Nipponia Hotel Hakodate Port Town

Concept

Located in the heart of the city’s Important Preservation District, NIPPONIA HOTEL Hakodate Port Town breathes new life into century-old red-brick warehouses that once symbolized the prosperity of this northern port. Carefully restored and reborn as just nine exclusive guest rooms, the buildings now offer a one-of-a-kind stay that connects you to Hakodate’s living history. Inside, the simple yet refined interiors blend Scandinavian design with the city’s unique mix of Western and Japanese influences. At the table, savor creative French cuisine infused with the flavors of Hokkaido’s local ingredients—an unforgettable culinary journey found only in Hakodate. Step outside the hotel and stroll through stone-paved slopes, Western-style architecture, and the scenic harbor views of Hakodate’s historic West District. Here, the stories of Japan’s early international trade era remain alive in every street and building. In 2023, the hotel received the Hakodate City Urban Landscape Award for its outstanding contribution to preserving and harmonizing with the city’s historic scenery. At NIPPONIA HOTEL Hakodate Port Town, discover a stay where history, culture, and modern comfort come together—an experience only Hakodate can offer.

History of Hakodate Port Town

Hakodate is one of Japan’s earliest port towns to open to the Western world as the country transitioned from the feudal era into modern times. With the opening of the port came a rich influx of foreign cultures, giving rise to Hakodate’s unique streetscapes, where Japanese tradition blends seamlessly with Western architecture. This distinctive charm is one reason why Hakodate is renowned as one of the “Three Great Night Views of the World,” alongside Hong Kong and Naples.

Once a gateway to Japan for travelers from around the globe, Hakodate remains an ideal base for exploring the wonders of Hokkaido. The city itself offers a living glimpse into the era when Japan opened its doors to the world. Stroll along stone-paved streets, admire Western-style buildings, and take in scenic harbor views. Walking through this historic port town, you can experience the rich cultural heritage unique to Hakodate.

Expand Your Itinerary

From Hakodate Port Town, you can explore the many attractions across Hokkaido, including Sapporo. Known worldwide for the Sapporo Snow Festival held every February since 1950, Sapporo is also a dream destination for food lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

If you’re seeking winter snow activities, the world-class ski slopes of Niseko are highly recommended. For visits outside the winter season, be sure to experience Hokkaido’s stunning natural beauty, such as the lavender fields of Furano or Biei’s Blue Pond, which shimmers like a giant sapphire.

Our Story

Hakodate's old warehouses are symbolic of the area’s history as a once prosperous trading center. However, despite their historical value and their location in a bustling tourist destination, the warehouses have long fallen into disuse.VMG believes that cultural assets need to be used by people in order to truly shine. That's why we proposed the renovation of the red-brick buildings our goal being to offer a journey into the region's timeless history and culture enriched by the highest level of Japanese hospitality. By preserving parts of the original structures and augmenting them with modern comforts and technologies, Nipponia Hotel Hakodate Port Town brings this scenic part of Hokkaido into the future while honoring its past.

Tangible History

Exposed Red Bricks: The mortar on the exterior of the warehouses has been scraped away, and the original bricks have been exposed and restored on both the exterior and interior to more clearly reveal the history of Hakodate. At the turn of the twentieth century, red-clay bricks were found in many structures in Japan,primarily in government and public buildings. Based on German architecture,the distinctive crimson buildings quickly became a symbol of Japanese modernization, with the Hakodate warehouses standing at the very forefront of the movement.

Rooms

NIPPONIA HOTEL Hakodate Port Town offers nine guestrooms that blend the warm simplicity of Scandinavian design with the rich texture of historic red-brick warehouses. Locally sourced oak from the Daisetsuzan mountains and carefully selected Nordic furnishings create a refined, cozy space, with each room featuring its own accent color. In 2022, the hotel received the prestigious IF DESIGN AWARD for its exterior that preserves the character of the red-brick warehouses and its interiors that combine traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern comfort. All rooms feature private baths and minimalist lighting, allowing guests to relax while listening to the gentle waves of Hakodate’s harbor—a truly memorable stay where design, history, and local culture come together.

Breakfast

We offer a Western-style breakfast made with fresh, local ingredients from Hakodate. Guests can enjoy a menu focused on local produce, including salads, egg dishes, herring rillettes, and Hokkaido milk and fruits.

As part of select stay packages, guests can also join the chef on a tour of Hakodate’s fish market, selecting the freshest catches to be served at breakfast—a unique experience that brings the flavors of the region directly to your table.

Our Difference

NIPPONIA HOTEL Hakodate Port Town offers unique experiences that let guests feel the history and energy of this port city.

The All-Inclusive Plan includes unlimited Hakodate beer, wine, shochu, whisky, and soft drinks, available in both the free-drink area and your room.

At GAGO SPA, enjoy exclusive treatments designed to restore balance to body and mind. Guests can also join the chef at Hakodate’s fish market and enjoy a breakfast of freshly prepared seafood—a one-of-a-kind experience only possible at our hotel.

Welcome

Our mission is to present our guests with the gift of time. Time that flows endlessly through the nature and culture of Japan. Time set aside to make lifelong memories with your loved ones. Time that you will one day reflect back on with a smile. We strive to give you these experiences through the art of Japanese hospitality, the distinctiveness of accommodations that tell rich stories from Japan’s great past, and the breaking of language barriers by our English-speaking staff. We hope to see you soon.

Number of rooms: 9
Capacity: 1–2 guests per room
Check-in: 3:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Checkout: until noon
Languages: Japanese & English
Tel: +81 (0)120-210-289