■ Masaru Yamaguchi, general manager of the Court Yard Marriott Sapporo Hotel Design with Hokkaido Culture From birch to diamond dust 38 Years of Experience Hotelier’s Change in Sapporo
사진 확대 Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo / Photograph = Marriott
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, has emerged as a popular destination for Koreans. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, as many as 467,000 out of 1.61 million foreign tourists who visited Sapporo last year were Koreans. The figure is overwhelming, accounting for 28% of the total. It has soared seven times compared to the previous year.
Sapporo transforms into a skier paradise in winter and a refreshing natural paradise in summer. The scenery of flowers and greenery is sufficient to stimulate Koreans’ emotions. If you want to enjoy healing that you haven’t seen in busy metropolitan cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, going to Hokkaido is perfect before it’s too late.
In line with this popularity, a new landmark has appeared in Sapporo. Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo is the main character. The hotel opened on the 1st of last month and boasts a total of 321 rooms. In high-rise rooms, Sapporo’s scenery unfolds like a panorama.
사진 확대 Substance Restaurant / Photo = Marriott
I didn’t forget the space for a gourmet. On the first floor, you can enjoy a leisurely rest at The Lounge, and at the restaurant Substance, you can directly enjoy the cooking process through the semi-open kitchen. In particular, the Substance Buffet has attracted travelers both in taste and price, and word of mouth is spreading.
The 24-hour fitness center and Japanese spa are great for recharging after a busy schedule. The position is excellent, too. Located opposite Nakajima Park and in the center of the city, it has excellent access to major attractions such as Susukino restaurants, entertainment facilities, Nijo Market, and Odori Park. The hotel is a three-minute walk from Nakajimakoen subway station. It takes 37 minutes to get to Shinchitose Airport via JR Sapporo Station.
Travel Plus had an interview with Masaru Yamaguchi, general manager of Court Yad by Marriott Sapporo.
사진 확대 Masaru Yamaguchi, general manager of Court Yard by Marriott Sapporo / Photograph = Marriott
Yamaguchi started his career as a hotelier at the Hotel New Otani Hakata in 1986. He served as general manager of hotel Monterrey Sapporo and hotel Monterrey Edelhoff Sapporo rooms in 2013 and served in the room division of Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa and Mandarin Oriental Tokyo rooms. In 2014, he served as general manager of Westin Sendai.
Please tell us how you feel about the opening and how you feel about the hotel.
사진 확대 Inside the Gessile / Photo = Marriott
Courtyard Marriott Sapporo is the first courtyard brand in Hokkaido and the eighth in Japan. The hotel theme is the harmony of nature and city life. The hotel was built for Trailblazers. Pioneers here refer to people who work passionately outside the existing framework. Facilities and services have been prepared for such guests.
The goal is simple. It is to provide the best service in the Nakajima Park area. The biggest attraction of the hotel is that you can rest well in nature away from the city noise.
What did you pay the most attention to during the hotel opening process?
We have devoted all our energy to sharing the core values of “welcome,” “passion,” and “progress,” which can be called Courtyard DNA, with employees. We wanted our customers to feel “something is different about this hotel.” Furthermore, I wanted to make myself think, “I’ll come again next time.” The goal is to be on the list of “must-visit hotels” in the customer’s mind.
What are the elements of hotel design that reflect Hokkaido’s local culture?
사진 확대 Inside the Superior King Room / Photo = Marriott
When you enter the room, you feel like you are in the woods in Hokkaido. The birch-inspired wallpaper warms the guest room. At the foot is a rug mat reminiscent of Tadeai (蓼藍), a traditional Hokkaido dyeing technique.
사진 확대 a smooth curved spiral staircase / photo = Marriott
It becomes more fun when it comes out as a public space. The smooth curved spiral staircase gives the impression of climbing a gentle hill. A chandelier resembling an icicle hangs above it, symbolizing Hokkaido’s winter. Below is a statue made of Sapporo soft stone. It embodies droplets falling from an icicle.
Sapporo soft stone was also used in the elevator hall and front counter walls. The whole hotel feels like it’s made of Hokkaido rock.On the second floor, you can see unique window decorations in the restaurant ‘Surstance’. I expressed ‘diamond dust’ on the window. Diamond dust refers to a phenomenon in which ice crystals in the air glisten on a clear day in winter. Regardless of the season, you can experience eating in the winter scenery of Hokkaido. Throughout the hotel, there is a space where you can feel the essence of Hokkaido’s nature.
If you have any hotel facilities you want to recommend,
In addition to 321 rooms, the hotel supports free high-speed Wi-Fi services for both business and leisure customers. It guarantees both the business guest’s work efficiency and the traveller’s SNS upload speed. I want to emphasize two restaurants.
The first is The Lounge, located next to the front desk on the first floor. It is perfect to enjoy the excitement of checking-in with a drink. The second is the second-floor restaurant, “Sustance.” You can taste dishes made with Hokkaido ingredients and local brand drinks. It’s like putting the taste of Hokkaido in one plate.
To recommend an experience that Korean guests can enjoy,
사진 확대 Various Cars / Photographs by Art of Tea = Marriott
I recommend the afternoon tea set from The Lounge. Speaking of tea, it consists of various teas from the organic brand Art of Tea, which will be introduced for the first time in Sapporo. In Sapporo, you can only taste it here.
The afternoon tea set comes with a sweet dessert, salty and savory Savory, and freshly baked scones. White rice is a ‘live show’ by pastry chefs. Visitors can appreciate the pastry chef elaborately finishing the dessert in front of their eyes.
Is there a place you’re attached to in the hotel?
사진 확대 The Lounge Fireplace / Photo = Marriott
There are two places. All-day Dining The Stand’s window seat and The Lounge’s fireplace. I like the atmosphere felt in the two spaces. In particular, I like the fireplace because it symbolizes Sapporo, the land of snow.
The Nakajima Park area is becoming a ‘hotel battleground’. In this situation, what is the differentiation strategy unique to Courtyard Marriott Sapporo?
사진 확대 The Lounge Look / Photo = Marriott
The Nakajima Park area is being transformed into Sapporo’s new landmark. Global hotel chains are strategically entering the redevelopment plan, including MICE industry-related facilities. Sapporo is expected to take off as a new business center.
The differentiation strategy is to break the boundaries between business and leisure. It is in line with the recent trend of ‘B+Leasure’. Bleasure is a combination of business and leisure, and refers to a trip where you enjoy work and leisure at the same time. Courtyard Marriott Sapporo has facilities that can meet both business and leisure needs. It can respond to the various needs of business travelers.
What are the characteristics of Korean customers?
For Koreans, ‘trendy’ and ‘traditional etiquette’ coexist. Sensitive to trends, he has sophisticated tastes and excellent aesthetic sense. They tend to quickly embrace the latest trends and create their own unique style.
Also, Korean customers are well-mannered and have high expectations for their services. Not only the quality of products or services, but also the experiences and feelings felt in the process are considered important.
I wonder if your hometown is Sapporo.
No, I’m from Fukuoka in Kyushu. Fukuoka has been loved by Korean tourists for more than 30 years. So, I understand the needs of Korean customers well.
Sapporo is mainly known as a winter destination. Tell me the main attractions and seasonal characteristics.
The recommended attraction in Sapporo is Nakajima Park, located right across from the hotel. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, boasting beautiful scenery. In summer, you can enjoy the greening and local festivals. Autumn has autumn leaves and food-themed events, and winter sports such as cross-country skiing can be enjoyed in winter. Nakajima Park offers a variety of content throughout the four seasons.
I heard you worked in Sapporo for a long time. What is Sapporo’s unique charm that differentiates it from other Japanese cities beyond the image of “snowpiercer”?
Although he is from Fukuoka, Sapporo and Fukuoka have many similarities in many ways. Among the major Japanese cities, the two cities each have their own unique charm. Sapporo and Fukuoka are famous for gourmet food and various souvenirs. Visitors can experience changing trends, shops, and dishes every year, always getting a different pleasure. Sapporo has a variety of characteristics beyond the image of ‘snowpiercer’.
What is noteworthy is the sightseeing bus that travels through Sapporo. The lively wrapping design of the buses illustrates the vitality and creativity of the city.
Is there a hidden place in Sapporo or a place that only locals know?
I recommend you to go to the Ishikari River system. Ishikari River is a first-class river that flows northeast across the center of downtown Sapporo. It is loved by citizens as a river where salmon come back.
It is also good to take a walk or run along the river, and it is perfect for cycling. There is also a park golf area, so you can enjoy your time leisurely. If you are with children, it would be good to have fun at the water park. Although it is not well known to tourists, it is a place like a shelter in daily life for locals. You can go there in 5 minutes on foot, so please go out early in the morning and enjoy Sapporo’s leisurely morning.
There are a lot of people saying that the buffet is cost-effective, but if there’s a menu you recommend,
사진 확대 All-Day Dining ‘Surprise’ / Photograph = Marriott
In the morning, you must taste Sapporo’s soul food ‘Miso Ramen’. Handmade char siu and egg-decorated ramen can be eaten with toppings as desired at the live station. If you eat it with freshly baked pancakes, the day starts sweet.
What you shouldn’t miss at lunch is definitely “20 delis.” Delies made of fresh vegetables are healthy and delicious, killing two birds with one stone. And even a mini burger made with 100% Hokkaido beef patties. It’s a popular menu that makes your mouth water just by looking at it.
I’m curious about the change in Sapporo that I felt from my 38-year hotelier experience. What do you think about the impact of the Shinkansen that will open in the future?
Sapporo’s personality is still strong, but the city has changed significantly. The most noticeable change compared to 20 years ago and 10 years ago is the explosive increase in foreign tourists. The number of hotels has also soared. Sapporo has established itself as an international tourist destination in name and reality.
Expectations are high for the opening of the Shinkansen. We hope to open as soon as possible. Currently, the number of seats on the plane is determining the number of visitors to Sapporo. Okinawa is in a similar situation. If the Shinkansen is connected from Honshu to Sapporo, the inflow of tourists is expected to increase significantly. Shinkansen will become a new channel to attract more tourists to Sapporo.
As a result, the opening of the Shinkansen is expected to lead to both qualitative and quantitative growth in Sapporo tourism. It will have a significant ripple effect on the local economy, including the hotel industry, and will revitalize Hokkaido as a whole, focusing on tourism.
AloJapan.com