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Hey there! I just got back from the most amazing stay at Hakodate’s Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort, and I can’t wait to share my experience with you. This hidden gem isn’t super well-known among international travelers yet, but it’s incredibly popular with Japanese tourists – and for good reason! From check-in to the public baths, dinner buffet, and breakfast spread, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this fantastic hot spring hotel.
Location and Access
The Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort is most easily reached by bus from Hakodate Station, taking about 20 minutes. One slight downside is that buses don’t run early in the morning or late at night, so you’ll need to use the tram or taxi during those times. From the Yunokawa Onsen tram stop, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the hotel. The walk can be a bit dark and uncomfortable at night, but during daytime hours, the direct bus makes transportation super convenient.
I’d recommend checking in and checking out as early as possible to make the most of your stay. Oh, and right in front of the hotel is the famous Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden with its bathing snow monkeys! Definitely worth a visit while you’re staying here.
Check-in Experience
- Check-in: From 3:00 PM
- Check-out: Until 11:00 AM
When I first arrived at the hotel, there was quite a wait because it was so packed with guests. It seems to be more popular with local Japanese tourists than international visitors. The staff at check-in were incredibly friendly and helpful. I was actually worried because I thought I might have messed up my reservation date, but they kindly helped me book a room on the spot. Thankfully, the price wasn’t much different from the online rate, so I was able to stay without any problems.
During check-in, you’ll need to select your dinner and breakfast times in advance. I looked at the schedule and chose the latest times for both meals. The hotel’s buffet dining is super popular, which is why they manage entry times this way.
By the way, there’s a welcome drink server at the check-in counter where you can enjoy a complimentary beverage while waiting.
Room Details
I booked a Standard Double Room. The hotel has ocean view rooms and standard rooms – I went with the most affordable standard option. Even without the premium view, I was pleasantly surprised by how open and unobstructed the view was since there aren’t any tall buildings nearby.
The room itself was a typical Japanese-style accommodation – on the smaller side but perfectly comfortable. Since the hotel is a new building, everything was clean, fresh, and in excellent condition. True to Japanese onsen hotel tradition, they provided comfortable yukata (Japanese-style pajamas). The bathroom had a tub and all the necessary amenities, though I didn’t use the room’s shower since I spent most of my time in the hotel’s amazing public bath.
The Public Bath Experience
One of the hotel’s most important facilities is its public bath (onsen). Since the hotel is located in Yunokawa, one of Hakodate’s famous hot spring areas, many people come specifically for the onsen experience. What makes it special is the outdoor bath with ocean views! I visited in March when Hokkaido was still pretty chilly, and the contrast between the cold air and the hot spring water was absolutely divine.
The bath area isn’t huge but has adequate space to enjoy comfortably without feeling crowded. Besides the main public bath, there’s also a separate family bath for those who want more privacy. They’ve also got massage chairs and other relaxation facilities nearby.
Other Hotel Amenities
Beyond the public bath, the hotel offers several convenient amenities. On the 6th and 10th floors, you’ll find vending machines and ice makers, which are perfect if you bring convenience store snacks or beer back to your room. Speaking of convenience stores, there’s a Lawson about a 5-minute walk away, where I picked up some snacks.
On the first floor, there’s a Japanese restaurant serving sushi and other dishes if you want something besides the buffet. There’s also a souvenir shop where you can buy local food items and gifts to take home.
Dinner and Breakfast Buffet: A Culinary Highlight
The buffet meals at Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort are honestly one of the biggest highlights of staying here. Considering the reasonable room rates, the quality and variety of food offered is absolutely incredible. The meals alone made the stay worthwhile! I’ll share the detailed buffet experience below.
Meal Time Reservations
During check-in, if you’re planning to enjoy the buffet meals, you’ll need to select specific times for both dinner and breakfast. As I mentioned earlier, most guests dine at the hotel, making the restaurant quite busy. That’s why they schedule dining times to manage the flow of guests.
I booked the latest dinner slot because I wanted to visit Mount Hakodate Observatory first. The night view from there is famous, so I stayed out late and had to take the tram back, which was a bit of a transportation challenge. I just barely made it back in time for my dinner reservation, but fortunately, the restaurant was still well-stocked with plenty of food options and quite a few other diners.
Dinner Buffet
The restaurant was packed with guests enjoying the dinner buffet. The quality of both dinner and breakfast buffets is so good that almost all hotel guests choose to dine in. One minor drawback was that the restaurant felt a bit crowded with tables placed quite close together.
The first thing that caught my eye at the dinner buffet was the steak station. They offered steak with various toppings, which was excellent. Personally, what impressed me most was the seafood section. They had tuna sashimi, king crab, and various other seafood options. The tuna sashimi came minced, and when eaten with rice, it rivaled expensive kaisen-don (seafood rice bowls). The salad selection was also diverse with plenty of toppings and dressings. There was also a wide range of Japanese side dishes.
Beyond seafood, another impressive option was the Japanese ramen. During my Hokkaido trip, I hadn’t yet had the chance to try Hakodate’s famous shio ramen, so I was delighted to find it at the hotel dinner buffet. They also offered various fried dishes, fruits, breads, and desserts – everything was provided so generously that the dinner buffet exceeded all my expectations.
Something that might be a concern at dinner buffets is the alcohol selection, but they had that covered too. A staff member provided an English menu, which made ordering easy. They offered an all-you-can-drink option for about 2,500 yen per person, which included wine, sake, highballs, and beer. Since I was already quite full from the buffet food, I just ordered a single beer.
Breakfast Buffet
After being so impressed with the dinner buffet, I had high expectations for breakfast – and I wasn’t disappointed! The restaurant was just as busy in the morning. The first thing that caught my attention was, again, the seafood section. While most hotels don’t typically serve seafood for breakfast, this place was different. They offered tuna, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and salmon – all high-quality items you’d rarely find at a breakfast buffet. Additionally, there was grilled chicken, various salads, and Japanese side dishes that made for a truly satisfying morning meal.
In the morning, they also served milk ice cream, various desserts, fruits, and yogurt. Surprisingly, unlimited wine was available at the breakfast buffet too! Of course, being morning, I didn’t drink much, but enjoying a free glass of wine was a nice touch. After finishing the meal, there was a coffee takeout corner near the elevators, which perfectly wrapped up the breakfast experience.
Final Thoughts
The Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort offers an incredible value with its combination of comfortable accommodations, relaxing hot spring baths with ocean views, and truly outstanding buffet meals featuring some of Hokkaido’s best seafood. While it might not be the most luxurious option in Hakodate, the quality of the experience relative to the price makes it one of the best choices for travelers who want to experience a traditional Japanese onsen hotel with excellent dining options.
Whether you’re soaking in the hot spring while gazing at the ocean, enjoying fresh king crab at dinner, or starting your day with high-quality sashimi at breakfast, this hotel delivers an authentic Hokkaido experience that’s hard to beat. If you’re planning a trip to Hakodate, I’d highly recommend giving the Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort a try!
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