From Kikonai Station, I took the Isaribi Railway to Oshima-Tobetsu Station. I rented a bicycle from the rental shop in front of the station and headed to my next destination, enjoying the pleasant Southern Hokkaido breeze!

As I pedaled my bike, the "Trappist Monastery" came into view at the end of a beautiful tree-lined road. The Trappist Monastery is a men's monastery, which is rare in Japan. The solemn atmosphere is palpable even from the building's exterior.

The Trappist Monastery is famous for its popular souvenirs, Trappist butter and Trappist cookies. And the rich, buttery soft serve is a flavor you can only taste here! ...Wait, didn't I just have soft serve? Well, soft serve is an essential part of any Hokkaido trip.

Trappist Monastery

■ Location: 392 Mitsuishi, Hokuto
See details for "Trappist Monastery" on Domingo

I returned the rental bike at Oshima-Tobetsu Station and hopped back on the Isaribi Railway to JR Hakodate Station. The 600 JPY fare from Oshima-Tobetsu to Goryokaku was covered by the Isaribi One-Day Pass, and just like the outbound trip, the 250 JPY fare from Goryokaku to Hakodate was paid separately. By the time I arrived in Hakodate, it was well past 4:00 PM.

While strolling around the station area, I found a Hasegawa Store! Hasegawa Store is a convenience store chain founded in Hakodate. It's famous for its "Yakitori Bento," which is grilled fresh in-store after you order. The funny thing is, even though it's called "yakitori" (grilled chicken), it's actually made with pork. So, it's a bit early, but dinner is decided!

Once the sun set, it was time for Mt. Hakodate. Taking the ropeway is a great option, but since I have the Isaribi One-Day Pass, I decided to use it to take the Hakodate Bus (Mt. Hakodate Climbing Bus). And what awaited me at the top was...

A Hakodate night means the "million-dollar night view" from Mt. Hakodate! Also known as one of the world's top three night views, the brilliance of Hakodate's cityscape is truly convincing when you see it in person. Gazing at it in awe, it's easy to lose track of time.

Mt. Hakodate Observatory

■ Location: Mt. Hakodate, Hakodate
See details for "Mt. Hakodate Observatory" on Domingo

Tonight, I'm staying in Hakodate city. I took the bus back to Hakodate Station, and that concludes the first day of the trip!

The second day starts at the Hakodate Morning Market! The market is just a one-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station.

Listening to the lively calls of the vendors, I was captivated by the fresh seafood and even tried my hand at squid fishing... For breakfast, of course, it had to be a seafood rice bowl (kaisen-don)! What a gorgeous breakfast! With a full stomach, I'm ready for the day.

From here, I'll use the City Tram One-Day Pass I bought yesterday and head to Goryokaku Park on the Hakodate City Tram!

Goryokaku Park is famous for its star-shaped pentagonal fort. It's a must-see for history buffs, and recently, more people have been visiting due to the influence of the manga and anime "Golden Kamuy." In spring, the park is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot, with about 1,540 cherry trees in full bloom.

And here is the 108-meter-tall Goryokaku Tower, located within Goryokaku Park. While the view from the observatory is fantastic, the tower itself, when looked up at from below, is also strikingly beautiful and elegant. Its dazzling white color stands out against the blue sky. After a leisurely stroll through the park, it was suddenly lunchtime. Time to move on.

Goryokaku Park

■ Location: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
■ Park Hours: April-Oct 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM / Nov-Mar 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM
See details for "Goryokaku Park" on Domingo

Again, I used the City Tram One-Day Pass to get from Goryokaku Koen-mae to Jujigai. I'm starting to get hungry...

So for lunch, it's Lucky Pierrot, the place to go in Hakodate! Lucky Pierrot is a local fast-food chain in Hakodate. Their most popular item, the "Chinese Chicken Burger," has a unique taste unlike any other fast-food burger. The fact that you can only eat it in Hakodate makes it all the more exciting!

In the afternoon, I'll walk around the bay area to see the scenery typical of Hakodate, a city that flourished as a port town.

When people think of Hakodate, many imagine the brick warehouses along with the night view. Located in the bay area, this is the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. It's the perfect place for souvenir shopping and enjoying Hakodate's unique cuisine. Just walking around this area is pleasant, and it's a spot that makes you want to take lots of pictures.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

■ Location: 13-9 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
■ Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
See details for "Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse" on Domingo

I took the Hakodate City Tram from Jujigai to Suehiro-cho. Hakodate is a place with so many slopes that it's sometimes called the "City of Slopes." There are 19 of them in total! Each one is unique and lovely, but Hachiman-zaka, which was once a filming location for a TV commercial, is particularly famous. Looking back from the top of the slope, you can see the road stretching straight down to Hakodate Bay. It's such a refreshing sight.

And in this area, there are several shops selling soft serve within a 5-minute walk. It's fun to conquer the slopes while comparing different soft serves. After all, soft serve is an essential part of a Hokkaido trip...!

On the afternoon of the second day, I fully enjoyed the iconic scenery of Hakodate, from Goryokaku Tower to the bay area and the slopes. My departure time is approaching. I'll take the Hakodate City Tram from Suehiro-cho back to Hakodate Ekimae. This will be the last time I use the City Tram One-Day Pass.

I've arrived at Hakodate Station! So, what did you think of this trip enjoying Hakodate and Southern Hokkaido using public transportation? Not only can you visit the classic, representative spots of the region, but using local buses and trains makes you feel like you've gotten to know the area on a deeper level. Please use this as a reference for planning your own affordable trip!