EDITORIALS
The 10 best places to drive around Hakodate in 2024! Experience a retro port town and great nature!
The Hakodate suburban area is full of fresh seafood and historic spots, including retro streets with an exotic atmosphere unique to a port town! In this issue, we will introduce some of the best spots in the Hakodate suburbs that will make you want to visit again and again.
Mount Hakodate Observation Deck (Hakodate City), a million-dollar night view overlooking Hakodate City
Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City), a cherry blossom viewing spot where history buffs gather
Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City), a treasure trove of Hakodate's representative gourmet foods and souvenirs
Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town), the last castle built in Japan
Onuma National Park (Nanae Town), where you can enjoy the great nature and more than 100 islands floating in the swamps
6 . the Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City), surrounded by beautiful nature in every season
7 . the Old British Consulate (Port Opening Memorial Hall) in Hakodate (Hakodate City), a popular strolling spot in the Motomachi area
8 . the Old Hakodate Public Hall (Hakodate City), where you can experience an exotic atmosphere while wearing high-carat costumes
9 . the powerful intermittent spring that erupts more than 15 meters high "Roadside Station Shikabe Intermittent Spring Park and Footbath" (Shikabe Town )
Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City), popular for its tropical plants in summer and monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter.
Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City), a million-dollar night view overlooking Hakodate City
Hakodate Observatory is a popular sightseeing spot in Hakodate, offering a panoramic view of the city and its suburbs. Surrounded on both sides by the sea, the unique topography creates a spectacular view, and the night scenery sparkling in the dignified air is breathtaking. There is a restaurant on the second floor of the observatory and a tea lounge on the third floor, where visitors can enjoy a meal and a spectacular view in a relaxed atmosphere. The observatory can be reached by bus or private car, but the view from the ropeway, which runs from the ground to the top of the mountain, is also noteworthy.
Operating hours: Ropeway: Saturday, April 20 - Monday, September 30, 10:00-22:00 / Tuesday, October 1 - Saturday, April 19, 10:00-21:00
Fees: Ropeway round-trip: 1,800 yen for junior high school students and older / 900 yen for children
Children under 2 years old are free of charge. 1 infant from 3 years old to elementary school age is free of charge for each adult.
Location: Mount Hakodate Observatory, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information on Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City)
2. Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City), a cherry blossom viewing spot where history buffs gather
The star-shaped castle "Goryokaku Ruins" was the last fortress for the former shogunate forces led by Takeaki Enomoto and Toshizo Hijikata during the Hakodate War, the last battle of the Boshin War. Today it is known as Goryokaku Park, and the restored Hakodate Magistrate's Office is also worth seeing. The outer perimeter of the moat, about 1,800 meters in circumference, is used as a promenade, which is decorated with cherry blossoms in spring and snow and illuminations on the frozen moat in winter.
■Opening Hours
Goryokaku Park: April - October 5:00 - 19:00 / November - March 5:00 - 18:00
Hakodate Magistrate's Office: April - October 9:00 - 18:00 / November - March 9:00 - 17:00 *Last entry 15 minutes before closing
Admission: Free in the park
Hakodate Magistrate's Office: Adults ¥500 / Students ¥250 / Preschool children free
Location: Goryokaku Park, 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
Click here for details and map information of Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City )
3. "Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City)," a treasure trove of Hakodate's representative gourmet foods and souvenirs
The red brick warehouses that line the bay area offer a romantic atmosphere. The seven buildings operating as Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses are divided into the themes of "Hakodate History Plaza," "Kanamori Hall," "Kanamori Yokomonokan" and "BAY Hakodate," and are lined with restaurants, souvenir stores and other facilities. In addition to shopping and dining, various events are held depending on the season, and the area is always bustling with people.
■Opening Hours
Hakodate Beer Hall: 10:00-19:00 until March 8 (Fri.) / 9:30-19:00 from March 9 (Sat.)
Hakodate Beer Hall: Weekdays 11:30 - 21:30 / Weekends and holidays 11:00 - 21:30 *Last order at 21:00
Location: Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse, 13-9 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate
Click here for details and map information of Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City )
4. Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae-cho), the last castle built in Japan
Matsumae Castle, officially named Fukuyama Castle, was the last castle built in Japan. It was attacked by Shinsengumi deputy chief Hijikata Toshizo during the Boshin War between the end of the Edo period and the Meiji period, and has been selected as one of the "100 Great Castles of Japan" and a "Hokkaido Heritage" site. After the wooden castle tower was destroyed by fire, a reconstruction tower made of reinforced concrete was completed and opened as the Matsumae Castle Museum. In spring, it is popular as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and the contrast with the castle is breathtaking.
Hours: April 10 (Wed) - December 10 (Tue), 9:00 - 17:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Fees: High school students and older: 360 yen / Elementary/junior high school students and older: 240 yen / Infants: free
Location: 144 Aza-Matsushiro, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun
Click here for details and map information of Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town )
5. "Onuma National Park (Nanae Town)" where you can stroll through a swamp with great nature and more than 100 islands
The area around Onuma is one of the oldest natural parks in Japan, where nature has been protected and park facilities have been developed as Hokkaido's provincial park. The surrounding trees, water lilies, waterweeds, and other plants on the surface of the lake show the beauty of nature in all four seasons throughout the year. Especially in the fall, when the leaves change color, the entire lakeside area is a picturesque scene of vivid colors.
Location: Onuma National Park, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun
Click here for details and map information of Onuma National Park (Nanae Town).
6. "Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City)" surrounded by beautiful seasonal nature
Officially named the "Abbey of Our Lady of the Lighthouse of the Cistercians of the Strict Cistercian Order," it was founded as the first men's monastery in Japan. The "Trappist butter" and "Trappist cookies" made at the monastery are popular among many people and have spread throughout the country as representative souvenirs of Hokkaido. Soft ice cream made from the popular Trappist butter is also sold at the store.
Location: 392 Mitsuishi, Hokuto City
Click here for details and map information of the Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City).
7. The Old British Consulate in Hakodate, a classic strolling spot in the Motomachi area
The building was used as the British Consulate until 1934, and after being renovated in 1992, it is now open to the public as the Port Opening Memorial Hall. In 2023, the building was renovated with bright red chairs and robes, a replica of the tiara actually used by Queen Elizabeth II, and a new "Princess Photo Space" where visitors can have their photo taken in the role of a princess. A "Princess Photo Space" has been newly established where visitors can take photos in the role of a princess.
Hours: April-October 9:00-19:00 / November-March 9:00-17:00
Admission: Adults: 300 yen / Students, pupils, children, and those over 65 years old in Hakodate: 150 yen
Location: 33-14 Motomachi, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information of "The Old British Consulate in Hakodate (Hakodate City)
8. Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall (Hakodate City): Experience an exotic atmosphere while wearing high-carat costumes
Hakodate's representative historical building, blending Japanese and Western elements. The impact of the building's exterior as a whole, as well as the extensive exhibits inside that explain the history of the public hall and the building's features, and the noble atmosphere created by the detailed workmanship of the interior are eye-catching. The "Costume Hall," where visitors can experience an exotic atmosphere by wearing long, glossy dresses and high-color costumes, is also popular.
■Opening Hours
April-October: Tue-Fri 9:00-18:00, Sat-Mon 9:00-19:00 / Nov-Mar 9:00-17:00 *Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Costume Gallery: Apr-Oct 9:00-17:00 / Nov 9:00-16:30 / Dec-Mar 10:00-16:00 *Last admission 1 hour before closing
Admission Fee
Public Hall: Adults: 300 yen / Students, pupils and children: 150 yen
Costume Hall *Prices vary depending on the costume course.
Location: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information of the former Hakodate Ward Public Hall (Hakodate City ).
9. "Roadside Station Shikabe Intermittent Spring Park and Footbath (Shikabe Town)," a powerful intermittent spring that erupts more than 15 meters high
This is a complex facility where visitors can enjoy local specialties, seafood, and hot springs in Shikabe Town. The "Intermittent Spring Park" where you can enjoy a natural geyser and footbath, which are rare in Japan, and the "Shikabe Food and Delicacy Museum" where you can enjoy Shikabe's food are also located. Visitors can relax in the footbath and watch the powerful spectacle of the geysers erupting.
Hours of operation: March 20-November 8:30-18:00 / December-March 19 9:00-18:00
*Varies depending on the day of the week.
Admission: Admission to footbath and geyser area: Adults: 300 yen / Elementary/junior high school students: 200 yen / Preschool children: free
Location: 18-1, Aza Shikabe, Shikabe-cho, Kayabe-gun
Click here for details and map information of "Roadside Station Shikabe Intermittent Spring Park and Footbath (Shikabe Town )
10. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City) is popular for its tropical plants in summer and monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter.
The botanical garden is home to 300 species of tropical plants. The park is popular for its "Monkey Mountain Hot Springs," where monkeys can be seen bathing in the outdoor hot springs during the winter months of December through May. There is also a covered footbath using hot spring water from the Yunokawa hot spring that visitors can freely use, and a "water plaza" where visitors can enjoy playing in the water.
Hours of operation: April-October 9:00-18:00 / November-March 9:00-17:00
*Monkeys bathing in hot springs: usually from December 1 to around Golden Week in May of the following year.
Fee: Adults 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
Location: 3-1-15 Yukawa-cho, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information of Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City).
All information is current as of March 2024.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.
