Located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate is a popular tourist destination known for its night view from Mount Hakodate, considered one of the world's top three, as well as its delicious cuisine and exotic, Western-influenced streetscapes. With a well-developed streetcar system boasting over 100 years of history, Hakodate allows you to visit various spots even without a car. Here are 15 must-see spots for a walking tour of Hakodate.

The live squid, a Hakodate specialty, is a must-try dish.

The Hakodate Morning Market is a massive market where you can find all of Hakodate's culinary delights, from fresh seafood to vegetables and fruits. Popular attractions include a live squid fishing pond where they prepare your catch as sashimi on the spot, and eateries serving seafood bowls and ramen. The market area is bustling with about 250 shops. It's just a 1-minute walk from Hakodate Station, making it an essential tourist spot.

Hakodate Morning Market

■ Hours:
Jan-Apr 6:00 AM - past 2:00 PM
May-Dec 5:00 AM - past 2:00 PM *Hours vary by store
■ Address: 11-15 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate
・1-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
Click here for details and map of Hakodate Morning Market

A collection of unique stalls that are easy to enter even if you're alone.

This is a food stall village in the Daimon district, a bustling area in front of JR Hakodate Station, with 26 stalls offering a variety of flavors. Its proximity to the station and hotels makes it a lively spot for both locals and tourists. The occasional "Daimon Bar" pub crawl event is also popular, featuring many participating restaurants from Daimon Yokocho and the surrounding area. With a stamp rally offering deluxe prizes and the chance to eat and drink at great prices, it's worth joining if you get the chance.

Daimon Yokocho

■ Hours: *Varies by store
■ Closed: *Varies by store
■ Address: 7-5 Matsukaze-cho, Hakodate
・7-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
Click here for details and map of Daimon Yokocho

The view from Goryokaku Tower.

Goryokaku, a representative tourist spot of Hakodate, is a fortress designated as a Special National Historic Site. Today, as Goryokaku Park, it is a relaxing place rich in nature, beloved by citizens and a popular spot for cherry blossoms. From the adjacent Goryokaku Tower, you can get a panoramic view of Goryokaku and enjoy the beautiful star-shaped fortress in every season. It is recommended to visit from JR Hakodate Station by bus or streetcar.

Goryokaku Park

■ Hours:
Park admission: 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Apr-Oct)
5:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Nov-Mar)
■ Address: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen Mae," approx. 10-minute walk
・Hakodate Bus: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen Iriguchi," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Goryokaku Park

The light yet rich "Ajisai Shio Ramen" is a popular choice.

Hokkaido's three great ramens are Sapporo's miso, Asahikawa's shoyu (soy sauce), and Hakodate's shio (salt). Here in Hakodate, Ajisai is a long-established shio ramen shop with a history of over 90 years. While preserving its original recipe, the flavor has been refined over time, resulting in a light yet concentrated umami that captivates both locals and tourists. The main store is located very close to Goryokaku, making it a convenient stop during your sightseeing.

Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Store

■ Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:25 PM (Last Order)
■ Closed: Fourth Wednesday of the month (if it's a public holiday, the next weekday)
■ Address: 29-22 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen Mae," approx. 10-minute walk
・Hakodate Bus: Get off at "Goryokaku Koen Iriguchi," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Store

The current building was completed in 1923 after being rebuilt from two major fires.

The Motomachi area, which preserves many historic buildings with an exotic atmosphere, is home to churches of different denominations. The Motomachi Roman Catholic Church is particularly impressive with its tall belfry roof. Despite being rebuilt after two major fires, it is now counted among the three representative churches of the Hakodate Motomachi area. The altar inside the cathedral was a gift from Pope Benedict XV and is the only one of its kind in Japan.

Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

■ Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (except Sunday mornings and during services)
■ Closed: Year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 30 - Jan 5), and when the cathedral is in use.
■ Address: 15-30 Motomachi, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Jujigai," approx. 10-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

The beautiful architecture is also depicted on Hakodate's country sign.

The Hakodate Orthodox Church, with its beautiful contrast of white walls and a green roof, is another representative church of the Motomachi area. Originally built in 1860 as an attached chapel to the Russian consulate, it was rebuilt after the Great Hakodate Fire and is now designated as an Important National Cultural Property. It is also depicted on Hakodate's country sign. The beautiful sound of its bells has been selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan" and can be heard ringing at the foot of Mount Hakodate on weekends.

Hakodate Orthodox Church

■ Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
■ Closed: Winter period (Dec 26 - Mar 26)
■ Address: 3-13 Motomachi, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Jujigai," approx. 10-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Hakodate Orthodox Church

The popular "Chocolat Voyage" souvenir is a small cake made with fresh cream and ganache.

Angelique Voyage is a popular patisserie in Hakodate's Motomachi area where there's always a line. Their specialty is an exquisite crêpe with a "30-minute expiration time." You can enjoy the chewy texture of the crêpe and the crispy mille-feuille hidden inside at their absolute best. For souvenirs, the "Chocolat Voyage," a raw truffle that is as beautiful as a jewel and melts smoothly in your mouth, is also extremely popular.

Angelique Voyage

■ Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM *Closes when sold out
■ Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays (if a holiday, closed the next day) (Please check the official website for details)
■ Address: 3-11 Yayoi-cho, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Omachi," approx. 3-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Angelique Voyage

A moody and photogenic spot.

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a symbolic building in the popular Bay Area tourist district. The warehouses, built in 1909, have now been transformed into a complex facility with a shopping mall and event hall, bustling with many tourists. At night, the buildings are lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere. It's also a recommended spot for a date during the Christmas season.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

■ Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
■ Address: 14-12 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・15-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Jujigai," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

The most popular Chinese Chicken Burger is simply huge and delicious.

When it comes to Hakodate's representative local food, you can't miss Lucky Pierrot, with its distinctive colorful signs. Affectionately known as "Lappi," this local burger chain is bustling with everyone from locals to tourists. The most popular item is, without a doubt, the Chinese Chicken Burger. It's packed with juicy fried chicken marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, and crisp lettuce, making it incredibly satisfying. Besides burgers, their curry rice and omurice are also so popular they're considered signature dishes.

Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store

■ Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
■ Closed: Open year-round
■ Address: 23-18 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・18-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store

The bento box has a convenient groove that lets you remove the skewers with the lid on.

Affectionately known as "Hasesto," Hasegawa Store is a local convenience store chain with 13 locations mainly in Hakodate, famous for its signature "Yakitori Bento." The bento features grilled pork skewers (in Hokkaido, these are also called "yakitori") served over rice with a sheet of nori seaweed. There are five flavor variations, but the most popular is the tare (sauce) flavor. The fragrant grilled pork and the sauce-soaked nori rice are an exquisite combination. The store is located next to a "Lappi," making it a great spot to taste two of Hakodate's representative local foods at once.

Hasegawa Store Bay Area Store

■ Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
■ Closed: Open year-round
■ Address: 23-5 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・18-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Hasegawa Store Bay Area Store

Experience dressing up in Meiji-era costumes.

The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward was built in 1910 to replace a town meeting hall that was destroyed by a major fire. This elegant Western-style building is designated as an Important National Cultural Property, and its interior, with gorgeous furnishings and furniture, feels as if time has stopped in the Meiji era. The "Ishokan" (Costume Hall), where you can try on glamorous long dresses or outfits reminiscent of fashionable Meiji-era ladies, is also popular. It's a great way to feel like you've traveled back in time as a gentleman or lady of the Meiji period.

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

■ Hours:
(Apr-Oct) Tue-Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat-Mon 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
(Nov-Mar) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■ Closed: Dec 31 - Jan 3
■ Address: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 7-minute walk
Click here for details and map of the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

"Cisco Rice," the soul food of Hakodate locals.

Affectionately known as "Caribaby," this Western-style restaurant is popular for its specialty, "Cisco Rice." Cisco Rice is a hearty dish of butter rice topped with grilled sausages and a generous amount of meat sauce. The restaurant, which was converted from a Taisho-era post office building, has a spacious, old-American atmosphere. It's a beloved establishment that has been cherished by the people of Hakodate for over 40 years since 1976.

California Baby

■ Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat, Sun, Holidays 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
■ Closed: Thursdays
■ Address: 23-15 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・18-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of California Baby

A special time enjoying the popular chiffon cake on an antique plate.

As its name suggests, this café is inspired by "Anne of Green Gables" and is also famous as a place frequented by YUKI, the former vocalist of JUDY AND MARY, who is from Hakodate, making it a popular tourist spot. The interior, decorated with antique ornaments and furniture, offers a calm and cozy space. Why not spend a special teatime with their homemade bread and salad set menu or the popular chiffon cake?

Green Gables

■ Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Subject to change)
■ Closed: Mondays
■ Address: 20-3 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 2-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Green Gables

Enjoy various scenes depending on the season and time of day.

Hachiman-zaka Slope, popular for its stunning views, is one of Hakodate's most representative tourist attractions. The straight cobblestone path from the top of the slope offers a clear view all the way to Hakodate Bay, a beautiful sight that will capture your heart. In winter, it is illuminated at night, creating a romantic atmosphere. It's a recommended spot where you can enjoy different scenery depending on the season and time of day you visit.

Hachiman-zaka Slope

■ Address: Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
・25-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Suehiro-cho," approx. 5-minute walk
Click here for details and map of Hachiman-zaka Slope

Mount Hakodate is a must-visit spot when you're in Hakodate, and there are various ways to get to the top. The most common methods are using the ropeway from the foot of Mount Hakodate or taking a shuttle bus, but if you have time, we recommend using the hiking trail. The well-maintained trail allows you to reach the summit in about an hour from the Hakodateyama Fureai Center at the trailhead. You can enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace, like a hike while strolling through nature.

Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate Ropeway)

■ Ropeway Hours
Apr 20 - Sep 30: First departure 10:00 AM - Last descent 10:00 PM
Oct 1 - Apr 19: First departure 10:00 AM - Last descent 9:00 PM
■ Address: Mount Hakodate, Hakodate
・Hakodate Streetcar: Get off at "Jujigai," approx. 10-minute walk
Click here for details and map of the Mount Hakodate Observatory