Things To Do In Hakodate

Hakodate, famous for its night view, is at the tip of the slightly protruding part of the city. The mountain side of Mt. Hakodate is the Motomachi area where churches and monasteries are concentrated.

If you continue along the coastline, you will reach the bay area with its red brick warehouses. The bay area is followed by the JR Hakodate Station along the coastline.

Hakodate’s major tourist attractions are within a 15-20 minute walking distance.

Hakodate is quite far from major tourist destinations such as Sapporo and Otaru, but within Hakodate city limits, the major tourist attractions are compact and easy to visit without a rental car, making Hakodate a great destination for a short trip.

Here’s Japantra’s ultimate guide on the best things to do in Hakodate Japan.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Located in the bay area, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a must-see sightseeing spot when visiting Hakodate. The brick warehouses facing Hakodate Bay were built in the Meiji period.

The buildings, which have a calm and warm atmosphere, remind us of Hakodate’s history as a port town that has developed over time.

The view of the warehouses and the sea is a great photo spot and inside the warehouses are about 50 cafes, restaurants, local confectionery stores, and souvenir stores, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the area.

While enjoying shopping and dining, visitors can also feel the history of Hakodate etched in the buildings.

Mount Hakodate

Mount Hakodate is a 334-meter-high mountain range located at the western edge of downtown Hakodate. 13 mountains in total, it is also known as Gagyuzan.

Hakodate was originally an island, formed by connecting sandbars.

Hakodate has long been famous for its panoramic view of Hakodate and is listed as one of the world’s top three night views, along with Hong Kong in China and Naples in Italy.

2011’s “Michelin Green Guide Japon” featured the “View from Mount Hakodate” as a three-star destination. It is probably best known for its worldwide acclaim.

Mount Hakodate is also widely recognized as one of the three best nightscapes in Hokkaido, along with Mount Tengu and Mount Moiwa. The night view is especially famous.

Mount Hakodate Ropeway

The Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, which connects the foot station and the summit station in 3 minutes offers an outstanding view through its large glass windows.

As you ascend, you can enjoy the townscape and churches at the foot of the mountain, the Tsugaru Straits, and Hakodate Harbor from different angles.

The view from the top of the mountain is different from the view from the ropeway so it’s worthwhile experiencing both.

Goryokaku Park

This star-shaped Goryokaku Fort was the scene of the Hakodate War, the last battle in the Boshin War.

It was the first Western-style castle in Japan and is designated as a national special historic site. From December, the moat is illuminated and visitors can enjoy a fantastic view from Goryokaku Tower at the entrance.

Around late April, the Someiyoshino cherry trees in the park are in full bloom, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for many visitors.

Goryokaku Tower

If you are planning to visit Goryokaku, first visit Goryokaku Tower, which stands within the park. The current tower was built in 2006 and stands 107 meters high.

On a clear day, it offers a spectacular view of the Tsugaru Straits and the Shimokita Peninsula.

Especially recommended is the season from late April to early May, when someiyoshino cherry trees along the castle walls are in full bloom.

The observatory also has an extensive space introducing the history before and after the “Hakodate War,” and is a must-see for fans of Hijikata Toshizo.

Goryokaku Tower has a souvenir store and café on the first floor, suitable for a break during a stroll in Hakodate, and visitors can enjoy an hour or two inside the building.

Hakodate Old  Magistrate Office

The Hakodate Magistrate’s Office was faithfully reconstructed in the exact same location over a period of four years based on drawings, photographs and documents from the time.

The interior is divided into four zones, where visitors can see the building as it was at the end of the Edo period, the history from the birth of the magistrate’s office to the Hakodate War, and the skills of the palace carpenters and the project process involved in the restoration.

Hakodate Morning Market

Located near JR Hakodate Train Station, Hakodate Morning Market is a popular morning market with fresh fish stores, fruit and vegetable stores, and eateries.

The market is made up of approximately 250 stores.

When one thinks of the Hakodate morning market, the image that comes to mind is a squid fishing experience in a tank full of live squid.

After the squid is caught, it is cooked on the spot, making the experience of eating fresh squid very popular.

The price is around 1,000 to 1,500 yen per squid. The “Original Squid Fishing Pond” is located at the “Ekini Market” and is a lively place where children and adults alike enjoy fishing.

Another way to enjoy the morning market is to find your favorite restaurant at “Donburi Yokocho Market” where you can enjoy fresh seafood bowls and have a delicious seafood bowl for lunch at a reasonable price.

Daimon Yokocho

Daimon Yokocho is an area where a former brothel has been redeveloped into an awesome dining area. 27 restaurants line the street, adding a lively atmosphere to Hakodate’s nightlife.

The area is a popular place to enjoy Hokkaido’s gourmet food and the warm glow of the nostalgic lanterns makes it easy to get lost in the atmosphere, and the food stall village has become a new landmark in Hakodate.

Hachimanzaka Slope

Hachimanzaka is one of Hakodate’s most popular scenic spots along with Mt. Hachimanzaka” used to be curved, but now it is a beautiful slope straight down to the sea.

When you look back after climbing the hill, you will be rewarded with the best view ever! The hill has been used in many commercials and movies.

In winter, the street is decorated with illuminations, creating a fantastic atmosphere. You can also enjoy the scenery that changes its expression depending on the season you visit. I would like to visit here after taking a walk.

Hachimanzaka is the location of a commercial that was once aired in which an elderly couple skips down the slope while holding hands. This is why it is sometimes called “Charmy Green’s Slope. It might be interesting to take a picture of skipping hand in hand with friends, lovers, couples, or families here.

Russian Orthodox Church

Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church is Japan’s first Russian Orthodox cathedral and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

The impressive sound of its bells has been selected as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan”. The sound of the bell is also featured in the lyrics of a music group from Hakodate, and the church is well known and loved by people.

On weekends, visitors can hear the beautiful melody of the bell echoing throughout the Hakodate area.

The white walls and green roof give the church an atmospheric appearance, and it is beautifully illuminated at night. It is a representative historical building of Hakodate that attracts many people with its solemn appearance and the sound of its bells.

Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall

Built in 1908, this wooden Western-style building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

Located on a hill overlooking Hakodate Harbor at the top of Hachimanzaka Hill, the interior of the building is open for tours, conveying the glamorous atmosphere of the past.

The symmetrical colonial-style exterior is a symbol of Hakodate and you can also enjoy taking pictures in dresses and tails at the Hakodate High-Color Costume Hall.

Trappistine Monastery

The first convent for women in Japan was founded by eight nuns who came to Japan from the Trappistine Convent in France.

The nuns follow strict precepts and live a communal life, are separated from the secular world, and devote their lives to God through prayer, reading, farm work, and other labor.

The grounds are filled with a dignified atmosphere that is truly refreshing.

Popular tourist souvenirs include French cake Madalena, Trappist cookies, and butter candy.

Motomachi Catholic Church

Built in 1924, this church features a weathercock on the roof and with its impressive large bell tower, the church has become a symbol of the Motomachi area and Hakodate.

Former British Consulate in Hakodate

This Japanese and Western-style building with blue wooden frames and plaster walls was designed by the Shanghai Construction Bureau of the British government and was completed in 1913.

The Western-style structure harmonizes nicely with the Japanese-style tile roof.

Consulate operations continued until 1934 and now the museum introduces the history of the opening of the port of Hakodate through easy-to-understand, hands-on exhibits based on two themes: the “Port Opening Memorial Hall” and the “Former British Consulate” building.

There is also a tea room in the museum. The tour takes 30 minutes.

Hakodate Park

Hakodate Park is a comprehensive park created by citizen input. Hakodate Park Children’s Land, a mini amusement park that opened in 1956, and animal facilities are located within the park and are popular among families.

The Ferris wheel in Kodomo no Kuni is particularly famous as the oldest existing Ferris wheel in Japan.

Lucky Pierrot

A local hamburger restaurant born in Hakodate has 17 outlets mainly in the city, but none of them are the same.

The most popular item on the menu is the “Chinese Chicken Burger,” a large-sized burger with fried chicken in a hearty portion, which was inspired by the owner’s mother’s cooking.

The retro “Laikipi” restaurant in the Bay Area, where the seating area swings and wooden horses are on display, gives you a sense of the good old days in America.

Onuma National Park

Mount Komagatake and the lake provide a magnificent view of this resort area. You can enjoy boating, canoeing, and sightseeing boats in summer.

It is also fun to rent bicycles and ride them around the lakeside. In winter, try your hand at wakasagi fishing in the frozen lake.

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden

This botanical garden is home to 3,000 tropical plants of about 300 species in a greenhouse. The garden is warm all year round, so visitors can spend a relaxing time even in winter.

When the timing is right, visitors are treated to harvested fruits and other treats.

The outdoor facilities are fed with hot spring water from the Yunokawa hot spring, and monkeys can be seen soaking in the hot spring in winter.

From December to May every year, you can see cute monkeys soaking in the hot spring water at the Monkey Mountain Hot Springs.

Transportation to Hakodate

Generally, Hakodate is accessible from Tokyo by air or Shinkansen bullet train, with air travel being the quickest method of travel.

The flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Hakodate Airport in Hokkaido takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, and a shuttle bus takes approximately 20 minutes from the airport to downtown Hakodate.

The airport is located near Hakodate’s Yunokawa Onsen hot springs, so if you wish to stay at one of the Yunokawa Onsen hotels, it is only a short 5-minute bus or cab ride from the airport.

Airfare varies considerably depending on the airline, time of day, and season, and ranges from 9,000 yen to 27,000 yen one way. Shuttle buses cost 450 yen for adults and 230 yen for children one way.

Hakodate Airport

A place where visitors can experience the history and culture of Hakodate, an international tourist city. The stores offer a wide variety of Hakodate souvenirs and other products unique to Hokkaido.

The restaurant with an observation deck offers a view of the Tsugaru Straits and the takeoffs and landings of passenger planes.