Travel to 'Town of Photography' Higashikawa in Sapporo: Hotel Takeover by the 'Town of Natural Water' Begins June 16th!

SAPPORO STREAM HOTEL (Chuo-ku, Sapporo; General Manager: Tsuyoshi Momose) will hold a special project, 'Higashikawa Town Takes Over the Hotel! 2026,' in collaboration with Higashikawa Town, Hokkaido, from June 16 (Tue) to August 15 (Sat), 2026. Higashikawa is a rare town in Japan without a public water supply, relying entirely on groundwater from the melting snow of the Daisetsuzan mountains. In recent years, it has attracted many creators and migrants, developing a unique lifestyle centered on cafe culture, crafts, and sake brewing. SAPPORO STREAM HOTEL will gather all these rich food and cultural elements for this special event. Following last year's successful run, this project recreates the atmosphere of visiting the town within the hotel. The venue will be filled with the town's essence, including sake brewed with natural water, local ingredients, furniture crafted by artisans, and photography exhibitions. A one-night-only dinner event will also be held to deeply savor the region's terroir, offering a journey through local stories while staying in Sapporo. The lobby and restaurant entrance will feature the town's worldview, engaging all five senses. Since declaring itself the 'Town of Photography' in 1985, Higashikawa has pursued community development centered on photographic culture. Works captured in the town will be displayed at the restaurant entrance. Known as a production center for Asahikawa furniture, the town's artisans work closely with daily life. Furniture crafted in local workshops will be displayed in the lobby, allowing guests to touch, sit on, and even purchase them online. The event also highlights food and sake nurtured by the natural snowmelt water of Daisetsuzan. Guests can enjoy 'Michizakura Sake Brewery' sake—which relocated from Gifu—paired with the town's groundwater during the 'Stream Hour' (15:00-17:00) for hotel guests. The 7th-floor restaurant 'BAR & GRILL Splish' will serve a 'Hokkaido Exploration Menu' featuring Higashikawa rice and seasonal vegetables. Additionally, craft gin 'Yuki no Mado' from the local 'Tankyu Distillery' will be available as a gin and tonic. The climax of the collaboration is a one-night-only dinner on August 10 (Mon) featuring Toji (master brewer) Koji Yamada from Michizakura Sake Brewery, paired with a special modern French course designed by the hotel's head chef.