Hokkaido hotel is the first to allow guests to use Suica card as their room key

A hotel in Hokkaido will soon let guests check-in and unlock their rooms using their Suica IC card.

ES-CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Ekimae is set to introduce a room key system called “Suica Smart Lock” from March 28th 2025.

This will be the first instance of such technology being utilized in the Hokkaido region of Japan.

The “Suica Smart Lock” system will enable hotel guests to register their contactless transportation integrated circuit (IC) cards, such as Suica, or their Near-Field Communication (NFC) enabled smartphone to function as their individual room keys.

This functionality is designed to provide a seamless and efficient transition for guests arriving at the hotel located near to JR Kitahiroshima Station.

It will allow for direct access to their hotel rooms without the need for traditional physical keys or magnetic stripe card keys.

The system is intended to expedite both the arrival and departure procedures for hotel guests by automating the room key issuance and deactivation processes.

The “Suica Smart Lock” system facilitates self-check-in, allowing guests to proceed directly to their rooms upon arrival after registering their IC card or smartphone, potentially bypassing traditional front desk procedures.

As part of the new system, the hotel will also begin utilizing a cloud-based hotel management system called “suitebook KIOSK” developed by the hotel’s parent company, SQUEEZE.

The check-in process works with IC cards and NFC phones

This infrastructure integrates with the “Suica Smart Lock” system and supports remote guest assistance through video calls, offering a form of “cloud reception” that provides 24-hour support from hotel staff.

While the hotel’s promotion of this new system places JR East’s Suica IC card front and center, it will also work with the IC cards issued by other travel companies in Japan such as PASMO, JR West’s ICOCA, and JR Hokkaido’s Kitaka.

The “Suica Smart Lock” system was originally developed in 2023 for “B4T” a new hotel brand established by the JR East Group.

Its initial adoption marked the first instance of transportation IC cards being used as hotel room keys within Japan, highlighting an innovative application of existing contactless technology.

The hotel features clear views of the nearby ES-CON FIELD baseball stadium

The ES-CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Ekimae will now be the first hotel in the Hokkaido region to adopt the new check-in system following its implementation at their sister hotel in Nagoya, Minn STATION Ai Nagoya.

ES-CON FIELD HOKKAIDO HOTEL Kitahiroshima Ekimae is located close to ES-CON FIELD, the home stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters professional baseball team.

The hotel offers facilities designed to provide a comfortable stay for a range of guests, including baseball enthusiasts.

Guests can choose to stay in one of twenty Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters themed rooms

Accommodation options include standard guest rooms, “starlight floors” offering enhanced views or amenities, suites and 20 Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters themed rooms.

Source: PR Times