IHG Hotels & Resorts is accelerating its growth in Japan with the signing of Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino, a 223-room hotel scheduled to open in July 2026 in one of Hokkaido’s busiest tourism and entertainment districts. The project marks the second Holiday Inn Express property in Japan and strengthens IHG’s long-term expansion strategy in a market seeing strong domestic and international travel demand.
Located in the heart of Susukino, the new hotel is expected to benefit from year-round visitor traffic drawn by Sapporo’s food culture, nightlife, winter tourism and urban attractions. For travelers, the property will offer an internationally recognized midscale option in a district known for convenience, energy and easy access to the wider city. For Sapporo, the opening adds fresh room capacity and new hospitality investment at a time when Japan continues to attract global tourism interest.
Prime Position in One of Sapporo’s Most Popular Districts
Susukino is widely recognized as Sapporo’s entertainment hub, packed with restaurants, bars, local eateries and late-night attractions. It is also home to well-known visitor draws such as Ramen Alley and the famous Susukino Intersection, both key stops for travelers exploring the city’s culinary and cultural scene.
The hotel’s location is a major advantage. Guests will be just a five-minute walk from Susukino Subway Station and three minutes from the Shiseikan Shogakkō-mae Streetcar Station, making it easier to reach business districts, shopping areas and seasonal attractions across the city. Strong public transport access is increasingly important for travelers seeking efficient, car-free city breaks and short stays.
That connectivity also supports tourism dispersal, helping visitors move beyond the central district to explore parks, cultural venues, regional food markets and surrounding Hokkaido experiences.
First Generation 5 Holiday Inn Express in Japan
Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino will be the first hotel in Japan to feature the brand’s Generation 5 design concept. The updated format focuses on smart, modern and highly functional stays tailored to contemporary travel habits.
The design approach combines comfort with efficiency, appealing to guests who value seamless check-ins, practical room layouts and flexible spaces that fit both business and leisure trips. As blended travel becomes more common, hotels that can serve multiple traveler needs in one stay are becoming increasingly attractive.
Each of the 223 rooms will be designed with streamlined interiors and essential amenities. The emphasis is on convenience without compromising style, a formula that has helped Holiday Inn Express grow rapidly in international markets.
Facilities Designed for Today’s Traveler
The property will include several core amenities aimed at short city breaks, extended stays and business travel.
An Express Café will serve as the social hub of the hotel, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed setting. Food and beverage spaces are increasingly central to guest experience, especially in urban destinations where travelers want casual, flexible dining options close to their rooms.
A fitness centre will cater to wellness-focused guests who want to maintain routines while traveling. Meanwhile, guest laundry facilities will add convenience for longer stays, multi-city itineraries and winter travelers visiting Hokkaido with heavier clothing needs.
Together, these features position the hotel to serve a broad mix of guests, from weekend visitors and families to solo travelers and corporate clients.
Strong Signal for Japan’s Hotel Market
The opening is significant beyond Sapporo. It highlights confidence in Japan’s hospitality sector and continued demand for internationally branded accommodation outside Tokyo and Osaka.
Holiday Inn Express is part of IHG’s fast-growing Essentials portfolio, with thousands of hotels operating globally and hundreds more in development. Its expansion in Japan reflects growing appetite for reliable, value-driven stays in key urban destinations.
Following the brand’s Japan debut in Osaka in 2024, the Sapporo project broadens its reach into northern Japan, a region famous for skiing, snow festivals, nature tourism and seasonal cuisine. That diversification matters as travelers increasingly seek experiences beyond the country’s traditional gateway cities.
IHG already operates dozens of hotels across multiple brands in Japan, with additional properties in the pipeline. The new Sapporo signing reinforces the group’s ambition to capture more demand across leisure, lifestyle and midscale segments.
Sustainability and Local Economic Benefits
The hotel is also expected to focus on responsible operations, including energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Sustainability is becoming a key factor in destination competitiveness, particularly among younger and international travelers who increasingly consider environmental practices when booking accommodation.
Beyond operations, the project can support the local economy through job creation, visitor spending and stronger links between global hospitality networks and local businesses. Guests staying in Susukino are likely to spend across restaurants, retail, entertainment venues and transport services, extending tourism benefits throughout the district.
A New Base for Sapporo Visitors
When Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino opens in July 2026, it will bring a fresh international option to one of Japan’s most dynamic city neighborhoods. With a central location, modern design and practical amenities, the hotel is well placed to appeal to travelers seeking value, comfort and easy access to Sapporo’s best experiences.
For IHG, it is another strategic step in Japan. For Sapporo, it is a timely boost to visitor infrastructure in a destination that continues to grow its appeal on the global travel map.
For more travel news like this, keep reading Global Travel Wire
