient for passengers with long wait times for transfers. Among many stations, there are few with a similar layout. The station's shop has been renovated and now goes by the name "Transit Station." It can be accessed from both inside and outside the ticket gate. The shop sells items such as bento boxes, rice balls, sandwiches, drinks, and snacks, although the variety is not extensive. I purchased two types of sandwiches: a lettuce sandwich and a ham sandwich. The lettuce sandwich had a crispy texture with fresh lettuce, cheese, ham, and a good balance of saltiness. The ham sandwich came in three variations: ham with lettuce, ham with cucumber, and ham with egg. The taste was average. Overall, the bento boxes seem to be a better choice. The shop is managed similarly to the one on the platform and I will definitely use it again. Thank you for the meal.

Transit Station (Minamichitose Station Store) (beside the Minamichitose Station ticket gate) I went to the outlet called "Rera" in front of Minamichitose Station in search of a convenience store, but more than half of the spaces were empty, and the place where there used to be a Famima was also vacant. I walked around near the entrance, but couldn't find a convenience store, so I reluctantly returned to the station. It was critical to have no drinks for the journey to Obihiro. When I peeked into the store next to the ticket gate, they said, "We only have non-alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic lemon sour." Oh well, that's perfect since I'll be driving. I bought both and then noticed that there was only one station bento being sold. They said, "This is a product that can only be purchased at this station." Well, I'll buy it. The Okhotsk 5 bound for Obihiro arrived on time, and I hurriedly got on board and sat in my designated seat, only to realize that we were about to arrive at the next station, Ofurumai. Now then. First, I moistened my throat, and then I tackled the station bento. It's called the "Hokkaido Shioiro Bento," featuring five types of seafood, but what I appreciate is that it doesn't just focus on high-end ingredients like crab and sea urchin, but rather salmon, tsubugai, ikura, and hotate. Now. I'll save the actual food review for later and research this bento. It was made by a company called "Marui Bento," based in Tomakomai. Marui Bento was the old company name until 2022. Apparently, they were friendly with a meat processing company called Aoyama Co., Ltd. and underwent a name change through M&A. Marui Bento itself was established in 1910 by Mukai Shoten in Tomakomai, originally selling station bentos, and became a corporation named Tomakomai Station Tachiuuri Shokokai in 1958. When they expanded to Chitose Station in 1981, they became "Marui Bento." I see. The Shioiro Bento is appealing because it uses "ingredients from Tomakomai." I remember having hotate curry. Now, onto the actual food. Well, everything is delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the tsubugai karaage and hotate meshi. The hotate is thick and the rice cooked with dashi is exquisite. I've never had tsubugai karaage before, and it's so crispy even when cold, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. By the time we arrived at Shin-Yubari, I had finished eating completely. This is a must-buy gem for each transfer at Minamichitose Station. If you're looking for a surefire station bento, be sure to try it. (September 15, 2023) Transit Station (Minamichitose Station Store) 1388-2 Heiwa, Chitose City, Hokkaido Inside Minamichitose Station Phone number unknown