Published date: January 4, 2025
Christmas Fantasy and Winter Trip to Hakodate with Family
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Experience of the stay
Due to my daughter’s request, the three of us visited Hakodate.
The hotel we stayed at this time, the Hakodate Kokusai Hotel, is beautifully located on the waterfront overlooking Hakodate Port. It’s only an 8-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station, and the ease of access with a bus that goes directly to the hotel from Hakodate Airport is also appealing. Moreover, popular spots like Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse and the Bay Area are within walking distance, allowing us to enjoy a leisurely winter trip in Hakodate without being rushed for time.
Our room was a premium triple room with three single beds lined up. Rather than having a makeshift bed for one person, we enjoyed a spacious area with three single beds, plus a luxurious plan that included Hakodate’s famous breakfast! Everyone in the family left with smiles ☺️
The breakfast we were looking forward to was a buffet at "Azalea." The best charm was being able to make your own seafood bowl using fresh seafood! With so many choices, it was hard to decide what to pick, and we each made our own original seafood bowl with our favorite toppings. Additionally, the grilled beef shabu made at the live kitchen was exquisite! To top it off, I was surprised that red and white wine were served in the morning, which was a luxurious treat.
As it was a busy time, there was a bit of waiting time for being guided to the breakfast venue, but it was appreciated that there was a system to call us via short messages or phone, allowing us to wait comfortably in our room. Also, on the second floor, there is "Matsumae," which provides three types of hitsumabushi set meals featuring eel, seafood, and Japanese beef, so we could enjoy breakfast without getting tired of it, even on consecutive nights.
The most impressive part of our stay was the view from the large public bath. In the bath overlooking Hakodate Port, we could admire the Christmas tree floating in the harbor, and the experience of enjoying the moment of it being lit while soaking in the bath was unforgettable. Wrapped in a warm bath, watching the contrast of the clear winter sky and beautiful illuminations was truly a blissful time.
Oh! And after the bath, you can enjoy ice candy too!
Please note that there is only a large public bath, so if you prefer saunas or outdoor baths, you might find it a bit lacking.
Experiences during the trip
In the morning, we enjoyed the snow-covered scenery of Goryokaku, had lunch at Hakodate's famous Lucky Pierrot, visited a church in Motomachi to capture the Christmas spirit, and then had café time at Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse where we also shopped for souvenirs. After checking in to the hotel and taking our first hot bath ♨️, we enjoyed the illuminations of the “Christmas Fantasy” held at Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. The large Christmas tree glowing in the harbor and the illuminated warehouses added a romantic touch to the winter scenery of Hakodate. Walking together as a family in the cold air while gazing at the view was truly the highlight of the trip✨
After the Christmas Fantasy, we hurried to Mount Hakodate to catch the last ropeway, and we made it just in time for the fireworks after the fantasy.
We enjoyed the beautiful scenery from Mount Hakodate as a family✨
Since it got late after descending, we had dinner at a Genghis Khan restaurant about a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The restaurant was new and employed a system that didn’t let the smoke bother us, so even for someone like me who isn't fond of lamb, it was delicious! Just like Hokkaido!! We felt warmed up.
The next morning, after breakfast, we exercised by going to a nearby morning market to look for New Year's gifts and presents. Here, we could enjoy freshly grilled scallops and grilled king crab (though I was too full to have more than just a sniff, unfortunately).
Our stay at the Hakodate Kokusai Hotel was filled with comfort, luxury, and ample opportunities to experience Hakodate’s charm. It’s a special time that both adults and children can enjoy, so why not spend it with someone dear to you?