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[2025 Edition] 10 Recommended Driving Spots Near Hakodate! Experience the Retro Port Town and Mother Nature
The area around Hakodate is full of retro streets with an exotic atmosphere that only a port city can offer, as well as plenty of spots that offer fresh seafood and a sense of history! This time, we will introduce some recommended spots in the area around Hakodate that you will want to visit again and again.
- Hakodateyama Observatory (Hakodate City): A million-dollar night view overlooking the city of Hakodate
- Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City), a famous cherry blossom viewing spot where history lovers gather
- Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City): A treasure trove of gourmet food and souvenirs representative of Hakodate
- The last castle built in Japan: Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town)
- Walk through the vast nature of Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town) and explore the swamp with over 100 floating islands
- Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City) surrounded by beautiful nature throughout the seasons
- A popular walking spot in the Motomachi area: "Former British Consulate in Hakodate (Port Opening Memorial Hall)" (Hakodate City)
- Wear fashionable clothes and experience a foreign atmosphere at the "Old Hakodate Ward Public Hall (Hakodate City)"
- A spectacular geyser that shoots up to a height of over 15m at Shikabe Geyser Park Roadside Station and Footbath (Shikabe Town)
- Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City) is popular for its tropical plants in summer and monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter.
1. Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City): A million-dollar night view overlooking the city of Hakodate
A classic tourist spot in Hakodate, offering a panoramic view of Hakodate city and its suburbs. The view, created by the unique topography surrounded by the sea on both sides, and the sparkling night view in the crisp air are spectacular. There is a restaurant on the second floor of the observation deck and a tea lounge on the third floor, where you can relax and enjoy your meal and the spectacular view. You can reach the observation deck by mountain bus or private car, but the view from the ropeway that runs from the ground to the summit is also not to be missed.
■Opening hours: Ropeway: April 20th (Sun) - September 30th (Tue) 10:00-22:00 / October 1st (Wed) - April 19th (Sun) 10:00-21:00 ■Fee: Ropeway round trip: Junior high school students and above 1,800 yen / Children 900 yen *Free for children under 2 years old, free for children aged 3 to elementary school age, one child per adult, and child price for two or more. ■Location: Hakodateyama, Hakodate City Click here for details and map information on "Mt. Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City)"
2. Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City): A famous cherry blossom viewing spot for history lovers
The star-shaped Goryokaku ruins served as the last stronghold for the former Shogunate forces led by Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo during the Battle of Hakodate, the final battle of the Boshin War. Today it is known affectionately as Goryokaku Park, and the restored Hakodate Magistrate's Office is also well worth a visit. The perimeter of the 1,800m-long moat is used as a promenade, and is decorated with cherry blossoms in spring and snow and illuminations on the frozen moat in winter.
■ Business hours ・Goryokaku Park (inside the park): April to October 5:00 to 19:00 / November to March 5:00 to 18:00 ・Hakodate Magistrate's Office: April to October 9:00 to 18:00 / November to March 9:00 to 17:00 *Last admission is 15 minutes before closing ■ Fee: Free inside the park Hakodate Magistrate's Office: Adults 500 yen / Students and children 250 yen / Preschoolers free ■Address: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate City Click here for details and map information on "Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City)"
3. Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City): A treasure trove of gourmet food and souvenirs representative of Hakodate
The red brick warehouses that stand in a row in the bay area give off a romantic atmosphere. The seven buildings that make up the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses are divided into themes of "BAY Hakodate," "Kanamori Western Museum," "Hakodate History Plaza," and "Kanamori Hall," and are lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and more. In addition to enjoying shopping and eating and drinking, the area is always bustling with activity, with various events held depending on the season.
■ Business hours ・Store hours: 9:30-19:00 ・Hakodate Beer Hall: Weekdays 11:30-21:30 / Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:00-21:30 *Last orders at 21:00 ■Address: 13-9 Suehirocho, Hakodate City For details and maps of "Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses (Hakodate City)", please click here.
4. Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town): The last castle built in Japan
Matsumae Castle, officially called Fukuyama Castle, was the last castle built in Japan. It is also known as the castle where Toshizo Hijikata, vice-chief of the Shinsengumi, attacked during the Boshin War from the end of the Edo period to 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 burned down, a new one made of reinforced concrete was completed and opened as the Matsumae Castle Museum. It is also popular as a cherry blossom viewing spot in spring, and the contrast with the castle is spectacular.
■Opening hours: April 10th (Friday) to December 10th (Thursday) 9:00-17:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing ■Price: High school students and above 360 yen / Elementary and junior high school students and above 240 yen / Toddlers free ■Address: 144 Matsushiro, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun For details and maps of "Matsumae Castle and Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town)" please click here
5. Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town): Stroll through the vast nature of the lake with over 100 floating islands
The area around Lake Onuma is one of the oldest natural parks in Japan, where nature is protected and park facilities are developed as a prefectural park in Hokkaido. There are 126 islands of various sizes floating on three lakes, including Lake Onuma, and the surrounding trees, water lilies floating on the lake surface, and aquatic plants show the beauty of nature throughout the seasons throughout the year. In particular, in the autumn when the leaves change color, you can enjoy a picturesque landscape where the lakeside area is vividly colored.
■Location: Onumacho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun Click here for details and maps of "Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town)"
6. Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City): Surrounded by beautiful nature throughout the seasons
Its official name is "Our Lady of the Lighthouse Abbey of the Strict Observance Cistercian Order," and it was founded as the first male monastery in Japan. The "Trappist butter" and "Trappist cookies" made at this monastery are loved by many people and have become popular souvenirs representing Hokkaido and are popular all over the country. The shop also sells soft serve ice cream made with the popular Trappist butter.
■Location: 392 Mitsuishi, Hokuto City Click here for details and maps of "Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City)"
7. A popular walking spot in the Motomachi area: Former British Consulate in Hakodate (Hakodate City)
It 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. It is a spot where you can sit on chairs that have been recreated from the time and experience touching the furnishings. In the renovation carried out in 2023, a bright red chair, robe, and a replica of the tiara actually used by Queen Elizabeth were installed on the first floor, and a new "Princess Photo Space" was also established where you can pretend to be a princess and take photos.
■Opening hours: April to October 9:00 to 19:00 / November to March 9:00 to 17:00 ■Price: Adults 300 yen / Students, pupils, children and those aged 65 and over living in Hakodate city 150 yen ■Address: 33-14 Motomachi, Hakodate City For details and maps of "Former British Consulate in Hakodate (Port Opening Memorial Hall)" please click here.
8. Experience a foreign atmosphere while wearing fashionable clothing at the Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall (Hakodate City)
This is a historical building representing Hakodate that combines Japanese and Western elements. In addition to the impact of the overall exterior, the comprehensive exhibits inside the building explaining the history of the hall and the characteristics of the building, as well as the noble atmosphere of the detailed workmanship of the interior are captivating. The Costume Museum is also popular, where you can experience a foreign atmosphere by trying on gorgeous long dresses and fashionable costumes.
■ Business hours Public Hall: April to October Tuesday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00, Saturday to Monday 9:00 to 19:00 / November to March 9:00 to 17:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing Costume Hall: April to October 9:00 to 17:00 / November to March 10:00 to 16:00 *Reception closes 1 hour before closing ■Price ・Public Hall Adults 300 yen / Students 150 yen ・Costume Hall *Prices vary depending on costume course ■Address: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City Click here for details and map information on "Old Hakodate Ward Public Hall (Hakodate City)"
9. The spectacular geyser that shoots up to a height of over 15m at Shikabe Geyser Park Roadside Station and Footbath (Shikabe Town)
This complex allows you to enjoy the local specialties, seafood, and hot springs of Shikabe Town. It also features the Geyser Park, where you can enjoy natural geysers and foot baths, which are rare even in Japan, and the Shikabe Food and Delicious Food Museum, where you can enjoy Shikabe cuisine. While soothing your fatigue in a foot bath, you can watch the spectacular spectacle of the geysers erupting.
■Business hours: March 20th to November 9:00-17:00 / December to March 19th Monday to Thursday 10:00-15:00, Friday to Sunday and public holidays 10:00-17:00 *May 26th (Monday) to June 1st (Sunday): Reduced hours ■Price: Foot bath and geyser area admission: Adults 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen / Preschoolers free ■Location: 18-1 Shikabe, Shikabe-cho, Kayabe-gun Click here for details and maps of "Shikabe Geyser Park Roadside Station/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
A botanical garden with 300 kinds of tropical plants. The most popular attraction is the "Monkey Mountain Hot Springs" which is only open from December to May. You can see the adorable monkeys bathing in the hot springs at the outdoor facility. There is also a covered foot bath facility that uses the source of Yunokawa Onsen, which visitors can use freely, and a "Water Plaza" where you can enjoy splashing around in the water.
■Opening hours: April to October 9:30 to 18:00 / November to March 9:30 to 16:30 *Monkey hot spring bathing: usually from December 1st until Golden Week in May of the following year ■Admission fee: Adults 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen ■Address: 3-1-15 Yukawacho, Hakodate City Click here for details and maps of "Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City)"
*All information listed is current as of May 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.
