Hokkaido
Hokkaido is home to one of Asia's most celebrated ski resorts. Its abundance of seafood, Japan's finest hot springs, and ever-changing natural wonders, beckon travelers and investors alike. Each year, this land becomes a thriving hub for adventure travel enthusiasts. Anchored at its core is Sapporo, Japan's northernmost designated city, a place where the vitality of urban living harmoniously mingles with immersive nature experiences. It's a realm where business and leisure strike a perfect chord. With the renowned ski haven of Niseko close by, it's the ideal gateway to your Hokkaido adventure.
Special Experience
Winter Wonders in Niseko and Beyond
Hokkaido, renowned for its pristine powder snow, is a winter wonderland. However, it's Niseko that steals the spotlight as a world-famous ski resort, catching the eye of international investors. It's the perfect highlight for incentive travel, offering team-building opportunities amidst thrilling activities. And when it comes to accommodations, from high-end hotels like Park Hyatt Niseko & The Ritz-Carlton to cozy condominium-style stays, you'll find a wide range of options to suit your fancy.
Official Website: Niseko Resort Tourist Association
Sapporo Snow Festival
Known as one of the 'World's Three Great Snow Festivals,' this event is a global sensation. Held right in the heart of Hokkaido's bustling capital, Sapporo, it's easily accessible, making it a convenient visit even after your business meetings. Throughout its duration, you'll witness an international snow sculpture competition, where teams from around the world showcase their talents, creating a melting pot of cultures. With interpreters and cashless payment options, it's an event that caters to a diverse international crowd.
Official Website: Sapporo Snow Festival
Furano Lavender Fields
Unfolding as a vast purple carpet, Furano's lavender fields are an iconic Hokkaido spectacle. For your summer incentive escapades, this is the place to be. Besides renting bikes and leisurely walks, you can partake in the beloved lavender-picking activity. What's more, with an adjacent winery, you can savor wine-tasting sessions and delve into fascinating factory tours for the ultimate experience.
Official Website: Farm Tomita
Savoring the Flavors of Sapporo and Otaru
Sapporo and Otaru are epicurean treasures known for their delectable seafood and regional dishes, making them perfect choices for dinner gatherings and networking events. For instance, Sapporo is the birthplace of Japan's oldest beer brand, 'Sapporo Beer.' It’s also renowned for its iconic 'Sapporo Ramen' and more. Just a 50-minute jaunt from Sapporo, the charming coastal town of Otaru serves up sushi and seafood bowls featuring the freshest catches, earning rave reviews from participants.
Exploring Hokkaido's History and Culture through the Ainu Indigenous Community
Located just an hour away from Sapporo, 'Upopoy' is a cultural center dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Ainu indigenous people. Comprising a museum, park, and memorial site, it presents a wide array of engaging programs, including crafting Ainu traditional crafts, musical instrument performances, and captivating traditional art showcases.
Official Website: UPOPOY National Ainu Museum and Park
MICE Facilities
Sapporo Convention Center
At the heart of global MICE hub Sapporo lies the Sapporo Convention Center, a large facility with a total floor space of approximately 20,000m². With its spacious main hall, capable of hosting up to 2,500 attendees, along with four additional halls and fifteen versatile meeting rooms, it's the epicenter for international conferences, academic gatherings, and vibrant events. Ideally situated with seamless subway access and city-center proximity, it's hailed for its premium amenities and attentive service.
Official Website
Moerenuma Park (Designed by Isamu Noguchi)
Designed by the globally acclaimed sculptor Isamu Noguchi, this expansive urban park sprawls across an impressive 188.8 hectares. Its soaring 32-meter glass pyramid, a symbol of the park, can comfortably host up to 120 guests on its ground floor for standing receptions. What makes it truly exceptional is the culinary delight it offers—featuring French cuisine crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. With a history of hosting banquets for UN and government-sponsored international conferences, it's a place where nature, art, and gastronomy come together.
Official Website
HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F Village (ES CON Field HOKKAIDO)
Debuting in 2023, HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F Village is more than just a ballpark; it's a sprawling 32-hectare haven for community and leisure. Nestled within this expansive space, you'll discover not only the baseball stadium but also a hotel, an array of restaurants, versatile event venues, and outdoor activities galore. It's not just about sports—it's a proactive player in the MICE scene, offering stadium tours, enlightening lecture programs, the grandeur of a giant screen, and delightful dining experiences within the VIP lounge.
Future of Hokkaido
Looking ahead to 2028, there's an ambitious project taking shape right in front of Sapporo Station—a towering skyscraper that's set to redefine the cityscape. This dynamic complex will feature hotels, offices, and bustling commercial spaces, soaring to 43 stories and a height of approximately 245 meters. As the Hokkaido Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) extends to Sapporo, this redevelopment marvel will proudly stand as the region's tallest. If the bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics succeeds, it will become the new face of 'Sapporo: The Gateway to the World.
MICE Case Study
G7 Summit
In 2023, Sapporo had its moment in the global spotlight as the chosen host city for the G7 Summit, with the prestigious Sapporo Prince Hotel as the epicenter of discussions. Sapporo's selection was based on its declaration as the 'Green Capital,' reflecting its proactive efforts towards achieving SDGs and carbon neutrality. Moreover, Sapporo's extensive experience in hosting international conferences, alongside its robust security arrangements and excellent accommodation facilities, added to its appeal as a prime summit destination.
Travel Exhibitions
When the Adventure Travel World Summit, a globally acclaimed experiential tourism trade show, graced the Sapporo Convention Center, it played host to an international crowd of over 800 from 60+ nations. Over four days, 31 immersive tours allowed attendees to dive into unique Hokkaido experiences, including the thrill of Canadian canoeing. Hokkaido's allure shines brilliantly at travel expos, where its lush nature and vibrant culture take center stage, creating an event that's nothing short of a memorable adventure.
DMO & Visitor Bureau
Sapporo Convention Bureau
Overview
The Sapporo Convention Bureau is an organization established by the city of Sapporo to assist organizers and planners in planning and holding MICE events that make the most of Sapporo's urban functions, tourism, and cultural resources.
Key members: Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation
Official Website
Service
1) Planning and hosting incentive travel
- Support for planning and organizing incentive travel:
Proposal of model courses, the introduction of unique venues, team building, party attractions, land operators and DMCs, assistance in accepting pre-tour inspections, etc.
- Support for organizing and holding the event:
Airport welcome, provision of welcome gifts, etc., provision of promotional tools, etc.
2) Support for attracting and preparing for international conferences and congresses
- Support for attracting conferences and congresses:
Proposal of venues, support for bid paper preparation, subsidies for attracting conferences, support for receiving pre-conference inspection tours, etc.
- Preparation support:
Preparation support: Introduction of companies that support the preparation and holding of conferences, PR support, grants, etc.
Kutchan Tourism Association
Overview
A general tourist information center for the Niseko area, focusing on information on the town of Kutchan.
Key members: Comprised of lodging, food and beverage businesses, activity businesses, and real estate developers.
Official Website
Service
Support for planning and organizing incentive travel