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[2025 Edition] Top 10 Recommended Driving Spots Near Hakodate! Experience a Retro Port Town and Grand Nature
The area around Hakodate is filled with countless spots that will make you want to visit again and again, from the retro, exotic townscape unique to a port city to fresh seafood and historical sites! This time, we'll introduce our recommended spots in the Hakodate area.
- The "Million-Dollar Night View" Overlooking Hakodate City from Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City)
- A Famous Cherry Blossom Spot for History Buffs: Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City)
- A Treasure Trove of Hakodate's Best Gourmet and Souvenirs: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (Hakodate City)
- The Last Castle Built in Japan: Matsumae Castle & Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town)
- Stroll Through Grand Nature and a Marsh with Over 100 Islands: Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town)
- Surrounded by Beautiful Nature in Every Season: Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City)
- A Classic Strolling Spot in the Motomachi Area: Former British Consulate of Hakodate (Port Memorial Hall) (Hakodate City)
- Experience an Exotic Atmosphere in a Stylish Gown: Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward (Hakodate City)
- A Powerful Geyser Spraying Water Over 15 Meters High: Michi-no-Eki Shikabe Kanketsusen Park & Footbath (Shikabe Town)
- Popular for Tropical Plants in Summer and Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs in Winter: Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City)
1. The "Million-Dollar Night View" Overlooking Hakodate City from Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City)
This is a classic Hakodate sightseeing spot offering a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. The view, created by the unique terrain flanked by the sea on both sides, and the sparkling nightscape in the crisp air are simply breathtaking. There is a restaurant on the second floor of the observatory and a tea lounge on the third, where you can enjoy a meal and the stunning scenery at a leisurely pace. While you can reach the observatory by mountain bus or private car, the view from the ropeway that runs from the base to the summit is not to be missed.
■Hours: Ropeway April 20 (Sun) - September 30 (Tue) 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM / October 1 (Wed) - April 19 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
■Fee: Ropeway Round Trip: Junior high school students and older 1,800 yen / Children 900 yen
*Free for children 2 and under. For preschoolers aged 3 to elementary school, one child is free per paying adult; a child's fee applies from the second child onwards.
■Location: Mount Hakodate, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Mount Hakodate Observatory (Hakodate City)"
2. A Famous Cherry Blossom Spot for History Buffs: Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City)
The star-shaped fortress, Goryokaku Fort, was the final stronghold for the former shogunate army, led by Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo, during the Battle of Hakodate, the last battle of the Boshin War. Today, it is beloved as Goryokaku Park, and the reconstructed Hakodate Magistrate's Office is also a must-see. The 1,800-meter outer perimeter of the moat serves as a promenade, adorned with cherry blossoms in spring, and snow on the frozen moat and illuminations in winter.
■Hours
・Goryokaku Park (inside the fort): April-October 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM / November-March 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM
・Hakodate Magistrate's Office: April-October 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / November-March 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Last admission 15 minutes before closing
■Fee: Park entry is free
・Hakodate Magistrate's Office: Adults 500 yen / Students (university, high school, elementary) 250 yen / Preschoolers Free
■Location: 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Goryokaku Park (Hakodate City)"
3. A Treasure Trove of Hakodate's Best Gourmet and Souvenirs: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (Hakodate City)
The red brick warehouses lining the bay area create a romantic atmosphere. The seven buildings operating as the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse are divided into themes: "BAY HAKODATE," "Kanemori Youbutsukan (Western Goods Museum)," "Hakodate History Plaza," and "Kanemori Hall," housing a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops. Not only can you enjoy shopping and dining, but various events are held throughout the seasons, keeping the area bustling with activity.
■Hours
・Retail Shops: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
・Hakodate Beer Hall: Weekdays 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM / Weekends & Holidays 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM *Last order at 9:00 PM
■Location: 13-9 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (Hakodate City)"
4. The Last Castle Built in Japan: Matsumae Castle & Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town)
Matsumae Castle, officially known as Fukuyama Castle, was the last traditional Japanese castle to be built. It has a rich history, including being attacked by Shinsengumi vice-commander Hijikata Toshizo during the Boshin War from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era. It has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Castles" and a "Hokkaido Heritage" site. After the original wooden keep was lost to fire, a reinforced concrete reconstruction was completed and opened as the Matsumae Castle Museum. It is also a popular spot for cherry blossoms in the spring, creating a stunning contrast with the castle.
■Hours: April 10 (Fri) - December 10 (Thu) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
■Fee: High school students and older 360 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 240 yen / Toddlers Free
■Location: 144 Matsushiro, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Matsumae Castle & Matsumae Castle Museum (Matsumae Town)"
5. Stroll Through Grand Nature and a Marsh with Over 100 Islands: Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town)
The area around Lake Onuma is one of Japan's oldest nature parks, where nature is protected and park facilities have been developed as a Hokkaido Prefectural Park. A total of 126 large and small islands float in the three lakes, including Lake Onuma. The surrounding trees, water lilies, and aquatic plants on the lake's surface display the beauty of nature in all four seasons throughout the year. Especially during the autumn foliage season, you can enjoy a picturesque landscape as the entire lakeside is vividly colored.
■Location: Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Onuma Quasi-National Park (Nanae Town)"
6. Surrounded by Beautiful Nature in Every Season: Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City)
Its official name is "Our Lady of the Lighthouse Abbey, Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance," and it was founded as the first men's monastery in Japan. The "Trappist butter" and "Trappist cookies" made at this monastery are beloved by many and have become famous souvenirs representing Hokkaido nationwide. The gift shop also sells soft-serve ice cream made with their popular Trappist butter.
■Location: 392 Mitsuishi, Hokuto City
Click here for details and map information for "Trappist Monastery (Hokuto City)"
7. A Classic Strolling Spot in the Motomachi Area: Former British Consulate of Hakodate (Port Memorial Hall) (Hakodate City)
Used as the British Consulate until 1934, it was renovated in 1992 and opened to the public as the Port Memorial Hall. It's a spot where you can experience the past by sitting in replica chairs and touching the furnishings of the era. A renewal in 2023 added a "Princess Photo Space" on the first floor, featuring bright red chairs, a robe, and a replica of a tiara actually used by Queen Elizabeth, allowing visitors to take photos as if they were royalty.
■Hours: April-October 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM / November-March 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■Fee: Adults 300 yen / Students and residents of Hakodate City aged 65+ 150 yen
■Location: 33-14 Motomachi, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Former British Consulate of Hakodate (Port Memorial Hall) (Hakodate City)"
8. Experience an Exotic Atmosphere in a Stylish Gown: Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward (Hakodate City)
This is a representative historical building of Hakodate, blending Japanese and Western elements. The overall impact of the exterior is impressive, as are the detailed exhibits inside that explain the history and architectural features of the Public Hall. You'll be captivated by the noble atmosphere created by the intricate details of the interior. The popular "Costume Hall" allows you to experience an exotic mood by wearing glamorous long dresses and stylish outfits.
■Hours
・Public Hall: April-October Tue-Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat-Mon 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM / November-March 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
・Costume Hall: April-October 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM / November-March 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM *Registration closes 1 hour before closing
■Fee
・Public Hall: Adults 300 yen / Students 150 yen
・Costume Hall: *Fees vary depending on the costume course
■Location: 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward (Hakodate City)"
9. A Powerful Geyser Spraying Water Over 15 Meters High: Michi-no-Eki Shikabe Kanketsusen Park & Footbath (Shikabe Town)
This is a multi-purpose facility where you can enjoy Shikabe Town's specialty products, seafood, and hot springs. It features the "Kanketsusen Park," where you can enjoy a rare natural geyser and a footbath, and the "Shikabe Food and Delicacies Hall," where you can savor the local cuisine. You can watch the powerful sight of the geyser erupting while soothing your tired feet in the footbath.
■Hours: March 20 - November 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM / December - March 19 Mon-Thu 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Fri-Sun & Holidays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*May 26 (Mon) - June 1 (Sun): Reduced hours
■Fee: Park admission for footbath & geyser area: Adults 300 yen / Elementary & junior high school students 200 yen / Preschoolers Free
■Location: 18-1 Shikabe, Shikabe-cho, Kayabe-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Michi-no-Eki Shikabe Kanketsusen Park & Footbath (Shikabe Town)"
10. Popular for Tropical Plants in Summer and Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs in Winter: Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City)
This botanical garden is home to 300 species of tropical plants. A particularly popular attraction is the "Monkey Mountain Hot Spring," available only during the winter from December to May. You can see the adorable sight of monkeys soaking in the outdoor hot spring. There is also a covered footbath facility using water from the Yunokawa Onsen source, which visitors can use freely, and a "Water Plaza" for water play.
■Hours: April-October 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM / November-March 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
*Monkeys bathing in the hot spring: Annually from December 1 to Golden Week in May of the following year
■Fee: Adults 300 yen / Elementary & junior high school students 100 yen
■Location: 3-1-15 Yunokawa-cho, Hakodate City
Click here for details and map information for "Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Hakodate City)"
*All information is current as of May 2025.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.
