Hakodate's Hidden Gem: LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI - You HAVE to See This!
Hakodate's Hidden Gem: LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI - You HAVE to See This! (Seriously, Book Now!)
Okay, listen up, because I’m about to spill the beans on a place that completely wrecked my expectations in the best possible way: LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI in Hakodate, Japan. Forget your cookie-cutter hotels; this place is a freakin' experience. And frankly, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
(Disclaimer: My room-mate, Jeff, says the following review is “unprofessional”. Jeff, you’re boring. So, buckle up.)
Let’s get one thing straight: Hakodate is stunning. And LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI? It gets it and leans into the beauty HARD. It's tucked away – hence the "hidden gem" moniker - and that adds to the charm.
First Up: Accessibility & Staying Safe (Because, Let’s Be Real, That Matters Now)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, I went in with my usual "this will probably be a pain" attitude concerning accessibility, right? Because let's face it, Japan isn't always the MOST straightforward. But LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI absolutely crushed it. Now, I don't have my own chair, but I saw how clean and easy the elevators were to use. They have an elevator and a few rooms specifically geared, it seems, towards wheelchair users. They really tried. And the hotel goes above and beyond for you safety-wise.
- Wheelchair accessible: (YES!)
- Elevator: (Yes!)
- First aid kit (Check), Hand sanitizer (Check), Anti-viral cleaning products (absolutely), Daily disinfection in common areas (Yep, and you could smell the cleanliness, a refreshing change of pace.), Staff trained in safety protocol (Definitely. They took it seriously, but didn't make you feel like you were in a biohazard zone.)
- Room sanitization opt-out (That was a nice touch. They didn't force it on you, which is a win for people who are weird about it.)
- Contactless check-in/out (So smooth. No standing in line, huzzah!)
- Cashless payment service. (I paid my bill and the hotel fees in advance online).
- Hygiene certification (I didn't see it specifically, but my gut says it was there). Also, the service had everything sterilized, and even the kitchenware passed the test. Everything felt secure, and that's priceless.
Internet and Tech Stuff (Because, Sadly, We Need That Now Too)
Okay, so I had to work a bit while I was there. The internet was a serious concern. Thank God the hotel had solid, dependable internet.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Hallelujah and amen! And it actually worked.)
- Internet: (Fast and reliable. No buffering, folks! Woohoo!)
- Internet [LAN] (If you're old-school and like a wired connection, you're covered.)
- Wi-Fi in public areas (Also good. Never had any issues.)
- Business facilities: (If you must. But seriously, ditch the laptop and enjoy the view, okay?)
The Rooms: Seriously Gorgeous (And Comfy)
Right, to the main event. The rooms. Holy crap, they're gorgeous. I was given a high-floor room with a view--and let me tell you, it was worth every penny. Everything was so perfectly done, it felt unreal.
- Air conditioning (Definitely needed. Don't worry, you won't be sweating buckets.)
- Additional toilet (Luxury! Because… well, you know.)
- Alarm clock (Still works.)
- Bathrobes (YES. Luxurious lounging is a must.)
- Bathtub (Huge. Deep. Perfect for soaking after a day of exploring.)
- Blackout curtains (Essential for sleeping off jet lag and those inevitable late-night sake sessions.)
- Coffee/tea maker (My morning ritual. Loved it.)
- Complimentary tea (Also, coffee and tea in the room.)
- Daily housekeeping (Spotless. Really, really spotless.)
- Desk (For when you must work but secretly want to be on the balcony.)
- Extra long bed (Comfy.)
- Free bottled water (Always appreciated.)
- Hair dryer (Needed.)
- High floor (BEST. VIEW. EVER.)
- In-room safe box (Peace of mind.)
- In-room safe box (Worth it!)
- Internet access – wireless (Yeah, it works)
- Ironing facilities (Wrinkle-free travel; a sign of a truly civilized hotel.)
- Laptop workspace (If you must.)
- Linens (Crisp and clean.)
- Minibar (A decent selection. Tempting.)
- Non-smoking
- Private bathroom (Always a plus.)
- Reading light (Crucial.)
- Refrigerator (Perfect for those midnight snacks and beverages.)
- Satellite/cable channels (If you like watching in other languages.)
- Seating area (Great for relaxing.)
- Separate shower/bathtub (Very nice to seperate.)
- Shower (Works well.)
- Slippers (Comfortable.)
- Smoke detector (Obviously. Safety first!)
- Socket near the bed (Essential for phone charging.)
- Soundproofing (Bliss.)
- Telephone (If you can bear to use it.)
- Toiletries (Decent quality.)
- Towels (Fluffy and plentiful.)
- Umbrella (Hakodate. It rains. A lot.)
- Wake-up service (If you can't get yourself out of bed)
- Wi-Fi [free] (Yes, the best part.)
- Window that opens (Fresh air! Plus, those views.)
- Smoke alarm (A good thing.)
- Interconnecting room(s) available (Good for families.)
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking: Yum! (But, Okay, Maybe a Bit Pricey)
The food situation at LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI is a mixed bag. The hotel has restaurants, and they are GOOD. BUT it's not cheap. I'm kind of frugal, so I only ate at the hotel restaurant a couple of times. But, I was impressed.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant (Yes, and it was delicious!)
- Western cuisine in restaurant (Also excellent!)
- Breakfast [buffet] (A solid spread, but get there early before things get picked over.)
- A la carte in restaurant (Yup, and the options looked delish, I have to add.)
- Lunch in restaurant (The Lunch Menu was great.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (Standard)
- Desserts in restaurant (The desserts, OMG, I can still taste that cheesecake!)
- Breakfast service (Incredible. Room service isn't required but is accessible.)
- Bottle of water (Always a plus.)
- Poolside bar (Good spot for a cocktail and some sun, if you choose this over the spa.)
- Restaurants (Several, varying styles. Something for everyone.)
- Room service [24-hour] (Yes! Midnight snack cravings fulfilled.)
- Snack bar (Convenient for a quick bite.)
- Vegetarian restaurant (I didn't see this, but this is japan, a place known for good food, so it's probably there.)
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Day? Yes, Please!
This is where LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI really shines (and where I may or may not have spent an obscene amount of money). Seriously, the spa is… wow. I won’t lie, I'm a sucker for a good spa.
- Body scrub (Never had one. Sounded weird. Was heavenly.)
- Body wrap (Again, skeptical at first. Now, a convert.)
- Pool with view (The outdoor pool is amazing. And the view? Unbeatable.)
- Spa (The spa itself is beautiful, tranquil, and full of magic.)
- Massage (The best massage of my life. Seriously. Like a whole new level of relaxation. I'm still fantasizing about it.)
- Sauna (Perfect for sweating out all the toxins… or just the sake from the night before.)
- Steamroom (Also great for detox
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously color-coded itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt to wrangle a trip to La Jolie Motomachi in Hakodate, Japan, and share the glorious mess of it all with you. Prepare for tangents, questionable decisions, and a whole lotta love.
Hakodate, Japan: The (Almost) Perfect Mess
(Warning: May contain excessive enthusiasm and a distinct lack of geographical accuracy. Proceed with caution, or just get lost with me. It'll be more fun that way.)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Ramen Rescue
- Morning (5:00 AM, Tokyo Narita Airport, or, as I'm calling it, the Pre-Dawn Panic Zone): Landed. Alive. Jet lag is already a beast. Passport control…smooth! (Phew, crisis averted! For now.) The whole airport is a symphony of polite efficiency. They even have those little carts for your luggage. Why don't we have those everywhere?!
- Morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM, Shinkansen to Hakodate): Ah, the Shinkansen. The bullet train. Glorious, gleaming, efficient. Feeling slightly smug because I actually managed to book a ticket online before arriving. (Small victories, people. Small victories.) The scenery whizzing by is beautiful – rolling green hills and glimpses of the sea. I may have dozed for a bit, drool pending.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Hakodate Station Chaos): Hakodate Station! It's… well, it's a station. A busy station. Found a locker for my bag. Took me 20 minutes, after many failed attempts, but success! Victory! And yes, I am probably already getting a little too overly excited.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, La Jolie Motomachi Hotel, finally!): Check-in. The hotel is cute, all winding, narrow streets, and old European wooden buildings. The room is more charming than I expected. Big window to stare out of. Very promising. Already picturing myself sitting there, sipping something delicious and watching the world go by…
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Ramen Rescue Mission): Jet lag is kicking my butt. Nerves now. Stomach rumbling. Need sustenance, stat! Hit up a local ramen shop. Ordered the recommended local specialty… miso ramen with butter. Weird, but undeniably delicious! The broth was the perfect, salty hug. The pork melted in my mouth. God bless ramen. (And the nice lady running the shop who smiled at my awful attempts to speak Japanese.)
- Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Getting Lost on Purpose): Wandered through the Motomachi district, which the hotel's in, following all the streets. Got delightfully lost. Found a little park overlooking the harbor. It's like, old buildings, and the air is salty and clean, and you can see freighters. I just sat there for a while, watching the sunset, feeling… quiet. This is good. Really good. And surprisingly, the air is not freezing.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Dinner Disaster (but in a good way)): Found a "recommended" restaurant – a dimly lit place tucked down a side street. The menu was ALL Japanese, and my Japanese is… well, let's just say it's "enthusiastic" at best. Pointed at a picture and hoped for the best. Ended up with something involving raw fish, seaweed, and what I think was pickled ginger. (Taste: Oddly, delicious. I'm a convert? Maybe?) The waiter was very patient with me, bless his heart.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards, Bedtime, or at least, the Attempt Thereof): Back to the hotel, exhausted but happy. Currently debating whether to attempt a shower or just collapse on the bed. Jury is still out. I'm officially calling it a day. Goodnight world, or at least, Hakodate.
Day 2: The Morning Market, Mount Hakodate, and My (Mis)Adventures
- Morning (6:00 AM, Hakodate Morning Market of Awesomeness): Woke up at the crack of dawn. Or, rather, attempted to. The sleep did not come easily, but the pull of the morning market was powerful. Fish, fish, everywhere! And the noise! Hawkers yelling out prices, people bartering, and the smell of fresh seafood… it's sensory overload, but in the BEST way.
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM, Squid Fishing!): Okay, so I actually tried to catch a live squid. You hold this little hook-thingy, and then you… well, they don't tell you the rest. It was hilarious. Mostly because I am terrible at it. Got sprayed with water. (squid juice? Is that a thing?) Did not catch a squid. Not even close. But it was fun! And I got to eat some perfectly fresh, raw squid afterwards. (Also, pretty sure the guy running the stall was laughing at me. And now I'm laughing too, because it was so utterly pathetic.)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, Breakfast Bonanza): Breakfast at the Morning Market meant a bowl of kaisen-don – rice topped with a glorious assortment of fresh seafood. Sea urchin, salmon roe, shrimp, scallops, the works! It was a masterpiece. I ate it standing up, elbow-to-elbow with everyone else, feeling completely and utterly content.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Mount Hakodate, or the Land of Epic Views): The gondola ride up was… well, let's just say my fear of heights made a reappearance. But then, the view from the top. Oh, the view! Sweeping panorama of the city nestled between two bays. It's postcard perfect. Truly breathtaking. The wind was whipping, and I was freezing, but I stayed. The view was worth every shiver. Definitely a "pinch me" moment!
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Lunch and the Failed Attempt to Speak Japanese): Found a charming cafe in the Motomachi area. Tried to order lunch in Japanese. Utter disaster. Mixed up my words. Said something completely inappropriate. The waitress just blinked. (I swear, if I was in a movie, this is where a montage would happen.) Eventually, I succeeded in ordering some curry rice. It was delicious. And I learned a valuable lesson: stick to pointing at the menu.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Museums! And More Getting Lost): Explored some of the historic buildings, wandering museums. The architecture is fascinating! The information… well, let's just say my attention span is limited. Got sidetracked by a cute little shop selling handmade paper. And then, naturally, got slightly lost again. The winding, narrow streets of Hakodate are practically designed for wandering. The whole city feels like an art installation.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Onsen Dreams (Delayed)): Planned to go to an onsen (hot spring), but I kind of forgot my travel towel. My fault. So, I'll buy one tomorrow, and plan to go twice as long.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards, Dinner, Drinks, and Possibly More Ramen): Found a cozy little izakaya (pub) and enjoyed some local sake. Maybe a bit too much. The food was great. The company was hilarious. The conversation was… well, let's just say it was a mix of broken English, frantic hand gestures, and a whole lot of laughter. Definitely ended the night with ramen. It’s a Hakodate tradition, probably. I’m okay with that.
Day 3: Goodbye, Hakodate (For Now!)
- Morning (8:00 AM, Last Ramen.)
- Morning (9:00 AM, Check Out): Said goodbye, and then said, "Arigato!"
- Morning (10:00 AM, Shinkansen): On the way back. Feeling a strange mix of sadness and relief. Sad to leave this charming town, but also looking forward to my next adventure, wherever it takes me.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM, Tokyo)
Lessons Learned:
- Pack a travel towel.
- Don't be afraid to get lost. It's the best way to find something amazing.
- Ramen is good. Eat all the ramen.
- Embrace the mess. It's where the magic happens.
- I need to learn more Japanese.
Final Thoughts:
Hakodate, you were a dream. A messy, wonderful, slightly chaotic
Escape to Italy's Hidden Gem: Hotel Garni Le Corti Awaits!
Hakodate's Secret Treat: LA JOLIE MOTOMACHI - You HAVE to See This! (Seriously, You Do!)
Okay, so you're thinking about Hakodate? Smart move. It’s gorgeous. But you *must*. Absolutely *must* carve out time for La Jolie Motomachi. Don't even question me. I'm telling you. Seriously.
What *is* La Jolie Motomachi, anyway? Sounds fancy. Is it actually worth the hype?
Okay, so "La Jolie Motomachi" isn't some stuffy museum (though, honestly, it felt a little like one when I first wandered in, bewildered). It's a collection of historic buildings, mostly Western-style houses, churches, and a few shops… that's the *basic* gist. But it's so much more. Think of it as a feeling, a vibe. It's like stepping into a postcard that’s somehow *real*.
Is it worth the hype? Ugh, yes. YES! Listen, I’m not usually one for “Instagrammable” spots (roll eyes), but Motomachi actually *delivered*. And I'm not even a photography person, but I took, like, a hundred pictures. It's just… beautiful. The way the light hits the buildings, the cobbled streets… sigh. It's romantic, it's charming, it's… well, *jolie*! (Which, you know, means "pretty" in French... because, Hakodate.) Don't go expecting some thrilling rush ride or some fancy event, it's just a space to *be*... it’s the slow, deliberate soak in something that’s the real benefit.
Okay, Okay, you've sold me. What's the *best* way to experience it? I don't want to waste my precious vacation time!
Alright, here’s the thing. There are no *bad* ways to experience La Jolie Motomachi. But here's my recommendation. Walk. Just... walk. Don't rush. Don't try to "cover" everything in an hour. Wander off the main streets, find the little side alleys. That’s where the magic is. I literally just stumbled into a tiny, hidden bakery (more on this later… it's important), and it was the highlight of my trip.
Also, go in the late afternoon, just before sunset. The light gets this golden, glowy quality. *Chef's kiss*. Bring your camera (or your phone, like me). And, most importantly… take your time. Seriously. Just... be there.
Pro-tip: Wear comfy shoes. Those hills are no joke! My feet were *screaming* by the end of the day.
Tell me more about this "tiny, hidden bakery." You're teasing me!
Okay, okay, fine! So, I’m wandering around, right? Lost (as usual). The cobblestones were beautiful, but my map was useless. I was starting to get hangry (a dangerous state). And then, *BAM!* An irresistible scent. Freshly baked bread, cinnamon, and… something else, something that completely captured me.
I followed my nose (which, let's be honest, is generally my best sense) and found this tiny, almost invisible bakery, tucked away on a side street. It didn't have a fancy sign or anything. Just a little wooden door and the most delicious bread I’ve *ever* smelled wafting out. I went inside, and it felt like stepping into a fairy tale. The baker was this sweet, elderly woman who barely spoke any English. I got some kind of fruit tart and a loaf of bread. The tart? Oh, the tart. The crust was perfect. The fruit was so fresh... it's literally one of the best things I've ever eaten. And I've eaten a lot of things.
I'm not even sure I remember the name of the bakery, which is a tragedy. I just remember the feeling. The warmth. The deliciousness. The pure, unadulterated joy of that moment. That's what La Jolie Motomachi *really* gave me. More than just pretty buildings. A moment. A memory. A really, really good tart.
What's a must-see building/attraction within La Jolie Motomachi?
Okay, picking one is tough, because they're all SO charming. But one that really stood out to me was the *Old British Consulate*. It's not the flashiest, it’s actually sort of a quiet, elegant affair. But the historical context is fascinating. Plus, you get a great view of the harbor from up there. It's a good place to step back and soak in the atmosphere.
I also really enjoyed the *Russian Orthodox Church*. The architecture is just… wow. It's a stunning building. And the feeling inside... it was serene. A real calming presence. It's definitely worth a peek.
Are there any downsides? Be real with me.
Alright, let's be honest. It can get crowded. Especially during peak season. Be prepared to share the space. And like I said, those hills are a workout! Also, some of the shops are geared towards tourists, so the prices can be a little… inflated. But mostly, it’s just a delight.
The biggest downside, for me, was that I wish I’d spent more time there. Or that I’d found that bakery *earlier* in my trip. Seriously… the tart!
Anything else I should know? Any secret tips to make this experience even better?
Yes! Okay, the *real* secret tip is… embrace getting lost. Seriously. Don't stick to the main paths. Wander. Explore. Get off the beaten track. That’s where you’ll find the *real* gems. Other than my amazing tart, I stumbled upon a tiny antique shop with the most beautiful ceramics. I may or may not have bought a tea set I have no practical use for. (I do.)
Also, try to learn at least a few basic Japanese phrases. The locals are incredibly friendly, and a little effort goes a long way. A simple "Kon'nichiwa" (hello) or "Arigato" (thank you) will make a big difference.
Most importantly? Go with an open mind and a sense of adventure. Don't just *see* La Jolie Motomachi. *Feel* it. Soak it up. You’ll thank me later. And bring me a tart.
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