Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Hakodate! Explanation of famous sights, hole-in-the-wall spots, and gourmet information.｜Features｜HOKKAIDO LOVE! -Hokkaido Official Tourism Site

Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Hakodate! Explanation of famous sights, hole-in-the-wall spots, and gourmet information.

When it comes to Hakodate tourism, Goryokaku and Mount Hakodate might come to mind as the classic spots. However, to fully enjoy the charm of Hakodate, make sure to check out not only these iconic spots but also hidden gems and seasonal events! Of course, you can't miss out on the local cuisine either. Here is some information to help you create your own unique Hakodate itinerary.

Publication date : 2025.01.13

* Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.

10 recommended sightseeing spots in Hakodate

Here are 10 must-see tourist spots that you must visit when you are in Hakodate. If you are unsure of what course to take, let's start with the spots introduced here.

Mt. Hakodate: Mt. Hakodate offers a panoramic view of Hakodate's cityscape. The spectacular view created by the unique topography has been…; View more

Goryokaku Park/Hakodate Goryokaku Festival: The Goryokaku Ruins, designated as a special historic site by the national government, is Japan's Western-style fortress. It…; View more

Goryokaku Tower: The 107-meter-high tower is located in Goryokaku Park. From the second floor of the 90-meter-high observation deck, visitors can…; View more

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse: Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse is a popular spot in the bay area. The exotic atmosphere of the red brick warehouses facing the har…; View more

Hachiman-zaka Slope: The 19 slopes of the Motomachi area in Hakodate stretch all the way from the mountain to the sea and make for some incredible ph…; View more

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward: Hakodate Ward’s Old Public Hall looks over Hakodate Port and is a Nationally Important Cultural Property designed in a dis…; View more

Hakodate Orthodox Church: Built in 1860, it is the first Russian Orthodox church in Japan. This Western-style building represents the exotic streetscape o…; View more

Yunokawa Hot Spring: One of the three major hot spring villages in Hokkaido, Yunokawa Onsen is an ancient hot spring famous for curing the intractabl…; View more

Trappistine Monastery: Our Lady of the Angels Trappistine Monastery is Japan’s first women’s monastery, and was established in 1898. The bu…; View more

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden: The tropical botanical garden has about 300 species and 3,000 plants, including uniquely named trees such as the “ice crea…; View more

6 Hakodate's Holey Sightseeing Spots

For those who have already enjoyed Hakodate's regular spots to the fullest and those who want to enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace without crowds, we recommend the following 6 hole-in-the-wall spots. Let's add a few more hole-in-the-wall spots to your itinerary.

Hakodate Meijikan: In the bay area, you will find the shopping complex “Hakodate Meijikan”. The shops within feature a wide variety of …; View more

Hakodate Park: A comprehensive park built in 1879 based on citizens' opinions. It is also a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing, with ap…; View more

Old Iwafune Family's Garden (Kosetsuen)・Hakodate MOMI-G Festa: Few nations do gardens like Japan, and Kosetsuen in Miharashi Park, Hakodate, is a perfect example. This landscape-style garden …; View more

Koryuji Temple: Koryuji Temple was founded in 1633 as a branch temple of Matsumae Hogenji Temple in Kameda Village (present-day Bandai-cho) and …; View more

Citizen's Forest: Located on a hill in the Yunokawa area on the outskirts of Hakodate City, "Citizen's Forest" is a park that boasts…; View more

Hakodate Jomon Culture Center (National Treasure hollow clay figurine (chuku dogu)): Exhibiting artifacts from Japan’s prehistoric age, the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center brings the Jomon Period (14,000 &ndas…; View more

6 Gourmet Recommendations in Hakodate

While touring around the tourist spots, Hakodate's gourmet food is not to be missed. Here are 6 recommended gourmet foods that you must try when you visit Hakodate.

Hakodate Morning Market: Hakodate Asaichi is a popular spot that is only a 1-minute walk from Hakodate Station. The market traces its roots back to 1945,…; View more

Daimon Yokocho: Hakodate Daimon Yokocho is a collection of 26 bars and eateries in downtown Hakodate. Located directly in front of the Hakodate …; View more

Lucky Pierrot: Lucky Pierrot, a popular hamburger shop in Hakodate, is a local favorite. This famous shop has even won the Grand Prix for local burgers. Their Hakodate specialty burgers are made with plenty of Hokkaido ingredients, and the most popular item is the sweet and spicy Chinese Chicken Burger. Although it takes some time to prepare as they start making it after you order, you can enjoy a freshly made, piping hot burger. Each of the 17 stores in the city has a different theme, and the unique interiors are also a highlight, making them perfect for photos.; View more

Hasegawa Store: "Hasegawa Store", a local convenience store known to all Hakodate citizens, is especially famous for its signature product, the yakitori bento, which is also well-known nationwide. This bento, featuring pork skewers made from pork loin placed on top of rice, is prepared in the store's open kitchen. They don't make it in advance; instead, they grill it after receiving your order, so you can enjoy it freshly made. In the southern Hokkaido area, 'yakitori' refers to pork, so be aware of that.; View more

Hakodate Ramen: Hakodate Shio (salt) ramen is known across Japan as one of Hokkaido’s must-try ramens, along with Sapporo’s miso ram…; View more

Hakodate jiyu ichiba: Hakodate is famous for the morning market in front of the station, but this market is where professional chefs come to stock up …; View more

Seasonal Hakodate Highlights

Hakodate offers different attractions in each season. Why not try different ways to enjoy Hakodate depending on the season you visit?

Hakodate in Spring: In Hakodate, cherry blossoms are at their best from late April to early May, and cherry blossom viewing can be enjoyed. There are many places famous for cherry blossoms such as “Goryokaku Park” and “Hakodate Park,” so you will definitely be able to see beautiful cherry blossoms in combination with sightseeing! In May every year, the Hakodate Goryokaku Festival is held to convey the history of Hakodate, with a parade and ceremony related to the area, which was the last stage of the Boshin War.

Hakodate in Summer: The summer season is in full swing with the lifting of the ban on squid fishing. Enjoy Hakodate's summer delicacies. At Hakodate morning markets and other eateries, the locally caught “squid sashimi set menus” are very popular. At night, the lights of squid fishing boats called “isaribi” can be seen offshore. The Hakodate Port Festival, usually held in August, is a very lively event that includes fireworks, live street performances, and the Hakodate Port Dance Festival.

Hakodate in Autumn: Autumn in Hakodate is a time for autumn foliage. The autumn foliage at Kosetsuen, located in Miharashikoen Park, a 15-minute drive from Goryokaku Park, is particularly spectacular. In late October and early November, "Hakodate MOMI-G Festa" is held to illuminate the leaves at night, allowing visitors to enjoy the autumn colors in the faint light of the trees. You will be able to enjoy the autumn foliage in the faint light.

Hakodate in Winter: In December, visitors can enjoy "Hakodate Christmas Fantasy" in front of the Red Brick Warehouse, where a 20-meter-tall Christmas tree is decorated with about 150,000 lights. Don't miss "Hoshi no Yume Illumination," in which the star-shaped Goryokaku moat is decorated with about 2,000 lights. In early February, visitors can also enjoy "Hakodate Winter Fireworks," a large fireworks display in the winter night sky.

Do I need a car for sightseeing in Hakodate?

Hakodate's major tourist attractions are located close together, so there is no inconvenience without a car, and access by train or bus is convenient. Those who are satisfied with just visiting the major tourist spots will be able to enjoy the city without a car. For those who want to drive around or do sightseeing in Hokkaido in addition to Hakodate, we recommend renting a car.

From spring to fall, the "Hakodate Haikara-Go" Ride is also recommended!

"Hakodate Haikara-Go" a restored Hakodate tramcar that runs from April to October each year, is one of Hakodate's most popular sightseeing attractions. The retro look of the train is fun just to look at, but if you have the chance, take a ride and enjoy the atmosphere inside the train as well.

Access to Hakodate

How to get there	Access route	Travel Time
Airplane	Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) → Hakodate Airport Osaka Itami Airport → Hakodate Airport	About 80 min. About 100 min.
Train	None	―
Bus	Shuttle Bus from Hakodate Airport to Hakodate Station	About 20 min.
Car/Taxi	From Route 63 to Route 278	About 20 min.
Ferry	Shuttle bus to JR Hakodate Station	About 30 min.

Check out the classic and hidden spots and enjoy Hakodate to the fullest!

We've introduced some of Hakodate's must-see spots as well as hidden gems. Create your own original route by checking out these places. By adding seasonal events to your itinerary, you might discover a different charm of Hakodate. Once you've decided on the season to visit Hakodate, combine the tourist spots and events that match that season to enjoy your own unique Hakodate tour!

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Hokkaido Spring Travel Guide: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/travelguide_spring

Hokkaido Summer Travel Guide: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/travelguide_summer

Hokkaido travel guide for winter in Hokkaido's uniqueness.: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/travelguide_winter

Best Places to View Flowers in Hokkaido vol. 1: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/best-places-to-view-flowers-in-hokkaido-vol-1

Where & What To Eat in Hokkaido: 6 Must-Try Local Foods: https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/where-what-to-eat-in-hokkaido-must-try-local-foods