Hakodate

The view from Mt. Hakodate is simply magnificent; so much so that it received the highest accolade – 3 stars – from global travel guide book Michelin Green Guide Japan.

The combination of a sea on both sides of Hakodate – producing a beautiful contrast from the dark sea and the bright lights of the city – and the 334 meters high mountain’s perfect proximity to the city, paint a lovely, romantic night view.

10〜20 min. After sunset is when the scenery is most beautiful, but you can stay and enjoy it until around 10pm.

In order to get yourself a great view go to the peak 30 min.〜1 hour before sunset.

Keep in mind before and after sunset the ropeway to Mt. Hakodate will be very crowded, worse on weekends and on holidays.

If you get caught in a long line it could take up to an hour, or you can’t arrive at the peak at the best time.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to take a taxi to the peak and use the ropeway when descending.

※Taxi fare from Motomachi area will cost around ¥1,300 and ¥2,000 from Hakodate Station.

If traveling with 2 or more people it’s even cheaper than using the street car + ropeway deal.

At the summit station of the ropeway there is a restaurant called “Genova” on the 2nd floor and a lounge (Legato) on the 3rd floor.

You can have dinner while taking in the evening view, or drink some tea and relax.

Restaurant Genova ( at the Summit station of the ropeway)

At the summit station of the ropeway there is a restaurant called “Genova” on the 2nd floor and a lounge (Legato) on the 3rd floor. You can have dinner while taking in the evening view, or drink some tea and relax. If you make a dinner reservation at Restaurant Genova, with 2 or more people, […]

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Tea Lounge Legato (at the Summit station of the ropeway)

At the summit station of the ropeway there is a restaurant called “Genova” on the 2nd floor and a lounge (Legato) on the 3rd floor. You can have dinner while taking in the evening view, or drink some tea and relax. If you make a dinner reservation at Restaurant Genova, with 2 or more people, […]

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Sunset Hours

Jan.	16:30
Feb.	17:10
Mar.	17:45
Apr.	18:20
May	18:50
Jun.	19:15
Jul.	19:10
Aug.	18:40
Sep.	17:50
Oct.	16:55
Nov.	16:20
Dec.	16:10

Motomachi & Bay Area

This area has many historical western-style buildings.

Though the scenic streets are popular with Japanese and Asians, it’s likely not to be a point of interest for those of you from western countries, so go ahead and skip it.

The town lights up from sunset to 10pm, setting a great evening mood.

Also, you can observe the distant sea from the hills of Motomachi and the bay area; the view and atmosphere are both nice.

If you get tired after some walking around, have some tea and Japanese sweets in one of the retro old house cafes.

The best way to get around here is by street car and walking.

Warehouses（Commercial facilities）

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

A throng of red brick warehouse buildings made over 100 years ago face the bay.  Now, they exist as commercial complexes. Inside you will find around 40 shops, sweets vendors, and restaurants.

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Each of the buildings are 1〜2 min. apart from each other, an easy walk.

If you buy the combination ticket for the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and Old British Consulate of Hakodate (Adult: ¥500; Child: ¥250), then it’s a bit cheaper than buying it separately.

Former Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

A colonial style building built in 1910 as a public hall. The 1st floor isn’t all that impressive. The 2nd floor, on the other hand, has a massive hall that is worth seeing. From the balcony of the 2nd floor, visitors can see a beautiful view of Hakodate Bay.

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Former British Consulate of Hakodate

Established as the British Consulate of Hakodate from 1859 to 1934. Today, the rooms of the consulate serve as exhibits re-creating what it was like during operation, as well as the history of Hakodate Port. A charming tea room can be found in the former consulate too.

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Motomachi Park

A park – full of verdant greenery stylistically similar to a garden – which also offers an unobstructed view of Hakodate harbor. The building that stands on the site is the former Hokkaido Prefectural Office, built over 100 years ago.

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Churches

The different sects of churches are all within 2 min. of each other peacefully coexisting.

Hakodate Orthodox Church

Built in 1860, the Hakodate Orthodox Church was the first Russian Orthodox Church in Japan. Its white walls and green roof contrast beautifully. It’s also famous for its booming bell chime before service.

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Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

This Catholic Church was built in 1859, but after a fire it was rebuilt – to what you see today – in 1924 as a gothic church. The gorgeous altar in the cathedral was a gift from the Pope himself.

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Hakodate St. John’s Church

An Anglican Church built in 1874. The church had burned down several times due to fire; the current church you see now was built in 1979. What’s interesting is from wherever you look you see a cross.

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 Hills

There are a lot of hills in Hakodate; a few of them provide wonderful views of Hakodate Bay.

Among them, however, Hachiman-zaka is the best.

Hachiman-zaka

The picturesque scene of the tree lined hill stretching out to the sea is often used in movies and commercials. A major newspaper even ranked it the No.1 hill in Japan.

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Traditional Japanese house Cafe

In the Motomachi area, many 100  year old Japanese-western style buildings have been renovated into retro atmospheric cafes.

While walking around it might not be a badi idea to  stop by one of them and take your time enjoying sweets and tea or coffee.

Sabo Kikuizumi (Japanese Cafe)

Originally built as a villa 100 years ago for a  sake wholesaler. The exterior and interior both have a nice retro ambience. Sit on tatami mats in their Japanese room, or be entertained by the view of the sea sitting on western seats. Various kinds of sweets, tea, and coffee and even a food menu […]

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Goryōkaku Area

As a tourist the following are what you absolutely must see: Goryōkaku Park, Goryōkaku Tower, and the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office.

That’s about it. Having said that, this part of Hakodate is a busy quarter, populated with hotels, shops, and restaurants that are open late (but not that lively).

Goryōkaku Park

If you look at Fort Goryokaku from right above, you’ll see it is shaped like a pentagram. It is the first western style castle and where the last samurais fought the new government army 150 years ago. Today it exists as a park. It’s open from 5am and entrance is free (too generous)! When spring […]

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Goryōkaku Tower

Standing 107 meters tall, the tower is located inside Goryōkaku Park near the entrance. The view of Goryōkaku from the observation deck is fabulous. You must climb up. You can also see the city of Hakodate, the sea, and mountains.

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Hakodate Magistrate’s Office

Located within Goryōkaku Park, the former Magistrate’s Office was restored completely in 2010. Recommended to those who are interested in history and Japanese architecture

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Hakodate Station Area

If you’re more concerned about food and eating, Hakodate Station area is where you want to be. The morning market in particular is what Hakodate is famous for; a must visit for you travelers. Also, reserving a hotel in this area would be convenient as it serves as the base station for street cars, buses, and JR lines.

Hakodate Asaichi (Morning Market)

As the largest seafood market in Hokkaido, vegetables, fruits, sweets and dried seafood are also sold in the 250 store market. In other words, it’s the “wonderland of food” that has every imaginable Hokkaido food. Its liveliness is contagious and fun to walk around. Sure you can try a bite from various stores selling squid […]

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Daimon Yokocho Hakodate Hikari no Yatai (Food Stall)

A food stall village in Daimon district located in front of Hakodate Station. Bar eateries, yakitori, Japanese mutton, ramen, and several other kinds of restaurants – 26 in all – congregate. Most open from night, but there are a few open for lunch.

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 Yunokawa Onsen (Hot Spring) Area

Yunokawa Onsen data

Yunokawa hot spring’s long history dates back to 1653 when it was first founded. Today, over 1.8 million visitors stop by yearly listing it as one of Hokkaido’s top 3 hot springs by popularity.

Not to mention the hot spring is the closest hot spring to an airport in all of Japan, and easily accessible from Hakodate Station via a 30 min. street car ride.

A few of the hot springs offer a view of the sea while bathing. And during the months of June to December you get a delightful treat. Squid fishing boats use fishing lights at sea that make the ocean night sparkle from the shore.

 Address: Yunokawachō, Hakodate-shi, Hokkdaido

Access：

①From Hakodate Station ride the streetcar for Yunokawa  and alight at Yunokawa Onsen . Approx. travel time: 30 min.

②From Hakodate Airport ride the shuttle bus, alight at Yunokawa Onsen . Approx. travel time: 5 min.

TEL：0138-57-8988

URL：http://hakodate-yunokawa.jp/lan/en.html

Yumoto Takubokutei

On the 11th floor is the the large bath “Unkai” , boasting a spectacular night view of Hakodate City through the 30 meter glass window. The open air bath “Isaribi” has a sense of space and quite nice too.

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Yumoto Isaribikan

This place has a large cypress bath and an open air rock bath with a nice ocean view. Enjoy it at the low cost of ¥500.

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Yunohana Hotel

A total of 5 baths including cedar and rock bath are located on the 1st floor; the open air bath is on the 2nd floor. Both are right next to the sea boasting great views.

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