Hokkaido moves closer to 2027 IR bid as Tomakomai gains ground
Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture has moved a step closer to deciding whether to enter the country’s next integrated resort (IR) licensing race, with a final policy document expected to be presented to the prefectural assembly in September and formally adopted in October.
The development places Hokkaido on a path towards Japan’s second IR application window, scheduled to run from 6 May to 5 November 2027. At the same time, Tomakomai has strengthened its position as the preferred site for a future casino resort after Hakodate, a Hokkaido city previously considered an alternative IR location, signalled that it is unlikely to participate in the upcoming bidding process.
Policy framework moves towards completion
At a prefectural assembly meeting on Tuesday, officials confirmed that a final draft of ‘The basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture’ is expected to be presented in September. A GGRAsia report said the document will serve as the foundation for Governor Naomichi Suzuki’s decision on whether the prefecture moves forward with an integrated resort project.
Should the governor decide to move forward, the document would underpin the preparation of an implementation policy and eventually support the creation of an IR District Development Plan, a requirement for participation in Japan’s national licensing process.
The current draft states: “The IR business entity should be a special purpose company (SPC) with Hokkaido companies being part of it.”
It further notes: “The purpose of establishing the IR is to capture new tourism demand from affluent individuals and inbound tourists and to maximise the economic effect throughout Hokkaido prefecture.”
The draft makes clear that local authorities would be expected to shoulder part of the development burden. It states: “The location municipality will be required to make administrative investments, such as securing land and developing infrastructure.”
The policy review follows months of preparatory work by the prefecture, including the allocation of JPY9.98 million (US$62,000) in its fiscal year 2026 budget to revise its official IR position and develop what officials have termed a “Hokkaido-style IR concept”.
Tomakomai emerges as clear frontrunner
The latest developments appear to strengthen Tomakomai’s position as Hokkaido’s preferred location for a future integrated resort.
The port city has consistently expressed interest in hosting a casino resort and has already incorporated IR-related activities into its own fiscal year 2026 budget. Mayor Suguru Kanazawa has previously stated that Tomakomai intends to work closely with the prefectural government as preparations continue ahead of the next application round.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, Hakodate City Council said the city had not yet established consensus among residents on pursuing an integrated resort project, making participation in the next application round unlikely.
In a statement, the city said, “An IR in the city should have a positive economic effect. However, at this moment, the city has not yet established any consensus among the civil population to try having it. The city has not secured land for it.”
The statement concluded: “In conclusion, it is almost impossible to work on it for the next application window.”
Hakodate had previously been discussed as a possible alternative site to Tomakomai. Its decision leaves the latter as the most prominent candidate should Hokkaido decide to proceed with a bid.
Plans point to a large-scale tourism resort
Recent discussions by Hokkaido’s IR expert panel provide insight into the scale and direction of the project under consideration. Draft policy materials reviewed during panel meetings outlined accommodation facilities covering at least 100,000 square metres and suggested a resort could include between 2,300 and nearly 2,800 hotel rooms.
Officials have repeatedly emphasised that any proposal would differ from developments in Japan’s major metropolitan areas. Reference documents presented during the policy review process stated that a future resort should “leverage regional characteristics different from major metropolitan areas”.
The proposed Hokkaido-style IR concept would focus on the prefecture’s natural environment, food culture, history and seasonal attractions as key tourism drivers.
The prefecture has also continued to study tourism demand, infrastructure requirements and economic impacts, supported by advisers from KPMG AZSA LLC and an expert panel that includes academics and specialists in gambling addiction issues.
In March, Hokkaido launched a process to appoint a research partner to assist with studies related to a potential integrated resort project. The selected provider is expected to support tourism research, infrastructure analysis and economic assessments, while also conducting interviews with three casino resort operators as part of the prefecture’s policy review and preparation for the 2027 application round.
Japan’s IR sector gathers momentum
Hokkaido’s review comes as activity continues across Japan’s integrated resort sector. The country’s only approved casino project is the JPY1.51 trillion ($9.42 billion) MGM Osaka development, a partnership involving Osaka city and prefecture, MGM Resorts International, Orix Corporation and local investors. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2030.
Construction continues to advance, while Osaka authorities are preparing the next phase of development on Yumeshima, the artificial island that will host the resort.
Earlier this month, Osaka confirmed plans to launch a request for proposal process for Phase 2 of Yumeshima. The development, estimated to cost around JPY1 trillion ($6.25 billion), is intended to complement MGM Osaka through additional entertainment, tourism and commercial infrastructure.
The project reflects the Japanese government’s continuing support for integrated resorts as part of its broader tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions strategy under the Fifth Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan.
With only one casino licence awarded to date and additional licences still available, Hokkaido’s forthcoming decision could become one of the most closely watched developments ahead of Japan’s second IR application round in 2027.
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