ARTICLES
A Misunderstanding? Ario Sapporo Dispels Rumors with "We're Not Closing!" Campaign, Featuring a "Pan Fes" with 12 Popular Bakeries
The Rumor Started with Ito-Yokado's Withdrawal from Hokkaido
Ario Sapporo in Higashi-ku, Sapporo
So why did rumors of Ario Sapporo's closure start? The reason is Ito-Yokado's withdrawal from Hokkaido. "Ario" is a shopping complex developed by Ito-Yokado, and in February 2024, the company announced its departure from Hokkaido. The Ito-Yokado general merchandise stores in Obihiro and Kitami, as well as the four stores in Sapporo, are all slated for closure.
Ito-Yokado Ario Sapporo Store
The core tenant of Ario Sapporo, the "Ito-Yokado Ario Sapporo Store," is scheduled to close in March 2025. The children's section on the second floor and the clothing and bedding section on the third floor have already ceased operations. However, Ario Sapporo itself will continue to operate. In March 2025, the general supermarket "Daiichi" is scheduled to open in the space formerly occupied by Ito-Yokado's food section.
New Stores Like "Workman Joshi" and Events Like "Pan Fes" Are on the Way
Campaign posters can be seen at various tenant storefronts
As if to dispel the rumors that arose from this situation, several new stores will open on April 26, the first day of the "We're Not Closing!" campaign. These include the first Hokkaido location of the casual wear store "Workman Joshi" and a capsule toy specialty shop.
The first Hokkaido branch of "#Workman Joshi"
Capsule toy specialty store "#C-pla" also opens on April 26
Events are also planned for Golden Week. On April 27 and 28, the "School Festival" will feature performances by local students, including brass bands and cheerleading. Additionally, the "Ario Sapporo Pan Fes," a gathering of popular bakeries from Hokkaido and beyond, will be held from Saturday, April 27 to Thursday, May 2.
■Saturday, April 27
11:00 AM – Sapporo Municipal Keimei Junior High School Brass Band Club
12:30 PM – EXPG STUDIO SAPPORO Special Stage
2:20 PM – Hokkaido Oasa High School Cheerleading Club
3:50 PM – SITBand - Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School Brass Band Club
5:00 PM – EverZOne HIROKI Mini Live & Fan Event
■Sunday, April 28
11:00 AM – Sapporo Nihon University High School Brass Band Club
12:20 PM – Municipal Sapporo Hiragishi High School Unplugged Guitar Club
1:30 PM – Municipal Sapporo Hiragishi High School Calligraphy Club
2:40 PM – Municipal Sapporo Asahigaoka High School Cheerleading Club
3:50 PM – SIT Band - Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School Brass Band Club
5:00 PM – EverZOne HIROKI Mini Live & Fan Event
・Hasande Soro (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
Luxurious gourmet sandwiches packed with fillings. The owner fell in love with his wife's delicious sandwiches and brought her on as a producer to perfect them! Enjoy original gourmet creations! Check out the Instagram-worthy cross-section of the generously stuffed sandwiches!
Dates: April 27-28 / April 30-May 2
・CoCoPallet (Iwanai, Hokkaido)
Fried bread sandwiches with a new texture. Freshly fried, crispy bread is generously filled with whipped cream.
Dates: April 27 - May 2
・Curry to Kingyo (Susukino, Hokkaido)
Winner of the Gold Prize in the Keema Curry category at the 2021 and 2022 Curry Bread Grand Prix. Handmade curry bread with a crispy, chewy dough and a keema curry filling full of Hokkaido ingredients.
Dates: April 27 - May 2
・YOKOICHI (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
Specialty bread made with 100% Hokkaido wheat and milk, allowing you to taste the quality of the ingredients. Enjoy bread from YOKOICHI, an exciting, live-entertainment-style bakery!
Dates: April 27-29
・Cube Choux Factory (Hakodate, Hokkaido)
A shop specializing in unique box-shaped cream puffs. We offer our most popular item, the Cube Choux Custard with the Hakodate brand, our second most popular Black Rare Cheesecake, and a fluffy Taiwanese castella cake steam-baked at Yunokawa Onsen.
Dates: April 28, May 2
・Budopan (Kurume, Fukuoka)
A specialty shop for "budopan" (grape bread) from Kurume City, Fukuoka. We are bringing our top two most popular varieties. Try our chewy, raisin-packed "Budopan's Budopan" and the "Whole Wheat Walnut and Raisin" bread, which pairs perfectly with raisins and toast. Please give them a try.
Dates: April 28-30
・Kunsei to Lemon Bitters (Ebetsu, Hokkaido)
Operating from a food truck and a physical store based in Ebetsu City. Our top recommendation is the 'Smoked Mackerel Sandwich.' Aromatic smoked mackerel is served in a bun with vegetables and lemon. Be sure to try it with our 'Lemonade,' specially created to complement smoked flavors!
Dates: April 29 - May 2
・Mori no Pan ~seasonal spot~ (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
A white container bakery nestled quietly in the woods of Minami-ku. We offer mainly hard-crust breads, as well as soft and chewy options popular with children, such as cinnamon rolls, salt bread, and potato bread. All our bread is made with Hokkaido wheat. Please come and taste our bread.
Dates: April 29-30
・Tany’s kitchen (Chitose, Hokkaido)
Freshly made pita bread sandwiches created by a chef using ingredients from Hokkaido.
Dates: April 30 - May 2
・Street Kitchen BOOFY (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
We offer hot dogs made with special coarse-ground pork sausage from Hokkaido, milk bread made with 100% Hokkaido wheat and milk, and other carefully selected ingredients.
Dates: April 30 - May 2
・Sandwich Factory Sandria (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
At Sandria, we use a special soft and moist bread made from high-quality flour to create sandwiches with fresh ingredients. They are fresh, healthy, and generously portioned. Enjoy our handmade sandwiches that are kind to both body and soul.
Dates: May 1-2
・Pane+Pane (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
We are a small-group, hands-on bread and cooking class located in Fukuzumi, Sapporo. With over 15 years of experience, our instructor guarantees that you will be able to master the skills on your own! We offer skill-based courses and one-off lessons, which you can join at a trial price!
Dates: April 27-28
■Bread Making Workshop
Dates: Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28
Times: 11:00 AM / 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM / 3:00 PM / 4:00 PM (4 people per session, free of charge)
How to Participate: Numbered tickets will be distributed starting at 10:00 AM on the day of the event at the tent in the outdoor Entotsu Hiroba (Chimney Plaza).
A New Muji Store Will Also Open in Summer 2024
The elevated walkway connecting JR Naebo Station and Ario Sapporo
Furthermore, a new "Muji" store is scheduled to open at Ario Sapporo in early summer 2024. The mall is easily accessible by car, and thanks to the renovation of JR Naebo Station, you can also get there via the newly constructed "elevated walkway." Be sure to visit with your family during Golden Week or on the weekend.
Ario Sapporo School Festival
■Dates: Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28
■Time: 11:00 AM - 4:20 PM (EverZOne HIROKI Mini Live from 5:00 PM)
■Venue: Ario Sapporo 1F Harvest Court Event Plaza
Click here for details on the "Ario Sapporo School Festival"
Ario Sapporo Pan Fes
■Dates: Saturday, April 27 - Thursday, May 2
■Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■Venue: Ario Sapporo Outdoor Entotsu Hiroba (Chimney Plaza)
Click here for details on the "Ario Sapporo Pan Fes"
