Hakodate, located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, is a popular tourist destination known for its night view from Mt. Hakodate, which is counted among the "Three Great Night Views in the World," as well as its gourmet food and exotic cityscapes. Hakodate has a well-equipped tram system that boasts over 100 years of history, so you can get around to various spots even without a car. In this article, we will introduce 15 must-see walking spots in Hakodate.

Hakodate's specialty, live squid, is a must-try dish

Hakodate Morning Market is a huge market where all the flavors of Hakodate are gathered, including fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits. The live squid fishing pond where you can have squid sashimi prepared on the spot, and restaurants serving seafood bowls and ramen are also popular, with about 250 stores lined up in the market area. It is only a one-minute walk from Hakodate Station, so it is one of the must-see tourist spots.

Hakodate Morning Market

■Business hours: January to April: 6:00 to 14:00 May to December 5:00 to after 14:00 *Varies by store ■Address: 11-15 Wakamatsucho, Hakodate City ・1 minute walk from JR Hakodate Station Click here for details and maps of "Hakodate Morning Market"

There are many unique restaurants that are easy to enter even by yourself.

Located in the Daimon district, a downtown area in front of JR Hakodate Station, this food stall village has 26 stores where you can enjoy a variety of flavors. It is close to the station and the hotel district, and is bustling with many people, from locals to tourists. The Daimon Bar, an irregularly held bar-hopping event, is also popular, with many restaurants in the area, mainly from Daimon Yokocho, taking part. In addition to a stamp rally with luxurious prizes, you can also eat and drink your way around at a bargain price, so if you have the chance, why not take part?

Daimon Yokocho

■Business hours: *Varies by store ■Closing days: *Varies by store ■Address: 7-5 Matsukazecho, Hakodate City ・7 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station Click here for details and map information on "Daimon Yokocho"

View from Goryokaku Tower

Goryokaku, one of Hakodate's most famous tourist spots, is a castle designated as a special national historic site. Today, Goryokaku Park is a popular place of relaxation for locals and surrounded by nature, and is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. From Goryokaku Tower, adjacent to the park, you can get a panoramic view of Goryokaku, and enjoy the beautiful star-shaped castle in all four seasons. We recommend getting there by bus or tram from JR Hakodate Station.

Goryokaku Park

■Business hours: Admission to the castle grounds is from 5:00 to 19:00 (April to October) 5:00-18:00 (November-March) ■Address: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate City ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Goryokaku Park" and walk for about 10 minutes ・Hakodate Bus: Get off at "Goryokaku Park Entrance" and walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and maps of Goryokaku Park

The light and rich "Ajisai Shio Ramen" is popular

Hokkaido's three great ramens are "Miso from Sapporo," "Soy sauce from Asahikawa," and "Salt from Hakodate." Ajisai is a long-established salt ramen shop founded in Hakodate more than 90 years ago. While maintaining the recipe from the time of its founding, the shop has made repeated improvements to suit the times, resulting in a light yet concentrated flavor that has captivated locals and tourists alike. The main store is located very close to Goryokaku, so you can stop by while sightseeing.

Hakodate Noodle Kitchen Ajisai Main Branch

■ Business hours: 11:00-20:25 (L.O.) ■Closed: Fourth Wednesday (next weekday if Wednesday is a public holiday) ■Address: 29-22 Goryokakucho, Hakodate City ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Goryokaku Park" and walk for about 10 minutes ・Hakodate Bus: Get off at "Goryokaku Park Entrance" and walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and map information for "Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Branch"

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

The Motomachi area, which is home to many historical buildings overflowing with exotic charm, is lined with churches of different denominations, but the Catholic Motomachi Church is particularly impressive with its soaring bell tower roof. After two major fires, it was rebuilt and is now counted among the three churches that represent the Hakodate Motomachi area. The altar inside the cathedral was a gift from Pope Benedict XV and is a precious and unique piece that is unique in Japan.

Motomachi Catholic Church

■Opening hours: 10:00-16:00 (excluding Sunday mornings and worship services) ■ Holidays: New Year's holiday (December 30th to January 5th), when the church is in use ■Address: 15-30 Motomachi, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Jujigai" and walk for about 10 minutes For details and maps of "Catholic Motomachi Church", please click here

A beautiful building depicted on the Hakodate City country sign

Hakodate Orthodox Church, with its beautiful contrast between white walls and green roof, is one of the churches that represent the Motomachi area. It was originally built as an attached church to the Russian consulate in 1860, but after being destroyed in the Great Hakodate Fire and rebuilt, it is now designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It is also depicted on the Hakodate City Country Sign. The beautiful sound of the church's bells has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Soundscapes of Japan," and can be heard ringing out at the foot of Mount Hakodate on weekends.

Hakodate Orthodox Church

■Usage hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 13:00-16:00 ■Closed days: Winter (December 26th to March 26th) ■Address: 3-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Jujigai" and walk for about 10 minutes Click here for details and maps of "Hakodate Orthodox Church"

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

Angelique Voyage is a popular patisserie in Hakodate Motomachi that always has a constant line. Its specialty is its exquisite crepes, which have a "best before date of 30 minutes." You can enjoy the chewy dough and the crispy millefeuille hidden inside at their best. Chocolat Voyage, a fresh truffle that is as beautiful as a jewel and melts in your mouth, is also very popular as a souvenir.

Angelique Voyage

■ Business hours: 10:00-19:00 *Ends when products run out ■Closed on: Mondays and Tuesdays (or the following day if the Monday or Tuesday falls on a public holiday) (please see the official website for details) ■Address: 3-11 Yayoicho, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Omachi", then walk for about 3 minutes Click here for details and maps of "Angelique Voyage"

A photogenic spot with a great atmosphere

The Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse is a symbolic building of the Bay Area, a popular tourist spot. Built in 1909, the warehouse has now been transformed into a complex with a shopping mall and event hall, and is bustling with tourists. At night, the building is lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere. It is also recommended as a date spot during the Christmas season.

Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse

■ Business hours: 9:30-19:00 ■Address: 14-12 Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・15 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Jujigai" and walk for about 5 minutes For details and maps of "Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse", please click here.

The most popular Chinese chicken burger can be described in one word as "huge yum!"

When talking about local food that represents Hakodate, one cannot leave out "Lucky Pierrot," with its striking colorful sign. Affectionately known as "Rappi," this local burger chain is crowded with locals and tourists alike. The most popular item is, without a doubt, the Chinese chicken burger. This hearty burger is made with juicy fried Chinese chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce and crunchy lettuce. In addition to burgers, curry rice and omelet rice are also so popular that they are called signature dishes.

Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store

■Business hours: 10:00-21:00 ■ Closed: Open everyday ■Address: 23-18 Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・18 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and map information for "Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store"

The lunch box has a convenient groove for removing skewers when the lid is closed.

Hasegawa Store, affectionately known as "Hase-sto," is a local convenience store with 13 locations mainly in Hakodate, and is famous for its signature product, the Yakitori Bento. The Yakitori Bento, which consists of skewers of pork meat (also called "yakitori" in Hokkaido) grilled in-store on rice covered in seaweed, comes in five different flavors, but the most popular is the sauce flavor. The savory yakitori and seaweed rice coated in sauce are an exquisite combination. The neighboring store is Rappi, so it's a great spot to try two of Hakodate's representative local foods in one go.

Hasegawa Store Bay Area

■ Business hours: 7:00-22:00 ■ Closed: Open everyday ■Address: 23-5 Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・18 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and map information for "Hasegawa Store Bay Area Branch"

Experience dressing up in Meiji period costumes

The Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall was built in 1910 to rebuild the town hall that had been destroyed in a major fire. The elegant Western-style architecture has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the interior, with its gorgeous furnishings and other items on display, makes you feel as if time has flowed back to the Meiji period. The Costume Museum is also popular, where you can try on gorgeous long dresses and high-collar outfits. It's a great way to experience the feeling of going back in time by becoming a gentleman or lady of the Meiji period.

Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall

■Business hours: (April-October) Tue-Fri 9:00-18:00 Sat-Mon 9:00-19:00 ■Holidays: December 31st to January 3rd (November to March) 9:00 to 17:00 ■Address: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 7 minutes For details and maps of "Old Hakodate Ward Public Hall," click here.

Hakodate people's soul food "Cisco Rice"

Affectionately known as "Caribbean Baby," this Western-style restaurant is popular for its specialty dish, Cisco Rice. Cisco Rice is a hearty dish of butter rice topped with grilled sausages and generous amounts of meat sauce. The interior of the restaurant, which was opened by renovating a post office building from the Taisho period, is an open space with an old American atmosphere. This famous restaurant has been loved by Hakodate residents for over 40 years since it opened in 1976.

California Baby

■Business hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00-22:00 Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00-22:00 ■Closed on Thursdays ■Address: 23-15 Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・18 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and maps of "California Baby"

Enjoy a special time tasting popular chiffon cake served on antique plates

As the name suggests, this cafe is based on the theme of Anne of Green Gables, and is also famous for being frequented by Yuki, a former member of JUDY AND MARY, who is from Hakodate, and is a popular tourist spot. The interior of the store, decorated with antique decorations and furniture, is a calm and comfortable space, so why not enjoy a special tea time with a set menu of handmade bread and salad, popular chiffon cake, and more?

Green Gables

■ Business hours: 10:00-18:00 (subject to change) ■Closed on Mondays ■Address: 20-3 Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 2 minutes Click here for details and map information on "Green Gables"

You can enjoy various scenes depending on the season and time of day.

Hachimanzaka, popular for its stunning views, is one of Hakodate's most famous tourist attractions. The stone-paved road that stretches in a straight line from the top of the hill offers a view all the way to Hakodate Bay, and the beautiful scenery is sure to captivate you. In winter, the area is lit up at night, creating a romantic atmosphere, and it is a recommended spot where you can enjoy a variety of scenery depending on the season and time of day you visit.

Hachimanzaka

■Address: Suehirocho, Hakodate City ・25 minutes walk from JR Hakodate Station ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho", then walk for about 5 minutes Click here for details and map information on "Hachimanzaka"

Mt. Hakodate is a must-see spot when you visit Hakodate, and there are various ways to access the top. The most common way is to take the ropeway or shuttle bus from the base of Mt. Hakodate, but if you have time, we recommend using the mountain trail. If you use the well-maintained mountain trail, you can reach the summit in about an hour from the Mt. Hakodate Fureai Center, which is the trailhead. You can enjoy the scenery at your own pace as you take a nature walk.

Hakodate Mountain Observatory (Hakodate Mountain Ropeway)

■ Ropeway operating hours April 20th to September 30th: First train 10:00 to last train 22:00 October 1st to April 19th: First train 10:00 - last train 21:00 ■Address: Mount Hakodate, Hakodate City ・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Jujigai" and walk for about 10 minutes Click here for details and maps of "Hakodateyama Observatory"