HAKODATE Travel Tips

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[Stay Report] Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akari no Yu: In-room Laundry and a “Choose Your Own” Morning Market Breakfast

A daytime photograph of the modern, multi-story facade of the Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akari no Yu building under a clear blue sky.
Modern exterior of Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi.

Located just a 3-minute walk from Hakodate Station and right in the heart of the bustling Morning Market area, Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akari no Yu offers a unique “stay like you live there” experience. From practical in-room facilities to an innovative breakfast system, here is my detailed report on this exceptional hotel.

1. “Live-in” Room Amenities: Laundry, Microwave, and Kitchen

I stayed in a Standard Twin (19㎡). The defining feature of this hotel is that every room is equipped with a washer/dryer and a microwave.

  • A wide-angle view of a modern hotel twin room featuring two beds with blue runners, a wooden work desk, and a large window overlooking the ocean.
    Standard Twin Room
  • An overhead view of the twin room showing the arrangement of the beds, the small dining table, and the entrance hallway.
    Standard Twin Room
  • A view from the seating area showing a small wooden table, a light blue checkered chair, and a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.
    Living area with wall-mounted TV.
  • Laundry: Liquid detergent is provided in the room. Being able to do laundry in your own room—reducing the amount of luggage you need to pack—is a game-changer for any traveler.
  • Microwave: Having one in the room means you can enjoy hot snacks or meals from outside whenever you like.
  • Kitchenette: The room includes an IH heater and a small sink. While basic, you can borrow cooking utensils from the front desk if you fancy a bit of light cooking.
  • A close-up shot within a hotel room showing a white washer/dryer unit positioned below a built-in shelf holding a silver microwave oven.
    In-room washer/dryer and microwave.
  • A photograph of a small, modern hotel kitchenette featuring a stainless steel sink, a single IH burner, an under-counter refrigerator, and upper cabinets.
    Compact kitchenette for basic cooking.
  • A close-up shot of a small, under-counter refrigerator built into the kitchenette cabinetry, likely shown with the door open.
    Small under-counter refrigerator.
  • An open drawer in the kitchenette containing sets of ceramic plates, bowls, mugs, and cutlery neatly arranged for guests.
    Basic tableware provided in the room.
  • A detailed shot of the kitchenette counter showing a built-in single-burner induction (IH) cooktop next to a small stainless steel sink with a modern faucet.
    Single IH hob and compact sink.

2. Thoughtful Hospitality: Shoe Dryers and Pick-up Amenities

Walking around Hakodate can often mean dealing with rain or snow. To my surprise, every room is equipped with a shoe dryer, a thoughtful touch for Hokkaido’s climate.

A black Twinbird electric shoe dryer placed on the windowsill with a view of the Hakodate harbor in the background.
In-room electric shoe dryer.

In line with eco-friendly practices, rooms only come with a toothbrush. All other items (razors, hairbrushes, etc.) can be picked up at the amenity bar in the 1st-floor elevator hall.

3. Smart Tech and Connectivity

Upon entering the room, the TV turns on automatically to display hotel information, weather, and—most importantly—the real-time congestion status of the hot spring baths.

  • A close-up of a hand holding a TV remote with dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, with the Netflix logo visible on the TV screen in the background.
    Smart TV compatible with streaming services.
  • A flat-screen TV displaying the hotel's information menu, specifically showing the real-time occupancy levels of the 18th-floor public baths.
    Real-time onsen congestion status on TV.
  • A close-up of the wooden headboard panel between the beds, featuring two USB ports, two AC power outlets, and four light switches.
    Bedside charging ports and light controls.
  • Streaming Services: If you have your own accounts, you can connect to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more directly on the big screen.
  • Power Supply: The bedside is well-equipped with two outlets and two USB ports, making it easy to charge multiple devices overnight.
  • Wi-Fi: The connection was fast and very comfortable for work or browsing.

4. Top-Floor Hot Spring “Akari no Yu” and Sky Bar

The 18th floor features a large public hot spring bath with an outdoor area offering panoramic views of the city and the sea.

  • Interior of the modern, warm-lit hotel lounge on the 18th floor at night, featuring dark wood paneling, contemporary seating areas, and large windows looking out at blurred city lights.
    Cozy top-floor lounge with a stunning city night view.
  • Relaxing ambiance for a post-onsen drink.
    A low-light photograph from inside the 18th-floor sky lounge, focusing on the expansive glass windows that reveal the sprawling dark cityscape of Hakodate under a night sky, with warm reflections from interior lights.
  • A glass of beer and a glass of shochu sitting on a high wooden table in the lounge, positioned perfectly to frame the dark, majestic silhouette of Mt. Hakodate across the bay through the large windows.
    Enjoying a drink with the iconic Mt. Hakodate view.
  • A close-up shot focusing on two drinks on a wooden table, with a slightly blurred but recognizable panoramic view of the sparkling city night lights of Hakodate stretching out below the windows.
    Cheers to the sparkling Hakodate nightscape.
  • The Baths: The views (Hakodate Bay vs. City side) alternate between men and women daily.
  • Lounge & Bar: At night, the lounge operates as a bar (closing at 10:00 PM). It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a drink while looking at the lights of Mt. Hakodate.
  • Tip: There is a Lawson convenience store just a 1-minute walk away if you need ice or drinks after the bar closes.

5. Ultimate Freedom: Breakfast at 18 Morning Market Shops

Instead of a standard hotel buffet, you receive a voucher for 18 partner restaurants within the Morning Market.

  • Variety: You can choose from seafood bowls, ramen sets, or even kettle-cooked rice (kamameshi).
  • Flexibility: The vouchers are valid for one month from the date of issue! If your schedule changes, you can even save it to use the following day or on a future visit.

6. A Heartwarming Discovery in the Lobby

  • A brick-textured wall in the hotel lobby featuring a board with colorful handwritten guest feedback cards and a nearby informational sign on an easel.
    Multilingual guest review corner in the lobby.
  • A close-up shot of an open spiral notebook in the lobby, containing rows of colorful cards with handwritten restaurant reviews in various languages.
    A notebook filled with authentic local dining tips from guests.

While waiting at the front desk, I noticed a collection of “Guest Impression Cards” from local restaurants. In a corner of the lobby, these cards—written by previous guests in various languages—are compiled into a large notebook. It’s a wonderful resource for finding authentic local dining spots based on real reviews.

7. Real “Checkpoints” from My Stay

To keep this review honest, here are a few things I noticed:

  • Dryness: There are no thermometers or hygrometers in the room. Only an air purifier/humidifier combo is provided, and I found the air to be quite dry during the winter.
  • Mobile Beds: The casters on the beds seemed a bit loose, making them slide quite easily.
  • Room Wear: The material is similar to sports bibs—it doesn’t wrinkle and feels very smooth on the skin, even after a post-bath sweat.
A tan-colored V-neck room wear shirt with dark trim laid out on a white hotel bed.
Smooth, wrinkle-resistant room wear top.
A pair of black, loose-fitting drawstring pajama pants laid out on a white hotel bed.
Breathable room wear pants designed for post-bath comfort.

Conclusion

Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akari no Yu perfectly blends practical “apartment-style” living with the excitement of Hakodate’s tourism. The ability to do laundry in your room and then head out to the market for a customized breakfast makes for a truly stress-free and local-feeling trip!

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

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