HAKODATE Travel Tips

〜Hakodate through my lens: Real stories, Real advice〜


[Stay Report] JR INN Hakodate: Train Views, Pillow Bars, and a Revolving Sushi Breakfast!

A night view photograph of the modern, lit-up building of JR INN Hakodate, situated directly adjacent to the Hakodate Station building under a dark sky.
The exterior of JR INN Hakodate at night, showcasing its unbeatable location right next to the station.

Located “almost directly connected” to JR Hakodate Station, JR INN Hakodate is the ultimate base for your Hokkaido adventure. With only a 4-meter walk outside from the station exit, you’re sheltered by the station roof almost the entire way—making it perfect for rainy or snowy days.

Here is a detailed report on the unique features and thoughtful hospitality that made my stay exceptional.

1. Breakfast Surprise: A Revolving Sushi Lane!

The highlight of the morning is undoubtedly the breakfast buffet. Believe it or not, the restaurant features a revolving sushi lane, allowing you to enjoy fresh sushi right from the start of your day! There is also a “Kaisen-don” (seafood bowl) station where you can customize your own bowl.

During my visit, due to a seasonal shortage of salmon roe (ikura), they provided one small bowl of ikura per breakfast ticket. While the overall variety of dishes felt slightly smaller compared to some massive hotel chains, the unique experience of morning conveyor-belt sushi makes it a must-try.

2. Staying in the Spacious “Premier Twin Room”

I stayed in the Premier Twin Room, which offers a generous 34㎡ of space. It felt incredibly open, with plenty of room to spread out suitcases without feeling cramped.

  • A wide view of a modern hotel premier twin room, showing two beds, a small sofa, table, TV, and a large window looking out at train tracks.
    Premier Twin Room.
  • View from inside the hotel room looking towards the entrance door, showing an open closet area with hangers and a full-length mirror.
    Premier Twin Room.
  • A close-up shot of a desk in a hotel room, featuring a lamp, an information tablet, tissues, and an air purifier on the floor next to it.
    Premier Twin Room.

A quick tip on the bathrooms: While standard singles and twins at JR INN Hakodate only have showers, the Premier Twin (and Large Twin or higher) comes with a full-sized bathtub. If you love a long soak in private, be sure to choose your room type carefully!

A clean, modern hotel bathroom interior featuring a large, deep white bathtub with a shower head and separated washing area.
Full-sized bathtub in the bathroom.
A focused shot of a modern hotel washroom sink area, featuring a white basin, a large mirror, soap dispenser, and two cups.
Clean and modern washroom sink area.
A white Panasonic hair dryer resting on its navy blue storage bag on a wooden side table.
Quality Panasonic hair dryer.

3. Top-Floor “Sky Seats”: Hot Springs & Lounge

A wide panoramic view through floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge showing the city of Hakodate, the harbor, and the iconic Mt. Hakodate.
Panoramic view of Mt. Hakodate from the lounge.

The hotel’s crown jewel is the top floor.

  • Large Public Bath (Onsen): A true “Train View” spa! You can look down onto the Hakodate Station platforms and watch the trains come and go. At night, the station lights create a beautiful, nostalgic atmosphere.
  • Lounge & Relaxation Area: Massive windows offer a stunning view of Mt. Hakodate. Enjoying a complimentary coffee while watching the scenery is pure bliss.
  • The entrance area of the public hot spring bath showing red curtains for women and blue curtains for men on a clean wooden floor leading into a lounge area.
    Entrance to the top-floor onsen.
  • Interior of the sky lounge featuring stylish booth seating, warm pendant lights, and large windows overlooking the city.
    Relaxing top-floor sky lounge.
  • A professional coffee machine in the lounge serving local Misuzu Coffee, equipped with stacks of paper cups and various tea bags.
    Complimentary Misuzu Coffee station.
  • A close-up shot of a decorative paper cup on a wooden table in the lounge, with a blurred view of Mt. Hakodate in the background.
    Coffee break with a mountain view.

4. Thoughtful Details for a Comfortable Stay

The “little things” at this hotel really impressed me:

  • A photograph of the hotel's pillow bar, showing a wall of wooden cubbies filled with various types of pillows and a sign explaining how to choose one.
    12-type Pillow Bar selection area.
  • A light brown non-woven fabric tote bag resting on a wooden surface next to a card explaining a winter gear donation program.
    Complimentary tote bag and donation info.
  • Close-up of a bedside panel featuring a black reading light, light switches, a USB port, and a standard power outlet.
    Bedside reading light and power ports.
  • An open desk drawer containing a multi-device charging cable, a black LAN cable, and a laundry service order form.
    Desk drawer with multi-chargers and LAN cable.
  • The Pillow Bar: In the lobby, you can choose from 12 different types of pillows to find the perfect height and firmness for a great night’s sleep.
  • The Multi-purpose Tote Bag: The room provides a non-woven fabric bag that is perfect for carrying clothes to the onsen. It’s sturdy enough that you’ll want to take it home as a handy travel souvenir!
  • The “Donation” System: If you bought snow shoes or earmuffs for the Hokkaido winter but can’t fit them in your luggage for the flight home, you can leave them at the front desk as a donation. It’s a wonderful, sustainable way to pass on useful gear.
  • Digital Convenience: Fast and reliable Wi-Fi, bedside USB ports and outlets for every bed, and a clock displaying temperature and humidity—essential for staying comfortable in hotel rooms.
  • Cute Mascot Guides: Scan the QR code in your room for hotel info, including a charming animated video of a bear and a fox explaining onsen etiquette.

5. Functional Room Features

  • Amenities: Only toothbrushes are in the room; pick up everything else you need at the lobby amenity bar.
  • Room Wear: A comfortable two-piece set made of breathable fabric that stays dry even after a post-onsen sweat.
A set of brown, waffle-textured one-piece hotel pajamas laid out neatly on a white bed.
Comfortable one-piece room wear.

Conclusion

JR INN Hakodate is more than just a convenient station hotel. From the thrill of watching trains from your bathtub or the spa to the novelty of revolving sushi for breakfast, it offers a stay filled with “only in Hakodate” moments.

Enjoy every moment of your Hakodate journey, and travel safe!

  • A close-up shot looking down at the hotel lobby floor, which has embedded metal rails and wooden sleepers designed to look exactly like a railroad track.
    The lobby floor designed to look like a real railroad track.
  • A corner of the hotel lobby featuring various historic colorful train headmarks, a station sign for Hakodate, and vintage train seats.
    Historic train headmarks on display.
  • A high-angle view from a guest room window looking down at Hakodate Station's platforms and tracks with a classic red and cream train, set against a backdrop of distant mountains and a blue sky.
    Train view from the room window.

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