4-Sterne-Hotels in Hokkaidō, Japan

The staff doesn't try to hide the unequal service offered to foreign guests compared to that of the locals. No staff member offered to help us with our luggage. The rooms have poor sound isolation and you can hear your neighbours and the room above very clearly, particularly foot steps, which make sleeping difficult.

Room is spacious and for the price was a great deal (although noted I was visiting during shoulder season). Beautiful views of the mountain range from the hotel’s lounge on a clear day. I enjoyed the afternoon wine tastings. The muscat grape juice was also delicious! A very nice and relaxing stay at this hotel. It is quite far from the station though, so best to have a car to get to the hotel and get around.

Das Hotelzimmer ist groß, die Landschaft ist gut, es gibt einen speziellen Chicken-Station, der 16e Stock hat eine kostenlose Lounge, Getränke, Kaffee, roter weißer Wein und Bier, Gemüse-Kleinfrüchte ⋯⋯ Das japanische französische Essen mit einem Schalenfrüchte-Essen ist sehr erstaunlich und der Service ist super gut.

Loved that the hotel allows guests with tattoo to use the onsen though this wasn’t made known explicitly with written signs. Hotel was located at the end of Tanukoji so it’s a distance from the main area although still walkable. Note that the bathroom doesn’t have a space to put your dry clothes and you will have to wear it outside unless you do not mind the bottom of your pants getting wet. Not very convenient for mix gender groups even though there’s a blind you can draw but still be visible from the mirror reflection. Room was located in the annex building which has alot of stairs so not that convenient for elderlies too. Overall, decent hotel but recommended only if you have no issues walking or are driving.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, making the stay very comfortable from check-in to check-out. The location is excellent, only about a 3-minute walk from the tram station, which makes getting around very easy. There are also many restaurants nearby, so finding food is never a problem. The room was clean and well maintained, and the onsen was very nice and relaxing after a long day. Overall, a great stay and I would definitely recommend this hotel.

Dieses Hotel ist sehr gut. Jedes Mal, wenn ich zwei aufeinanderfolgende Tage dort bleibe, ändern sich die Gerichte an beiden Tagen. Im Vergleich zu meinem Aufenthalt im Januar 2020 gibt es jetzt eine Selbstbedienungsbar und die Qualität des Abendessens ist besser als zuvor. Doch während dieser Mahlzeit gab es eine Episode: Ich dachte, der gebratene Fisch sei abgestanden, weil der faserige Teil des Fleisches begonnen hatte, sich zu zersetzen (Bild 9), und es unmöglich war, ihn in Stücke zu trennen. Ich befragte das Restaurant dazu, und das Restaurantpersonal erkundigte sich beim Koch und sagte mir, dass diese Art von Hokkaido-Fisch so sei. Aufgrund meiner jahrzehntelangen Erfahrung mit dem Verzehr unzähliger Fische auf der ganzen Welt bin ich mit der Erklärung des Hotelrestaurants nicht einverstanden. Aber ansonsten war das Essen sehr gut.

Wir sind mit diesem ryokan wunderbar und hilfreich. Sie holten uns in schwerem Schnee auf dem JR-Station und begrüßten uns mit warmem Tee am Eingang. :) Das Abendessen und das Frühstück waren perfekt und wir hatten eine wunderbare Zeit im privaten Onsen! Würde sicherlich jedem empfehlen.

Tabino Hotel Ishikari (旅之酒店石狩) is a relatively new hotel that opened in late 2025, and it quickly became one of my favorite stops during my Hokkaido trip. Located in Ishikari City, it’s about a 15–20 minute drive from central Sapporo areas like Hokkaido University or Odori Park, making it a smart choice for those who want easy access to the city without staying right in the busy downtown. One of the first things that struck me was the massive parking lot—it’s a spacious, flat, free parking area with plenty of spots, even for larger vehicles (though larger ones might need prior arrangement). No stress about circling for a space or paying extra fees, which is a huge plus for self-drive travelers in Hokkaido. The room felt pleasantly spacious compared to many budget or business hotels in Japan. I could fully open my suitcase, unpack comfortably, and still have plenty of room to move around. All rooms come equipped with handy in-room amenities like a washing machine, microwave, and fridge, which are great for longer stays or if you want to heat up snacks. The surroundings are remarkably quiet and peaceful, giving that relaxing escape-from-the-city vibe, especially at night. Yet, convenience is never compromised—there’s a 24-hour convenience store (like a 7-Eleven) just a 1-minute walk away, perfect for grabbing late-night snacks, drinks, breakfast items, or anything you need without driving. It’s such a thoughtful location balance. One of the biggest highlights is the on-site hot spring facility. The large public bath uses an artificial onsen inspired by Noboribetsu’s Shirakaba-no-Yu (white birch hot spring), with milky, smooth water that’s incredibly soothing after a day of driving or sightseeing. There’s also a sauna, making it easy to unwind and recharge right at the hotel—no need to hunt for external onsens. Cleanliness is top-notch throughout the property. Everything from the lobby and corridors to the rooms and bath areas felt spotless and well-maintained, with fresh linens and no lingering odors. It’s clear the staff takes pride in keeping the place immaculate. Overall, Tabino Hotel Ishikari offers excellent value: comfortable, feature-packed rooms, unbeatable parking convenience, that perfect mix of tranquility and nearby 24/7 shopping, plus the bonus of relaxing in the hot springs without leaving the hotel. It’s ideal for self-drive explorers, families, or anyone wanting a peaceful yet practical base near Sapporo. I’d definitely stay here again on future trips!

The traditional tatami room truly impressed us, but the highlight of our stay was the open-air private sulphur onsen in our room. It was incredibly therapeutic, and I absolutely loved the natural sulphur scent that filled the space—it made the experience feel authentic and deeply relaxing. A heartfelt shoutout to the staff for their exceptional hospitality. From the warm welcome upon arrival to assisting with our luggage and thoughtfully preparing our beds, every detail was handled with care. They were genuinely kind and attentive throughout our stay. Although the hotel is quite old, we appreciated it as part of its vintage charm. It feels like a place rich with history and stories, which adds a unique character you don’t often find in modern hotels. The 7-course kaiseki dinner completely blew us away. From the exquisite plating to the impeccable service, every dish reflected the chef’s dedication and craftsmanship. Even breakfast exceeded our expectations. While described as a buffet, the beautifully presented bento-style offerings along with the comforting soup-based dishes were both satisfying and delicious. Yes, the price is on the higher side, but it is absolutely worth every penny we spent.

Location of hotel is quite good. Need to walk 15 minutes from Hakodate Station. Hotel breakfast provided in Japanese restaurant is fantastically good. Rich variety of local Japanese food. Service provided by hotel was bad n needed to be improved: (1) Check in to hotel is strictly starts at 3pm, which is vy late. Most Japan hotel checks in at 2pm n allows earlier check in. Customers needed to wait n queue up in long line to check in. Hotel is not flexible n has no alternative plans to open up check in earlier even though long queues of people are waiting for 3pm. Long queue is blocking the hotel lobby reception too. Worst is that there are a few staffs sitting at reception counter not doing anything to accommodate to crowded waiting at counter. Vy poor service provided by hotel front office reception. (2) Same thing as waiting in long queue for daily breakfast. Waiting time is too long. Will need the staff to take one by one customer to respective table. There's only one staff taking charge. Will need to upgrade the service by adding one or two more staff to be on duty at the counter.