Read this to find out the best places to visit in Hakodate!

Read this to find out the best places to visit in Hakodate!

Hakodate is one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations. The city is rich in history and romance, and the streets are filled with an exotic atmosphere. Hakodate is a town full of beautiful Western architecture, retro buildings, and a harbor that offers many attractions. Hakodate also offers a wide variety of gourmet foods including fresh seafood! In this issue, we will introduce some recommended spots that you should definitely visit. There are also many fashionable cafes and restaurants, so take your time and enjoy a stroll.

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Stroll through Motomachi with its classical atmosphere

Motomachi is lined with cobblestone slopes and retro Western-style buildings, and visitors can enjoy strolling around while feeling the exotic atmosphere.

Former British Consulate of Hakodate


This elegant Western-style building was used as a consulate until 1934. The consul's office and family room have been recreated. There is also a panel exhibition introducing the history and culture of the opening of the port, which gives visitors a detailed look at what it was like in those days. In the memorial hall on the first floor, a "bird's-eye view" of the world map depicting Perry's route and Hakodate at the time of the opening of the port is painted all over the floor, using "Hakodate Shinkei" as a motif.

The tea room inside the building is a space where visitors can enjoy the retro atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy an elegant tea time with homemade scones and rose soft serve ice cream. After tea time, enjoy a stroll in the Western-style garden, which has a Victorian-designed "Azumaya" and a bronze fountain, and is surrounded by 45 roses of 18 varieties.

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward


Located on a hill overlooking Hakodate Harbor. The architectural design is a fusion of Japanese and Western elements in beautiful shades of blue and yellow. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

The elegant interior of the building includes a guest room and a lobby with gorgeous furniture and furnishings. The balcony offers a wonderful view of the city of Hakodate.

The Hakodate Haikara Isyoukan is located within the building. Visitors can change into Meiji-era inspired dresses, hakama, and other costumes and have their photos taken at the museum's viewpoint. Photographing in the graceful and gorgeous atmosphere of the Western-style architecture will be a wonderful memory.

Hachiman-zaka Slope


This is one of Hakodate's most popular view spots, with a beautiful slope that stretches straight down to the sea. From the top of the hill, one can see the beautiful exotic Motomachi district and the sea and harbor beyond. The name "Hachimanzaka" comes from the Hakodate Hachimangu that once stood on the hill. The beautiful slope is also a perfect photo spot, with the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru” moored and exhibited in Hakodate Bay in the foreground!

Motomachi Churches


Motomachi is a place with many historic churches. The exotic atmosphere of the streets is very attractive. The Motomachi Churches are located on Daisanzaka Slope, selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan, and Chachanobori Slope beyond it. From the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hakodate, including the churches and the harbor.

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate
It is the first Russian Orthodox cathedral founded in Japan. It is a beautiful church with pure white walls and green roof. The octagonal pyramid-roofed bell tower and six green domes with crosses on them are distinctive features of the church, which is designated as a national important cultural property. The beautiful sound of the bell tower is also famous. It is nicknamed "Gan Gan Temple" because of its unique tone.
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate
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Catholic Hakodate Motomachi Church
It is the oldest Catholic church in Japan. The large bell tower and Gothic style building are beautiful and majestic. The altar in the chancel is a precious gift from Pope Benedict XV. After sunset, you can enjoy the beautiful church illuminated by lights.
Catholic Hakodate Motomachi Church
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Hakodate St. John’s Church
This English Protestant church is located on a hill overlooking the Hakodate cityscape. It is designed so that when viewed from the sky, the roof protruding in all directions appears to be in the shape of a cross. Look for the church with its beautiful cross-shaped roof from the ropeway or the top of Mount Hakodate.
Hakodate St. John’s Church
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Hakodate Haikara-Gō

The "Hakodate  Haikara-Gō." runs the streets of Hakodate with a retro look. It was operated as a passenger car in the Taisho era (1912-1926), and later as a "Sasara" train for snow removal, but was restored as a sightseeing train in 1993. Today, the train is a popular sightseeing item that graces the streets of Hakodate.

The interior as well as the exterior has a retro atmosphere. The floors, window frames, ceilings, rattan straps, and incandescent light bulbs are all very classic. The conductor will settle your fare on board. You can also take home a ticket stub with Hakodate  Haikara-Gō. design on it as a souvenir. It is sure to be a memorable part of your Hakodate sightseeing experience!

Hakodate Haikara-Gō

Perfect for a stylish stroll in Hakodate! Bay Area and Red Brick Warehouses

The Bay Area is a classic and popular tourist spot in Hakodate. This seaside area facing Hakodate Bay offers a refreshing and stylish atmosphere. The Red Brick Warehouses are particularly popular. The retro warehouses are very photogenic! There are many stylish stores, cafes and restaurants to enjoy as a resting place.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
This is a popular spot in the Bay Area. Atmospheric red brick warehouses line the street. There are about 50 stores inside the historic buildings, where visitors can enjoy shopping and dining. The area is especially romantic when lit up at sunset. It is a perfect spot for a stroll in Hakodate both day and night.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
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Hakodate Meijikan
The retro exterior creates a classical atmosphere. This shopping mall is housed in the historic former Hakodate Post Office building. Inside the building are folk crafts, glassware, music boxes, teddy bears, and other items from Hokkaido. There is also a handmade music box workshop that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Hakodate Meijikan
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A beautiful place of silence Trapistine Monastery

The first convent for women in Japan, it stands on a hill overlooking Mount Hakodate and the Hakodate cityscape. Surrounded by the beautiful nature of Hakodate, the convent's massive brick exterior and solemn atmosphere are attractive. The interior of the convent is not open to visitors. The beautiful seasonal gardens, store, and archives are open to the public. In the archives, visitors can see many photos of the Trappistine Monastery, the history of the monastery, and a day in the life of the nuns who live under the strictest of precepts.
Madeleines and cookies made by the nuns, which can only be purchased at the Trappistine Convent store, are popular souvenirs from Hakodate!

Feel the history and romance of Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower

Visitors can enjoy the history and natural beauty of Japan in this park. Designated as a special national historic site, the Goryokaku Ruins were Japan's first Western-style fortress. The park has been developed as a park and is famous for its cherry blossoms, with approximately 1,500 cherry trees in bloom in the summer. Riding a rowboat and viewing the cherry blossoms from the moat is also very beautiful. At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated, creating a fantastic atmosphere. In addition to cherry blossoms, visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery in each season, such as various flowers, autumn leaves, and winter scenery.
Goryokaku Tower is located next to the park. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Goryokaku, the city of Hakodate, and the Tsugaru Straits. For history buffs, the Hakodate Magistrate's Office, which was a government office of the Edo Shogunate, is also located in the park. Inside, rooms from those days have been recreated, and the history of the magistrate's office and Goryokaku is introduced with materials and videos.
The Hakodate Goryokaku Festival is held every May. This event allows visitors to enjoy the history of Hakodate as it relates to Goryokaku.

The majestic Mt. Hakodate is beautiful any time of year.

Mount Hakodate is a viewpoint from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakodate's city center. The spectacular view created by the unique topography was listed as three stars in the Michelin Guidebook. The observatory at the summit of the 334-meter-high mountain is a popular spot to enjoy panoramic views and beautiful night scenery. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view that changes with the passage of time, from the daytime view of Hakodate's cityscape to the glittering nightscape and the morning glow with its fantastic gradation of colors.
The observatory can also be reached by ropeway. The ropeway takes about 3 minutes to reach the observatory, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace from the window of the car. There is also a restaurant at the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a meal while admiring the scenery.

Cape Tachimachi, Hakodate's most scenic view spot

This viewpoint is located approximately 10 minutes by car from the center of Hakodate city. From the top of the powerful cliff, you can see the entire Tsugaru Straits. The blue sea spreads out below, and on a clear day, you can even see the Shimokita Peninsula in the distance. On the cape, there is a park where the Hamanasu (Rhus succedanea), designated as the flower of Hokkaido, is planted. In summer, the bright pink flowers delight visitors. At the store, which is open only during the summer season, whelks are delicious and popular.
On the way up the hill to the cape, there is the Graves of Ishikawa Takuboku and His Family, where the poet Ishikawa Takuboku and his family are laid to rest. There is also a monument to the poet Yosano Hiroshi and his wife Akiko, and the cape is famous as a place visited by many literature fans.

Enjoy Hakodate's gourmet food! Hakodate Morning Market

Hakodate Morning Market is a popular sightseeing spot in Hakodate. It is easily accessible, about a 1-minute walk from Hakodate Station. With approximately 250 stores, the market offers fresh seafood such as sea urchin, salmon, and salmon roe, as well as farm-direct vegetables and fruits, all of which are fresh and unique to Hokkaido.

In the "Ekini Market" area, seasonal seafood and other products are sold. The "live squid fishing pond" is especially popular! Visitors can catch their own squid and have them made into sashimi on the spot, so they can enjoy the fresh taste.
"Hakodate Morning Market Square" also has a take-out store and food court, and is recommended for a light meal or a break. It is also convenient for families with children.
"Donburi Yokocho Seafood restaurant avenue" is lined with restaurants where you can enjoy seafood rice bowls and set menus. Visitors can enjoy sea urchins, scallops, and other delicacies from the sea.

The Hakodate morning market opens early in the morning, so be sure to visit!

Recommended day trip spots from Hakodate

Onuma, a lake with abundant nature that attracts people

This is a popular scenic spot with great natural beauty. It takes about 35 minutes to visit by car from Hakodate Station.
The entire surrounding area with its magnificent nature is designated as a national park.There are Onuma, Konuma and Junsai-numa swamps created by the eruption of Komagatake. There are also 126 islands of various sizes. Visitors can enjoy strolling across several bridges. Walking while viewing the majestic Mt. Komagatake, birds chirping, and flowers and grasses, visitors can enjoy nature to the fullest.
Other activities include a sightseeing boat ride where you can enjoy a walk on the water while listening to the guide's explanation, Cycling around Onuma, snowmobiling in winter, and ice fishing for wakasagi.
We hope you will enjoy the beautiful nature of Onuma.

Tobetsu Trappist Monastery with a solemn atmosphere


This is the first Catholic men's monastery founded in Japan. It is one of Hakodate's most popular tourist attractions, with its beautiful cherry blossoms and tree-lined avenues. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season amidst the serenity of the monastery.

The double-flowered cherry trees that bloom at the monastery are in full bloom from early to late May, delighting visitors. The path leading to the monastery is lined with cedar and poplar trees and paved in a brick style. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll surrounded by beautiful nature.

The monastery's special cookies and butter are famous as Hakodate souvenirs. They are made in a factory on the premises. The rich flavor is very popular. Be sure to try the soft-serve ice cream with Trappist cookies. The soft serve ice cream with butter kneaded into the raw milk is very rich. It is a product that can only be found here.

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