JR Inn Hakodate

The breakfast was great, with lots of tasty choices, and the staff were friendly. Our 16-square-meter room was okay, though a bit small for two adults with two large suitcases. It was warm and felt very safe while it snowed outside. We didn’t have enough time to check out the public baths or the lounge on the 12th floor. JR station has somewhere for a late dinner just a two-minute walk away on its second floor. After checkout, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and shop around the station. We’ll definitely stay at JR inn again when we visit Hakodate.

The bed and pillows were the best part for me. The bed was warm, fluffy, and very comfortable, and the smaller pillows supported my neck so well that I woke up without discomfort for the first time in ages. There’s complimentary coffee on L 12, a nice spot to unwind. They also have different kinds of pillows by the front desk for guests to choose from. The hotel is just steps from where you arrive. If you’re at the main entrance or JR info counter, stay inside the building and turn right to find the hotel sign. We made the mistake of hauling our luggage out into heavy snow! The lobby isn’t very big and can get crowded at peak times, but the line moves quickly and the staff are efficient. The elevator can also be busy. The only small downside was the laundromat. You may have to wait if someone leaves finished laundry in the machines. If that happens, call the front desk and they’ll help move it. Hakodate is truly underrated, and this hotel made the trip even better.

The bathroom design was my only complaint. There wasn’t anywhere to hang my toiletry bag or put my clothes. Otherwise, the room was renovated and cozy, the bed was so comfortable I didn’t realize it was a rollaway until checkout, and the sound insulation kept noise from other rooms out. It’s easy to get to the JR station and traditional fish market, and the famous brick warehouse is within walking distance too.

The coin laundry was a real hassle. All five washers and dryers seemed to be busy, so I had to stand around waiting, sometimes because guests didn’t collect their finished laundry promptly. I wouldn’t do laundry here again: my clothes came out smelling awful, and the detergent that dispensed automatically was really smelly. The hotel is centrally located, with spacious, clean rooms and an awesome view of the bay and Mt Hakodate. Be sure to book a mountain-view room. The staff were friendly, and the onsen wasn’t crowded. I skipped the breakfast tickets since the morning market is nearby. The 12th-floor lounge was very relaxing, and the coffee was delicious, especially considering it’s the oldest in Hokkaido. I’ll stay at JR INN hotels again.