Tomakomai Advances Hokkaido Integrated Resort Plans
The southern coastal city of Tomakomai in Hokkaido is once again progressing with plans linked to a potential integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino. Local officials have issued a call for an advisor to support the development of the “Hokkaido Tomakomai International Resort Concept” which outlines the city’s vision for a future IR project.
The advisory appointment is viewed as an early step toward preparing a possible bid to Japan’s national government. However, the final decision on whether Hokkaido will put forward a specific location for an IR remains under the authority of the prefectural administration.
Tomakomai has allocated funding for the advisory position, offering a contract valued at up to JPY8 million (approximately US$50,200). The selected advisor will examine international developments in the integrated resort sector, estimate the potential investment size and revenue prospects of a Tomakomai project, and evaluate the broader economic impact on both the city and the wider Hokkaido region. The advisor will also oversee an expression-of-interest process to gauge potential participation from private developers. The city expects to announce its chosen advisor on April 17.
Hokkaido’s Position and National IR Timeline
At present, Tomakomai is the only municipality within Hokkaido to publicly reaffirm interest in hosting an integrated resort. Meanwhile, the Hokkaido government is preparing to update its “Basic Stance on IR of Hokkaido Prefecture” by autumn this year. This document will outline the prefecture’s position on potential casino resort development and identify suitable locations for such a project.
To support this work, Hokkaido has earmarked JPY9.98 million in its proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget for research and analysis related to the possibility of introducing an IR.
On a national level, Japan has already set the timeline for the second round of IR applications. Under a Cabinet Order issued on March 10, local governments will be able to submit proposals between May and November 2027. Any participating municipality must collaborate with a private-sector partner and present a formal “IR District Development Plan” to the central government.
Hokkaido previously explored the possibility of hosting an IR ahead of the first bidding round but withdrew from the process in late 2019 before submitting a formal proposal. At the time, KPMG had been advising the prefecture on IR-related planning.
Preparing for the Next Opportunity
The initial IR application process, which concluded in December 2023, resulted in a single approved project: the JPY1.51 trillion MGM Osaka Integrated Resort development, scheduled to open toward the end of 2030.
With the second application window now confirmed, Tomakomai’s decision to revisit its IR concept and recruit an advisor appears designed to ensure the city is prepared if Hokkaido chooses to participate in the next round.
By focusing on market analysis, financial projections and economic impact assessments, the city aims to refine and strengthen its proposal for a Tomakomai-based integrated resort. The planned expression-of-interest process will also help determine which private developers may be interested in partnering on a future bid.
