Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Hakodate, an Exotic City

Hakodate, along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, was the first trading port in Japan. Hakodate has developed greatly by incorporating various cultures from other countries. Hakodate is home to many buildings that are a blend of Japanese and Western styles. The Motomachi area is lined with churches and Western-style buildings. There are also beautiful exotic streetscapes such as the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. Goryokaku Park and the world-class night view from Mt. Hakodate are must-see sights in Hakodate. Visitors can also enjoy walking through history by touring historical sites. Sightseeing spots within Hakodate City are conveniently accessible by streetcar.

A short distance from the center of the city is Yunokawa Onsen, an ideal base for sightseeing in Hakodate. Gourmet foods such as squid and fresh seafood are also available.

Hakodate Morning Market and Squid Fishing

Hakodate Morning Market, where freshly caught seafood is gathered, is a must-visit gourmet spot when visiting Hakodate. The Donburi Yokocho Market is lined with eateries offering fresh seafood bowls and other delicacies. The Eniki Market sells seasonal seafood. About 250 stores are lined up, so visitors can browse through a variety of stores.

Squid is a representative Hakodate gourmet delicacy. Visitors can taste raw squid freshly landed that morning from the Tsugaru Straits. The flesh is clear and has a crisp texture. Live squid fishing is popular, where you can catch your own squid and have it prepared on the spot. The squid is so fresh that it is shocking to see it still moving even after it has been prepared.

Magnificent Mt. Komagatake and the Onuma Quasi-National Park stretching across its foot

Located in Nanae-cho, Onuma Quasi-National Park is the birthplace of Hokkaido's resorts. It is a spot rich in nature and only about a 40-minute drive from Hakodate. It consists of three lakes and 126 islets created by the volcanic activity of Mt Komagatake. There are well-maintained walking paths within the park, and visitors can tour the islets while crossing a number of bridges connecting them. Visitors can enjoy the magnificent view from the lake by taking a regular sightseeing boat or boat tour of Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma. The lakeside of Onuma is approximately 14 km in circumference. Rent a bicycle and enjoy cycling while feeling the fresh Hokkaido breeze.

Magnificent Mt. Komagatake, an active volcano that rises 1,131 meters above sea level, is the symbol of the southern Hokkaido area. There are many viewpoints within the park where Mt. Komagatake can be seen, each offering a different angle from which to view its graceful silhouette. Especially during the season of autumn leaves, the red and yellow colors add to the beauty of the scenery.

The area around Onuma is also rich in activities. There are a variety of activities not only from spring to fall but also in in winter, such as smelt fishing on ice and snow activities. No matter what time of year you visit, you will discover different attractions.

Kikonai, the first town in Hokkaido where the Hokkaido Shinkansen line stops

The Hokkaido Shinkansen connects Hokkaido and Tokyo in about four hours. The first stop in Hokkaido is Kikonai Station, which is located at the end of the Seikan Tunnel under the sea from Honshu. An observatory for viewing the Shinkansen has been installed in the town, attracting attention as a spot where visitors can look down on the junction of the Shinkansen and regular railway lines.

At the roadside station "Misogi-no-Sato Kikonai" located in front of the station, visitors can enjoy shopping and gourmet food. It also has a tourist information center. There is also a rental car counter, so it can be used as a starting point for sightseeing in Hokkaido.

To start sightseeing by train, use the South Hokkaido Railway. When heading toward Hakodate, Kikonai is the starting and ending station on this railway line. It takes approximately one hour to reach Goryokaku Station, the last stop on the line. Visitors can enjoy a slow local train ride along the scenic Hakodate Bay.

You can also stop along the way to visit sightseeing spots along the line. Get off at Oshima-Tobetsu Station and you will find the Tobetsu Trappist Monastery. It was the first men's monastery in Japan. It is famous as a photo spot because of the beautiful harmony of the walking path surrounded by trees and the brick buildings seen beyond.

The distance from Kikonai to Goryokaku is about 40 km. Enjoy the train trip at your leisure.

Matsumae and Esashi, retaining vestiges of the old days when they flourished through Kitamaebune trade 

Matsumae-cho is located at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido. It is known for its cherry blossoms. Esashi-cho is located about 60 km north of Matsumae-cho. The Japan Sea coastline connecting these towns prospered as a trading center for Kitamaebune ships. The coastline, with its strange rock formations and spectacular views, is a popular driving route known as the "Oiwake Soran Line."

Matsumae-cho is the only castle town in Hokkaido. There are many historical spots to enjoy such as Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Clan Mansion, a theme park that recreates Matsumae as it was in the Edo period. Matsumae has a specialty called "hanshu-ryori" (feudal lord cuisine). You can have a meal filled with the local flavor and history of Matsumae at long-established Japanese inns in the town. Also, pickles called "Matsumae-zuke" are ideal as souvenirs.

Esashi-cho is a town that prospered from herring fishing. The town has inherited many historical assets such as old buildings, historical sites, and historic ruins. The old streets have been maintained as the Inishie Kaido Street. Visitors can enjoy strolling along the streets while searching for the history of the area. The Kaiyomaru Museum recreates an old warship. The oldest shrine in Hokkaido, Ubagamidaijingu Shrine, exhibits many historical materials of Esashi. The shrine also hosts Hokkaido's oldest festival. The Yokoyama Family, an old family that prospered through herring fishing, is a must-see attraction. Be sure to try herring soba, a specialty dish made from dried herring.

Okushiri Island, where you can enjoy the charm of nature

Okushiri Island is located in the Sea of Japan in southwestern Hokkaido. The island offers unspoiled nature and abundant seafood. It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes by ferry from Esashi Port on the opposite shore. Alternatively, it is a 30-minute flight from Hakodate Airport. It is the fifth largest island in Hokkaido, with a circumference of about 84 km. Transportation is available by local bus, hired car, rented car, or rented bicycle.

The clear blue ocean is about 25 meters deep. Its color is called "Okushiri blue" because of its beauty. In summer, you can experience its beauty through marine sports such as SUP and kayaking.

The island is dotted with reefs and strange stones formed by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. The island's symbol, Nabetsuru-iwa Rock, gets its name from the fact that it looks like the handle of a pot. Driving along the coastline, one can see such strange rocks here and there.

Okushiri's gourmet food includes seafood such as sea urchin and abalone, and mountain delicacies such as the Siberian onion and asparagus. There is also a wide variety of Okushiri wagyu beef and Okushiri wine brewed from 100% island grapes. The island's local dish is "sanpeijiru." It is a local soup made mainly of salted fish, stewed together with root vegetables. The broth of the fish and the flavor of the vegetables give it a gentle and simple taste.

■ Click here for a list of spots in the areas around Hakodate and Hakodate.

■ Click here for a list of spots in Matsumae, Easahi, and Okujiri.

■ Click here for "Central Hokkaido Area Guide”

■ Click here for "Northern Hokkaido Area Guide"

■ Click here for "Eastern Hokkaido Area Guide"