InterContinental Enters Hokkaido With First Luxury Flag in Sapporo
InterContinental has opened its first property in Sapporo, adding a 149-room luxury hotel beside Nakajima Park.
Photos: Courtesy of Intercontinental
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has opened InterContinental Sapporo, the city’s first internationally branded luxury hotel. The debut brings one of IHG’s flagship names to Hokkaido’s capital, a market that has previously lacked a globally recognized luxury presence.
Hokkaido is best known for skiing and winter sports, but its profile has grown year-round. Visitors now come for hiking on volcanic trails in the summer, to experience the vivid autumn colors, and to enjoy a food scene built on the island’s seafood, dairy, and produce. Sapporo itself draws crowds to its Snow Festival each February and has long been associated with its beer culture. The InterContinental opening gives the city a hotel positioned to meet international expectations while offering direct access to the surrounding region.
The hotel is situated in the new Lilac Square complex, adjacent to Nakajima Park. Its 149 rooms, including 13 suites, occupy floors nine through fourteen, with views of the Toyohira River and city skyline. Interiors feature stone, wood, and muted tones to evoke Hokkaido’s natural setting, while the lobby lounge incorporates a fireplace and an outdoor terrace filled with lush greenery. The Club InterContinental lounge, located on the top floor, offers private check-in, breakfast, and evening service.
Dining highlights local ingredients. Sawaka, the omakase restaurant, specializes in seafood and produce from Hokkaido, with menus crafted around charcoal grilling and low-temperature cooking. AuBlanc, the all-day bistro, runs from bakery breakfasts to multi-course dinners, while Norva Lounge & Bar shifts from afternoon tea to cocktails.
Amenities include a 65-foot heated pool with city views and a 24-hour fitness center. The property’s location offers quick access to the Susukino entertainment district, placing travelers within reach of Niseko and Rusutsu ski resorts.
For IHG Hotels & Resorts, the opening strengthens a luxury portfolio that already includes InterContinental hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama. The company has 10 InterContinental properties across Japan and plans to debut the Regent brand in the country by 2028. The Sapporo property establishes a foothold in Hokkaido at a time when the island is attracting an increasing number of international visitors beyond its winter season.
