Hakodate

Hakodate, located on the southern tip of Hokkaido, is a captivating city known for its scenic beauty and rich history. It boasts one of Japan's most stunning night views from Mount Hakodate, offering panoramic vistas of the city and its surrounding waters. Hakodate is also famous for its fresh seafood, particularly at the bustling morning market (Asaichi), where visitors can sample local delicacies like uni (sea urchin) and crab. The city’s historic Motomachi district reflects its past as a key port for foreign trade, with charming Western-style buildings and churches. Goryokaku, a star-shaped fort, and its park are popular attractions, especially during cherry blossom season.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Goryokaku Fort

This massive Western-style citadel was completed in 1866 during the final years of the Edo Period for the defense of Hakodate against the imperialist threat posed by the Western powers. Though not immediately obvious at the street-level, the fort’s striking star shape can be seen from a few vantage points around the city including the Goryokaku Tower nearby. After the fort lost its military importance, it was turned into a public park and over one thousand cherry trees were planted along its moats, making it one of Hokkadio’s best cherry blossom spots. 

Hakodate Morning Market

Also called Hakodate Asaichi, this morning market (operating from 5/6am to 2pm daily) is one of the city’s most popular sites. Initially an open-air market for local residents and restaurant professionals to buy fresh fish and vegetables, now the market also caters to local and foreign visitors seeking some of Hakodate and the Hokkaido region’s freshest ingredients and famous local specialties such as the fresh seafood over rice bowl. A unique experience here is fishing for live squid from a pond which is then turned into fresh squid sashimi to eat immediately. 

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

This striking row of seven red brick warehouses lining Hakodate Port were originally built in 1909 and have since been renovated and repurposed to house approximately 50 restaurants and retail shops. 

Motomachi District

Located at the foot of Mount Hakodate, the Motomachi District is a historical area known for the western-style residences of foreign traders who came through Hakodate Bay after Japan opened its ports to foreign trade in 1853. Today many buildings still remain including the Russian Orthodox Church, the Old British Consulate, a Chinese Memorial Hall and old Hakodate Public Hall. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in Motomachi including ice cream shops hawking rich Hokkaido milk soft serve in a wide variety of flavors from vanilla to squid ink. 

Mt. Hakodate Observation Decks & Ropeway

Mount Hakodate, and the southern end of the peninsula, offers some of the best nighttime views from a mountaintop observation deck in the country. Visitors can take a ropeway to the summit which has free observation platforms, souvenir shops, a cafe and restaurant. 

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Hakodate Itineraries

Japan's Winter Wonderland: Snow & Ski in Hokkaido

Travel from snowy ski slopes to steaming hotsprings on this magical 9-day luxury journey through southern Hokkaido. You’ll spend time in one of the world’s best ski resorts, meander through Sapporo’s Christmas market, and see the region on ski, snowmobile, or perhaps even horseback, while staying at luxury hotels.

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
From $24,400
See Itinerary
Bourou Noguchi Hakodate

Bourou Noguchi Hakodate

Hakodate, Japan

Similar to its sister hotel in Noboribetsu, Bourou Noguchi, Hakodate, is a contemporary hotel, home to the highest open-air bath in Yunokawa hot springs. While enjoying a relaxing soak in the soaring bath, it’s possible to look down onto the bustling streets below, with Hakodate mountain and the Tsugaru Strait making for a stunning backdrop. Guests may choose from three different room types, all of which combine comfort and style, two of which provide a private onsen bath. Full-course meals are served in the traditional ryokan style, with a menu that changes seasonally. On-site facilities include a café, library, bar, gift shop, and billiard room. Children are not permitted to stay here, thus providing a more romantic, peaceful experience for couples. 

Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu

Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu

Hakodate, Japan

Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu is a traditional ryokan that offers a guests a room-style choice of Japanese, Japanese-Western, and Maisonette. Each of the hotel’s rooms provides a panoramic ocean view of the Tsugaru Channel. Attentive staff are assigned to each room, providing constant, personalized service and warm, traditional Japanese hospitality. Large, shared onsen baths are available for guests’ use until 1am, and open-air baths are also available many of which also provide lovely oceanscapes. Exquisite food is included for all guests, served in the traditional Japanese style. For entertainment, guests may make use of the karaoke facilities on-site, as well as the tennis courts for exercise. The hotel is located in the Yunokawa Onsen resort area, a 10-minute’s drive from Hakodate Airport.

Onuma Tsuruga Auberge EPUY

Onuma Tsuruga Auberge EPUY

Hakodate, Japan

Opened in 2016, the Onuma Tsuruga Auberge EPUY is nestled along a spacious lakeshore, next to the Onuma Quasi National Park. The hotel offers guests a tranquil nature setting amongst a vast garden covering 8 thousand square meters and housing around 20 species of trees and 30 or so herb and flower varieties. There are 30 rooms available, all configured with two double beds, 18 of these rooms feature private open-air hot spring baths. For dining, the onsite restaurant provides cuisine which exclusively features ingredients from within a 50-mile radius around Onuma, with organic vegetables and fresh seafood from Uchiura Bay. There is also a lobby bar and a lounge bar, with a railroad diorama, and bakery. Facilities include a public outdoor hot springs bath and 2 private bath facilities. This hotel is a 35-minute drive from the Hakodate Airport (HKD).

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