Located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate is a popular tourist destination for its night view from Mount Hakodate, one of the "World's Three Great Night Views," as well as for its gourmet cuisine and exotic cityscape. Hakodate has a well-developed tram system that boasts over 100 years of history, making it possible to visit a variety of spots even without a car. In this issue, we will introduce 15 spots for city walking in Hakodate that you should keep in mind.

Hakodate's famous live squid is a must-try!

Hakodate Asaichi is a huge market where all kinds of Hakodate delicacies, including fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits, are gathered. About 250 stores line the market area, including a live squid fishing pond where you can have your squid sashimi made on the spot, and popular restaurants serving seafood rice bowls and ramen noodles. Accessible within a minute's walk from Hakodate Station, it is one of the sightseeing spots that should not be missed.

Hakodate Morning Market

■Opening hours:
January - April: 6:00 - after 14:00
May-December: 5:00 - after 14:00 *Varies by store
Address: 11-15 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate City
One minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
For details and map information of Hakodate Morning Market, click here.

A variety of unique stores where one can casually go alone.

Located in the Daimon district in the downtown area in front of JR Hakodate Station, this yatai (food stall) village features 26 stalls offering a variety of tastes. Located close to the station and hotel district, the area is crowded with both locals and tourists. Daimon Baru, a drinking and strolling event held irregularly, is also popular, with many restaurants in the area participating, especially in Daimon Yokocho. In addition to a stamp rally where you can win gorgeous prizes, you can eat and drink at reasonable prices, so why not participate if you have the chance?

Daimon Yokocho

Hours of operation: *Vary according to each store.
Address：7-5 Shofu-cho, Hakodate
7 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station
Click here for details and map information of "Daimon Yokocho

View from Goryokaku Tower

Goryokaku, one of Hakodate's most popular sightseeing spots, is a castle designated as a special national historic site. Today, the area is known as "Goryokaku Park" and is a popular place for citizens to relax in a rich natural setting, as well as a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. It is recommended to visit from JR Hakodate Station by bus or tram.

Goryokaku Park

■Opening Hours:
Admission to the Kaku is from 5 to 7 p.m. (April to October)
5 - 18:00 (November - March)
Address: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
Hakodate City Tram: Get off at Goryokaku Koen-mae (Goryokaku Park) and walk 10 min.
Hakodate Bus: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen Iriguchi" and walk 5 minutes.
Click here for details and a map of Goryokaku Park.

Light and rich "Ajisai Shio Ramen" is popular.

Sapporo's miso, Asahikawa's soy sauce, and Hakodate's salt ramen are Hokkaido's three most popular types of ramen. Ajisai is a long-established salt ramen shop in Hakodate with a history of over 90 years. The ramen, which has been made in accordance with the methods used since the establishment of the restaurant, has a light yet concentrated flavor that has captivated both locals and tourists alike. The main store is located near Goryokaku, so you can stop by while sightseeing.

Hakodate Menkyo Kobo Ajisai Main Branch

Business hours: 11:00 - 20:25 (LO)
Closed on the fourth Wednesday of the month (or the following weekday if the day falls on a national holiday)
Address: 29-22 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen-mae" and walk 10 minutes.
Hakodate Bus: Get off at Goryokaku Koen Iriguchi bus stop. 5-minute walk.
Click here for details and map information of "Hakodate Menzukabo Ajisai" main branch.

Rebuilt after two major fires, the current structure was completed in 1923.

The Motomachi area, which retains many historic buildings with an exotic atmosphere, is lined with churches of different denominations, but the "Catholic Motomachi Church" with its soaring large bell tower is the most impressive. The church was destroyed by fire twice, but has been rebuilt and is now one of the three churches that represent the Motomachi area of Hakodate. The altar inside the chancel was a gift from Pope Benedict XV and is the only one of its kind in Japan.

Motomachi Catholic Church

Hours: 10:00-16:00 (except Sunday mornings and during services)
■Holidays：December 30 through January 5 (year-end and New Year holidays), when the sanctuary is in use.
Address: 15-30 Motomachi, Hakodate City
25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: Approx. 10 min. walk from Jujigai stop.
Click here for details and map information of Motomachi Catholic Church.

Beautiful architecture depicted on the country sign of Hakodate City

Hakodate Haristos Orthodox Church, with its contrasting white walls and green roof, is another church that represents the Motomachi area. Originally built in 1860 as a chapel attached to the Russian Consulate, it was destroyed by fire in the Great Hakodate Fire and rebuilt, and is now designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It is also depicted on the country sign of Hakodate City. The beautiful sound of the church bell, selected as one of the "100 Best Soundscapes of Japan," echoes at the foot of Mount Hakodate on weekends.

Hakodate Haristos Orthodox Church

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 13:00-16:00
■Holidays: December 25 afternoon - March 24
Address: 3-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City
・25 min. walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: Approx. 10 min. walk from Jujigai stop.
Click here for details and map information of Hakodate Haristos Orthodox Church.

The cross-shaped roof can be seen from the top of Mount Hakodate.

Hakodate St. John's Church, with its impressive cross carved into its white walls and unique domed roof, is one of the three churches in the Motomachi area of Hakodate. This church, too, has a history of being destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times, with the current cathedral completed in 1979. The building incorporates the architectural style of medieval European churches with a modern design, and its distinctive brown roof, which juts out in a cross shape, can be seen from the top of Mount Hakodate like a cross.

Hakodate St. John's Church

Hours: May 2 - Nov. 3, tours available by advance reservation
■Holidays：November 4 - May 1
■Address: 3-23 Motomachi, Hakodate
・25 min. walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: Approx. 10 min. walk from Jujigai stop.
Click here for details and map information of "Hakodate St. John's Church

A moody and photogenic spot

Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse is a symbolic building in the Bay Area district, a popular tourist spot. 1909, the warehouse was transformed into a shopping mall, event hall, and other complex facilities that now attract many tourists. At night, the building is illuminated, creating a romantic mood. It is recommended as a date spot during the Christmas season.

Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse

Hours: 9:30-19:00
Address: 14-12 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・15 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: Approx. 5 min. walk from Jujigai stop.
Click here for details and map information of Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse.

The most popular Chinese Chicken Burger is "huge"!

One of Hakodate's most popular local foods is Lucky Pierrot, with its impressive colorful signboard. Nicknamed "Lappi," it is a local burger chain that attracts both locals and tourists. The most popular item is the Chinese chicken burger. The Chinese chicken is marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce and served with a hearty portion of crispy lettuce. In addition to burgers, curry rice and omelette rice are also popular, so much so that they are called signature dishes.

Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store

Business hours: 10:00-22:00
■Holiday: December 31
■Address: 23-18 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・18 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: 5-minute walk from Suehiro-cho stop
Click here for details and map information of Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store.

The bento container has a convenient slot in the lid for removing skewers.

Hasegawa Store, nicknamed "Hacesto," is a local convenience store with 13 outlets mainly in Hakodate, and is famous for its signature product, the yakitori bento. The yakitori bento, which consists of rice topped with seaweed and grilled pork skewers (called yakitori in Hokkaido), is available in five different flavors, the most popular of which is tare (sauce) flavor. The savory yakitori and nori (seaweed) rice mixed with the sauce is exquisitely delicious. The neighboring restaurant, Lappi, is a great spot to taste Hakodate's representative local food in one place.

Hasegawa Store Bay Area Store

Business hours: 7:00-22:00
Address: 23-5 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
18-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station.
Hakodate City Tram: 5-minute walk from Suehiro-cho stop.
Click here for details and map information of Hasegawa Store Bay Area Store.

Dress up in Meiji-era costumes and experience what it was like in the Meiji era.

The former Hakodate Ward Public Hall was built in 1910 to rebuild the town hall that was destroyed by a large fire. The elegant Western-style building is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the interior, with its gorgeous furnishings and furniture, is reminiscent of the Meiji era. The "Costume Hall," where visitors can try on long, glamorous dresses and high-collar-style costumes, is also popular. Visitors can also experience the feeling of going back in time by pretending to be ladies and gentlemen of the Meiji era.

Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall

■Opening hours:
(April-October) Tue-Fri 9:00-18:00 Sat-Mon 9:00-19:00
■Holidays: December 31-January 3
(Nov. - Mar.) 9:00 - 17:00
Address: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City
25 min. walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: 7-minute walk from Suehiro-cho stop
Click here for details and map information of the former Hakodate Ward Public Hall.

Hakodate people's soul food "Cisco Rice

Nicknamed "California Baby," this Western-style restaurant is popular for its specialty, "Cisco Rice. Cisco rice is a hearty dish of butter rice topped with grilled sausage and a generous portion of meat sauce. The restaurant, which was started in a renovated Taisho era post office building, is an open space with an old American atmosphere, and has been a favorite of Hakodate residents for over 40 years since 1976.

California Baby

Business hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Closed: Thursday
Address: 23-15 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
18-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station.
Hakodate City Tram: 5-minute walk from Suehiro-cho stop.
Click here for more information about "California Baby" and map information.

An exceptional time to enjoy popular chiffon cakes on antique plates.

As the name suggests, this café was inspired by "Anne of Green Gables" and is a popular tourist spot, as it is famous for being frequented by former JUDY AND MARY member Yuki, who hails from Hakodate. The antique decorations and furniture make the interior a relaxed and cozy space, where you can enjoy an exceptional tea time with a set menu of handmade bread and salad and popular chiffon cakes.

Green Gables

Business hours: 10:00 - 16:00
Closed: Mondays
Address: 20-3 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
25 minute walk from JR Obihiro Station.
Hakodate City Tram: Approx. 2 minutes walk from Suehiro-cho stop.
Click here for details and map information of Green Gables.

Various views can be enjoyed depending on the season and time of day.

Hachimanzaka, popular for its spectacular views, is one of Hakodate's most famous tourist attractions. The cobblestone path that continues in a straight line from the top of the hill offers a panoramic view of Hakodate Bay and its beautiful scenery is captivating. In winter, it is illuminated at night to create a romantic atmosphere. It is a recommended spot to enjoy a variety of scenery depending on the season and time of day you visit.

Hachimanzaka

Address: Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City
25 minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
Hakodate City Tram: 5-minute walk from Suehiro-cho stop.
Click here for details and map information of Hachimanzaka

Mount Hakodate is a must-see spot when visiting Hakodate, and there are various ways to access the mountain. Mount Hakodate can be accessed in a variety of ways. The most common are by ropeway or shuttle bus from the foot of the mountain, but if you have more time, we recommend using the mountain trail. If you have time to spare, the well-maintained trail will take you to the summit in about one hour from the entrance of the trail at the Mt. Hakodate, and you can enjoy the view from the top of the mountain while taking a nature walk and enjoying the hiking atmosphere.

Mount Hakodate Observation Deck (Mount Hakodate Ropeway)

Ropeway Hours
April 20-September 30 First train departs at 10:00 - last train down at 22:00
Oct. 1-Apr. 19: first departure 10:00 - last descent 21:00
Address: Mount Hakodate, Hakodate City
Hakodate City Tram: Get off at Jujigai (Jujigai Street) stop, approx. 10 min. walk.
Click here for details and map information of "Mount Hakodate Observation Deck

Hakodate Observation Deck!