IHG Hotels & Resorts‘ InterContinental brand debuted today on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, with the opening of InterContinental Sapporo.

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is renowned as a world-class winter resort destination with scenic ski slopes, a distinct culinary scene, and as a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts. The new-build hotel is located within the Nakajima Park area and moments from the Susukino entertainment district.

Occupying six floors (9-14 inclusive) of the Lilac Square complex, a mixed-use development and one of the city’s newest luxury addresses, InterContinental Sapporo features 149 guestrooms, including 13 suites, with city, park, and river views from upper floors along the Toyohira River. The interior design fuses residential luxury with the natural beauty of Sapporo, drawing on the colors and textures of Hokkaido’s landscapes, beginning with its lobby lounge, fireplace, and outdoor terrace on level 9, which is filled with plants and alfresco lounge areas overlooking the park.

The hotel also offers three distinct dining destinations, all inspired by the gastronomy and natural surroundings of the region. Sawaka is an omakase-style specialty restaurant that fuses Japanese aesthetics with global culinary technique in a Chef’s Choice course menu.  AuBlanc, an all-day bistronomy-style restaurant, combines the friendliness of a local bistro with the delicacy of gastronomy. Norva Lounge & Bar, an artfully designed retreat with a fire lounge and forest lounge, offers guests traditional afternoon teas by day and inventive cocktails by night.

Indoor pool. Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts.

InterContinental Sapporo joins a global portfolio of more than 231 InterContinental hotels, including 10 in Japan.