The specialty restaurant SAWAKA
Located between the lush greenery of Nakajima Park and the flowing Toyohira River, Lilac Square is home to the newly opened InterContinental Sapporo, which debuted on October 1, 2025. Just a short distance from central Sapporo, Hokkaido’s first InterContinental property ushers in a new era of luxury stays in the northern city.
Though set within a sophisticated urban environment, the hotel’s 9th-floor lobby features a terrace that brings the rhythms of nature and the changing seasons right to the guest. Inside, the lobby lounge features a water basin, where the gentle sound of flowing water creates a serene ambiance. Adjacent spaces include the fireplace-equipped Fire Lounge and a lounge area surrounded by greenery, seamlessly flowing into one another. Every detail of the interior, from Hokkaido-sourced wood to natural stone, blends tranquility and comforting relaxation in perfect harmony.
The hotel spans the 9th to 14th floors of Lilac Square, offering a prime location with exceptional views.
The welcoming lobby lounge that thoughtfully integrates modern design with touches of nature.
The hotel features 149 guest rooms, including 13 suites, designed with the comfort of a private residence in mind. Warm, earthy tones inspired by Hokkaido’s natural beauty create a serene and refined atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of Nakajima Park and the Toyohira River. In the morning, guests can enjoy the fresh greenery of the park, while at night, Sapporo’s city lights reflect across the sky and river. During the crisp winter months, these scenes take on an even more breathtaking beauty.
Rooms Brimming with Elegance
For a truly memorable culinary experience, we recommend the specialty restaurant SAWAKA, where guests can watch the chef’s artistry unfold right before their eyes. At the 12-seat counter, Brazilian-born Head Chef Fernando Himoro delivers a dynamic, live cooking performance. Drawn to sushi, he trained in traditional Japanese cuisine for seven years before refining his skills across the globe, including Italy and Napa Valley, where he also worked at a Michelin-starred French restaurant. The omakase-style menu allows seasonal ingredients at their peak to be transformed into extraordinary dishes.
Head Chef Fernando Himoro, known for his dishes’ meticulous attention to detail.
Afterward, guests can unwind at the refined Norva Lounge & Bar, enjoying a selection of cocktails and mocktails crafted with Hokkaido ingredients as the evening drifts by. It’s an ideal destination for an elevated winter-season stay.
The Fire Lounge, with its flickering flames, and the neighboring Norva Lounge & Bar.
InterContinental Sapporo
Address: 1-48, Minami 10-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Phone: 011-562-7000
Official Website: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/jp/ja/sapporo/spkha/hoteldetail
