# ISSUE 25 Sapporo Park Hotel Opened Its Doors to Embrace a New Era of Internationalization in 1964

2024.08

Sapporo Park Hotel first opened in 1964 under the name "Sapporo Hotel San-ai." At that time, Sapporo was buzzing with excitement over its bid to host the first Winter Olympics in Asia, and the opening of a hotel befitting Sapporo was eagerly anticipated by many.

The deep blue exterior of the hotel, which contrasts beautifully with the greenery of Nakajima Park, is adorned with 430,000 plates of Arita-yaki celadon tiles. The lobby features natural marble cut from raw stone in Italy, and the hotel is known for its luxurious amenities, including one of the largest banquet halls in Hokkaido and an underground bowling alley. After opening, in 1966, the hotel was renamed "Sapporo Park Hotel." Since then, it has welcomed numerous dignitaries from around the world, including Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita.

In 1972, Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics, during which Sapporo Park Hotel was designated as the official hotel for the IOC headquarters. Since then, it has continued to be the venue of choice for numerous international conferences. While the hotel takes pride in its prestigious history, it also remains a beloved and approachable landmark in the community. "We take pride in offering soft and warm service to all our guests—that is the hallmark of Sapporo Park Hotel," says General Manager Masayuki Suda.