HOKKAIDO, Apr 13 (News On Japan) - IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, is set to open its first outlet in Hokkaido in mid-May, marking its long-awaited entry into the region not in the major city of Sapporo but in the neighboring town of Tobetsu, where deep historical ties with Sweden have helped pave the way for the project.
Known for its blue and yellow branding, IKEA offers a wide range of products from storage solutions and kitchenware to household goods, attracting customers with its affordable prices and Scandinavian design, and has steadily expanded its presence across Japan since entering the market 20 years ago.
The new outlet will operate as a limited-time pop-up store from mid-May through mid-November, featuring a container-style setup next to a roadside station in Tobetsu, rather than in Sapporo, which has a population of around 2 million.
Approximately 200 items are expected to be available, including the popular "Poäng" chair designed by Japan-born designer Noboru Nakamura from Hokkaido, along with furniture, lighting, and miscellaneous goods.
Local residents welcomed the announcement, with one saying they were delighted after waiting more than a decade, while another visitor from nearby Iwamizawa expressed interest in purchasing stylish furniture or small items.
The choice of Tobetsu as the location is closely tied to its longstanding relationship with Sweden, which is reflected in the design and operations of the roadside station, where IKEA products are already widely used, including in seating areas, children's play spaces, and nursing rooms.
The town also maintains a sister-city relationship with Leksand in Sweden, spanning around 40 years, and has incorporated Nordic influences into its urban development, including the Sweden Hills residential area characterized by wooden homes and open landscapes.
A Swedish resident who moved to Tobetsu last year said the town strongly resembles Sweden and expressed joy at IKEA’s arrival, noting that living without the retailer would feel incomplete.
Masaki Miyaji, a former mayor of Tobetsu who now heads the company operating the roadside station, has spent more than a decade working to attract IKEA, emphasizing the town’s proximity to Sapporo and its cultural ties to Sweden as key advantages.
While the current store is temporary, Miyaji said the town aims to eventually secure a permanent location, though IKEA will first assess demand in Hokkaido and evaluate whether sales can offset higher logistics costs in the region.
The pop-up store, made possible by decades of exchange between Tobetsu and Sweden, is expected to bring new energy and visitors to the town.
