The Best Hakodate Hotel with Private Onsen (2025)

Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by Audrey

Looking for a Hakodate hotel with a private onsen? Here are the top 10 hotels!

So, you're looking into visiting Hakodate, and you heard that Hakodate is a popular onsen town.

You've got that right, the Yunokawa area in Hakodate is famously regarded as one of the top 3 onsen areas in Hokkaido!

Staying in a private onsen during my trip to Hakodate was an absolute dream, and one of my favorite experiences to date. There is something utterly special about enjoying a hot spring bath, sipping on some cheap alcohol we picked up from a konbini, and watching the waves glisten during sunset.

I've been in your shoes, and I know just how hard it is to find a hotel that has a private onsen. Aimlessly clicking around and translating websites to figure out an answer. The endless Reddit posts. Been there, done that.

After doing my own research and personally staying there myself, I want to share my findings with you! Here are my top recommendations for the best Hakodate hotels with private onsen.

things to know about Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen

The history of Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen

Yunokawa Onsen is one of the top 3 hot spring areas in northern Japan, drawing roots all the way to the Edo Period in 1653 when the ninth lord of the Matsumae clan, Takahiro, recovered from an incurable illness after bathing in the spring.

In gratitude, his mother rebuilt the Yakashiro Hall there and donated a crocodile bell, marking the beginning of Yunokawa Onsen.

The term "Yunokawa" is believed to be derived from the Ainu language of 'yu' (hot water), and 'pettsu' (river).

Why do people visit Yunokawa Onsen?

Millions of visitors come to Hakodate and Yunokawa onsen because it's the perfect blend of rejuvenation, perfect scenery, and incredible cuisine. I absolutely fell in love with this town when I visited.

There's a good amount of things to do around the area, the food is incredible, and it's a terrific place to enjoy onsen.

What makes Yunokawa Onsen special?

The waters of Yunokawa Onsen are known for having a high content of minerals, specifically sodium, calcium, and chloride. The high concentrations of salt prevent your skin from drying out, improve neuralgia, myalgia, and arthralgia, and promote healing and recovery.

If you want to get into the nitty gritty, you can check out the specific mineral properties from Yunokawa's hot spring water here! Bourou Noguchi, one of the top onsen hotels in Hakodate (and #3 on my list!), posted a detailed classification of their hot spring.

Top 10 Best Hakodate Hotels with Private Onsen

Here are the best hotels in Hakodate with private onsen. I'll give you a quick rundown on everything with important need-to-know information so you can make your perfect choice.

1. Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Private outdoor onsen overlooking the ocean

My Thoughts on Yunokawa Prince Hotel

I personally stayed at Yunokawa Prince and absolutely loved it.

This four-star hotel offers amazing service, delicious food, and the outdoor open-air onsen feels like a dream. We spent the evening watching the sunset over the beach in our private onsen and then enjoyed both their dinner and breakfast buffet which were equally outstanding.

At night, It was such a relaxing experience, and paying extra for our own onsen was absolutely worth it.

We paid $342 for one night with breakfast included, but we got too lazy to leave the hotel and ended up adding their dinner buffet for $40/person, bringing our grand total to $422, or $211/person. Yes, it's pricey, but I completely think it was worth the value.

I made a full in-depth review about my stay at Yunokawa Prince, which you can check out here. It was a total 5-star stay from me!

"We had an en-suite onsen that had incredible views of the ocean. We found ourselves looking forward to the end of the day because we could take a dip and relax. Many of our group even woke up early to start the day with onsen as well! Highly recommend."

- David (Read more reviews)

2. Heiseikan Shiosaitei ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Aesthetic open air hot springs with sea views

My Thoughts on Heiseikan Shiosaitei

Heiseikan Shiosaitei will take your breath away every day as you walk around the hotel and capture the beautiful ocean views.

If you book a room with a private open-air bath, you're in for a heavenly experience! The tubs are traditionally designed, and the rooms are very spacious with tatami flooring.

The highlight of this hotel has got to be the buffet dinner, with unlimited snow crab legs, fresh sashimi, and a huge variety of dishes.

If you like this hotel but it's sold out, check their separate annex called Hanatsuki, which also offers private open-air baths! However, in these rooms, the bath is made of cypress wood.

Imagine sipping a cool drink in the fragrant tub while listening to the gentle sounds of the waves!

"A stay at this comfortable onsen hotel offers breathtaking ocean views and an authentic Japanese experience. The traditional Japanese-style rooms are beautifully designed, providing a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The warm hospitality of the friendly and attentive staffenhanced the entire experience, ensuring a relaxing and memorable stay."

- Audrey (Read more reviews)

3. Bourou Noguchi Hakodate ($$$$)

💎 Standout feature: Panoramic views of Hakodate City in a luxurious space.

My Thoughts on Bourou Noguchi Hakodate

I find that in general, most ryokans with private onsen are pretty upscale. But when I tell you Bourou Noguchi is one of the most luxurious hotels I've seen, I'm not kidding!

The hotel has 4 floors with private onsen featuring incredible panoramic views of Hakodate city and the port. These rooms, called Suite and Modern, allow up to 4 guests. Suite is a unique two-story duplex-style suite with impressive modern furnishings.

On the other hand, Modern has more Japanese characteristics with tatami mats (you still have a choice between futons and beds though). The rooms in Modern are based on vintage retro Hakodate, with stained glass and rocking chairs as interior accents.

The hotel is pretty amazing, with stunning views of Hakodate everywhere you look. There are rooftop public onsens, a sky lounge with ceiling-to-floor windows, and a popular stone sauna called Ganban-Yoku, said to be amazing for your skin and health. Overall, if you want the most impressive, high-class stay possible, give this hotel a look.

"Our room was superb, we had a view of the port. The in room hot spring bath was a real winner!! As it was our first time, it was easier for my kids to have our family privacy than in the public bath. The stone sauna that they have is a gem! If only I found it earlier! Being in there really helped my tired muscles from all the walking."

- Vanessa (Read more reviews)

4. Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Accessible guest rooms designed with everyone in mind.

My Thoughts on Hewitt Resort

Hewitt Resort is a highly rated hotel offering two private open-air onsens offering incredible views of Hakodate City from the 12th floor.

The best feature of Hewitt Resort (which won the Rakuten Travel Japanese-style Hotel Award in 2023, by the way!) might just be their universal rooms, which are designed to be accessible and easy to use.

Accessible hotels are very difficult to find in Japan, yet these rooms are barrier-free, with hand rails, two double beds, and even stunning views of the mountains and rich greenery.

The other guest rooms also have awesome scenery, overlooking Tsugaru Strait or showing airplanes taking flight from Hakodate Airport.

This large hotel is perfect for experiencing traditional Hokkaido dishes, like jingisukan, soup curry, and delicious sea food!

"The room was clean and the spa was really nice. The breakfast and dinner was amazing!! I would recommend anyone to go here if you are in Hakodate."

- Emma (Read more reviews)

5. Hanabishi Hotel ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Temperature-controllable private onsen, and tattoo-friendly public onsen.

My Thoughts on Hanabishi Hotel

There are 131 total rooms in this grand hotel, and though I couldn’t find the exact number of rooms with private onsen, I have a feeling there are quite a few deluxe rooms that have a private open-air stone bath!

Up to 5 people can stay in one of their deluxe rooms, so you can definitely accommodate a sizable group. One big plus is that you can control the water temperature of your private onsen. If you’ve ever tried sitting in an onsen or jacuzzi that was a little too hot for comfort, you can understand why this is such a big bonus.

The price of this special room starts at 25,000 per night. This hotel focuses on soothing Japanese-style arrangements, and the rooms reflect that calming, natural atmosphere. However, you still have the choice between Japanese-style tatami rooms or Western beds.

In addition to these luxurious rooms, there are 4 tattoo-friendly public onsen, made of rock, cypress wood, and ceramic in a beautiful garden setting. The hotel also offers a Finnish sauna too.

Overall, this large hotel looks elegant and serene. Every aspect looks high-end, from the rooms, to the offered meals.

"I had the best sleep in YEARS, and I tried every climate, bed and pillow (okay, maybe not every, but I changed 16 countries/states in 2 last years). The whole place is just perfect: tattoo friendly public bath, tradition-inspired rooms. But the bed – is the true wonder! Thank you, Hanabishi team!”

- Alexey (Read more reviews)

6. Onuma Tsuruga Auberge Epuy ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Experience every type of onsen next to Onuma National Park!

My Thoughts on Onuma Tsuruga Auberge Epuy

I think what's unique about Onuma Tsuruga Auberge Epuy is that they are right next to Onuma National Park with incredible sightseeing spots, and they have every kind of onsen available. You could technically try out three different onsen during one stay!

You can have a private outdoor or indoor onsen in your room, or you could book a regular room for a lower price and rent a private onsen (at no additional cost!). And of course, there's a public onsen in a peaceful open-air setting.

The rooms are modern, and look quite Western. Rooms can accommodate up to 2-4 people, so it would suit couples or small groups best.

This hotel has tons of additional amenities like facials (starting at 8,800 yen, or $56), massages (starting at $49), a beautiful garden, bar and lounge areas, and even a bakery?!

The hotel is located near Onuma Quasi National Park, with scenic trails along the lake, and also provides a free shuttle service to Hakodate Airport. Staying here would allow you to experience the beauty of the national park while also enjoying a luxury stay with total convenience.

"The rooms are big and extremely clean. The view on the lake from our room was great. We had the breakfast which was varied and of high quality. I enjoyed the scrambled eggs, and my wife, who is vegan, had a great breakfast too. The staff all speak English, and are extremely polite. I absolutely recommend a stay in this hotel to enjoy the wonder of this naturalistic area!"

- Lorenzo (Read more reviews)

7. Chikuba Shinyotei Ryokan ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Huge VIP suite best for families/large groups.

My Thoughts on Chikuba Shinyotei Ryokan

Among the 41 rooms in Chikuba Shinyotei Ryokan, only one includes a private onsen: the VIP room Fukuju (Kihin), also listed as the Japanese Suite Room.

This spacious suite accommodates up to eight people, with two queen beds in the bedroom and up to eight futons.

It also includes a private outdoor onsen, an indoor cypress bath, two living rooms, dining areas, a TV, one separate bedroom, and one bathroom.

Guests can enjoy a stunning view of the inner courtyard garden. The cost of this special room ranges from 55,000 to 80,000 yen, and includes dinner and breakfast.

Maybe it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: you'd get the most value from this private onsen if you're traveling as a large group or family so that you can make use of the large space and multiple baths.

"It was very spacious, clean, comfortable and staff were friendly. Food served at dinner was exceptional and breakfast was good too. We really liked our suite room, it came with a private garden and outdoor bath."

- Jennifer (Read more reviews)

8. Yunokawa Kanko Hotel Shoen ($$)

💎 Standout feature: Games and karaoke facilities

My Thoughts on Kanko Hotel Shoen

Kanko Hotel Shoen has many private in-room open air onsen guest rooms with various bed options, or if you'd like to save some money you also have the option to book a normal room and use the private rental for a low fee instead.

The onsen have a beautiful panoramic night views of the Tsugaru Strait, and from August-October you can spot the many glowing dots of fishing lights from the squid fishing boats down below.

The hotel rooms are decorated traditionally, with both Western bed or futon tatami options. There are a lot of fun facilities available here, with 6 karaoke rooms, table tennis, and mahjong! I think this would be a great option for families, as there's many fun activities you can do at the hotel.

(P.S. If you're like me and have a grandma that plays mahjong for hours, this hotel might be an obvious choice!)

For dinner, you have the option between eating at the buffet or having a Japanese kaiseki course meal. If you decide on a kaiseki meal, there's an option for unlimited drinks (including alcoholic)!

"Best hotel ever. Staff is very accommodating and nice. Amazing dinner. Free hot spring, free karaoke room with English songs and for a small fee you can rent a private bath on the 6th floor. The dinner includes all you can drink beer and sake. Amazing sashimi!"

- Anya (Read more reviews)

9. yunohama Hotel ($$$)

💎 Standout feature: Incredible views of Tsugaru Strait

My Thoughts on Yunohama Hotel

Yunohama Hotel is another option with incredible seaside views from every guest room. In-room onsen baths are offered, and you have the option to soak in either the ceramic or cypress bath as you overlook the Hokkaido Sea.

The rooms are newly renovated in 2024, and the space looks refreshingly airy and comfortable. Warm sunlight glows from the large windows and balcony and envelopes the whole room.

While the rooms with an onsen are mostly Japanese-style, but you might be able to snag the limited supply Western-style room if you prefer to sleep in a bed.

Meals use fresh seafood and produce from the mountains, and Hokkaido specialties like Hakodate salt ramen and Genghis Khan teppanyaki.

I especially recommend trying the specially made ramen. They start cooking the broth early in the morning and use the best ingredients, making it better than a restaurant you'll find in Hakodate!

"The open-air bath overlooking the Tsugaru Straits is a wonderful setting where you can feel one with the waves and the sea breeze. The rooms are simple and beautiful, and the picturesque ocean view is overwhelming. The staff are also very friendly, making for a wonderful stay."

- Mizue (Read more reviews)

10. yumoto takuboku tei ($$)

💎 Standout feature: private onsen rooms include a TV, massage chair, and infant bed.

Takuboku Tei Overview

Yumoto Takuboku Tei would be a good choice for friends, groups, and families. Although there are no in-room onsen, they have 3 rental onsen that also include a massage chair, tv, and accessories for infants! After your bath, you can cool down in the onsen lounge designed after a Japanese tea house.

The rooms have a picturesque view of Hakodate and Mount Hakodate, and come in various sizes. In fact, their largest room can accommodate up to 10 people!

The hotel itself is extremely stunning. As soon as you enter the the lobby, you'll see a panoramic view of their carefully manicured garden that contains with preserved pine and azaleas more than 100 years old. It looks especially stunning in the fall when the foliage transforms into colors of the sunset!

I think this hotel is best for big groups younger in age who want to experience a private onsen in a budget-friendly way. It's wonderfully designed in a traditional style, and you can see incredible views of the mountains and ocean from the baths.

💡 Pro tip: Keep in mind this is an older ryokan, and guests have to walk up some stairs in order to enter.

"The front desk staff and the staff at the breakfast and dinner buffets were very kind and helpful, and we had a great time with our family. We are very satisfied and would love to come back again!"

- Akira (Read more reviews)

Tips for booking ryokan and onsen Hotels in Hakodate

Book well in advance! Most ryokans open their bookings 3-6 months in advance and get booked up very quickly. I recommend booking on sites that offer free cancellation like Booking and Agoda. That way you have the spot, but can always cancel if your plans change.

If you want to enjoy breakfast/dinner, make sure to verify with the hotel directly so they can prepare your meal. The hotels need to be notified in advance so they can prepare accordingly, and sometimes things get lost in translation when booking online.

Don't book too much to do during your stay. Ryokans are a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy. Make sure you have adequate time to enjoy the hotel, the onsen, and all the amenities they have to offer.

The first time I stayed at a hotel with a private onsen, we booked a tour an hour after check-in and were rushing the check-in process because we didn't have a lot of time. There was a whole tea ceremony with snacks that we rushed through and didn't get to enjoy.

Everything is well thought out, (even your check-in!) so don't book too many events during your short stay! You're paying a premium to stay here, make sure you're present for it!

free map of Hakodate Hotels with Private Onsen

Hakodate hotel with private onsen: FAQs

Final Thoughts

There you have it, my top list of Hakodate onsen hotels!

Booking a private onsen on the Hokkaido coast was one of my most memorable experiences during my numerous trips to Japan, and I hope you get to relish in that same magic.

I hope this post was able to help you make your decision on where to stay during your Hakodate trip! Let me know how things go!

As always, if you have any questions or want assistance planning your trip, feel free to reach out to me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com!

Related posts on Hakodate:

Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei: Complete Review Of The Four-Star Hotel

Is Hakodate Worth Visiting? A Beautiful Coastal Town In Japan

The Best Hakodate Itinerary: Stunning Views And Hokkaido Flavors

Is Goryokaku Worth Visiting? How To Make The Most Of Your Trip To Hakodate

Transportation From Hakodate To Sapporo: Which Option Is The Best?