Hakodate Ultimate Guide - Hokkaido's Southern Port City

Must See

Icons & Landmarks

Castle ruins, architectural wonders, and centuries of local heritage.

Landmarks

Goryokaku Fort

Star-shaped Western-style fort built in 1864. Japan's first Western-style fortification. Beautiful from the observation tower. Cherry blossoms fill the moat in spring. Site of the last battle of the Boshin War.

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Landmarks

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

Stunning blue-and-yellow Western-style building from 1910. One of Hakodate's most photographed structures. Dress up in Victorian costumes for photos inside. Important Cultural Property.

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Landmarks

Hakodate Orthodox Church

Beautiful Russian Orthodox church with distinctive onion-shaped dome. The bell sound is designated an important soundscape of Japan. White walls against blue sky are iconic.

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Landmarks

Trappistine Convent

Working convent of Trappistine nuns. Japan's first women's monastery (1898). Beautiful European-style building and gardens. Their handmade cookies and butter candies are famous souvenirs.

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Landmarks

Hachiman-zaka Slope

Hakodate's most famous slope. A straight road running from Motomachi hillside down to the port. The view of the sea framed between buildings is on every postcard. Beautiful with snow.

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Landmarks

Kanemori Chapel

Small chapel inside the red brick warehouse complex. Popular for weddings. The stained glass and brick interior create an intimate atmosphere. Free to look inside.

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Sacred Hakodate

Temples & Shrines

Gold-leafed mausoleums, national treasure shrines, and mountain temples.

Culture & History

Yunokawa Shrine

Ancient shrine in the hot spring district believed to bless visitors with healing. Cherry blossoms in spring frame the torii gate. Quiet contrast to the bustling onsen area.

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Culture & History

Hakodate Goryokaku Fort

Star-shaped Western-style fort, the last battle of the samurai age happened here in 1869. The tower observation deck gives the perfect...

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Explore

Districts & Streets

Zelkova-lined avenues, lively arcades, and a lively local nightlife scene.

Districts

Motomachi District

Hillside neighborhood with Western-style buildings from the port-opening era. Russian, British, and Chinese influences visible in architecture. Charming cobblestone streets and bay views.

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Shopping

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses

Converted 19th-century warehouses along the waterfront. Restaurants, craft shops, beer hall, and a small chapel. Beautiful at night when the brick buildings are illuminated.

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Districts

Hakodate Bay Area

Waterfront promenade along the harbor. Former port warehouses now housing restaurants and shops. The view of the bay with Mount Hakodate behind is classic Hakodate.

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Nightlife

Daimon Yokocho

Outdoor food stall village near the station. 26 tiny shacks serving ramen, yakitori, sushi, and drinks. Atmospheric with steam rising and lanterns glowing. Open late.

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Nightlife

Bar Sharl

Classic cocktail bar with a maritime atmosphere. Dark wood interior, jazz music, and expertly crafted drinks. The bartender's knowledge of whisky is impressive.

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Shopping

Nishi Hatoba (West Wharf)

Waterfront complex adjacent to the red brick warehouses. Seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and a gelato shop using local milk. The sunset views from here are beautiful.

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Nightlife

Hakodate Station Area Izakaya

Dense cluster of izakayas and small bars around Hakodate Station. Fresh seafood at incredibly reasonable prices. Much cheaper than the tourist spots. Where locals eat and drink.

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Shopping

Hakodate Arena Area

Modern shopping and entertainment district near Yunokawa. Movie theaters, large retail stores, and family restaurants. Where locals go for everyday shopping.

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Shopping

Tokiwa Zakka Store

Artisan craft shop in the bay area selling locally made glasswork, pottery, and Ainu-inspired crafts. Curated selection of northern Japanese craftsmanship. Unique souvenirs.

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Local Eats

Local Food & Dining

Hakodate is packed with standout local eats. Come hungry.

Shopping

Hakodate Morning Market (Asaichi)

Massive seafood market right next to JR Hakodate Station. Over 250 stalls selling fresh crab, uni, ikura, and squid. Open 5am-2pm. The Donburi Yokocho alley has the best seafood rice bowls.

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Food & Drink

Ikura Don (Salmon Roe Bowl)

Hakodate's iconic breakfast. A bowl of warm rice topped with glistening salmon roe. The freshness is unmatched. Several competing shops in the morning market, all excellent.

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Food & Drink

Uni Don (Sea Urchin Bowl)

Fresh Hokkaido uni over rice. Creamy, sweet, and nothing like the uni you get elsewhere. Seasonal availability (June-August is peak). Some shops let you pick your own live uni.

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Food & Drink

Lucky Pierrot (Hakodate Burger)

Hakodate's beloved local burger chain. The Chinese Chicken Burger is the signature dish. Wildly decorated interiors, each location with a different theme. Cult following.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Ramen

Hakodate-style ramen features a clear, light salt-based (shio) broth. Clean and delicate compared to miso or tonkotsu. Multiple excellent shops near the station and bay area.

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Food & Drink

Sushi Kaisen Mikatsu

Premium sushi using fish straight from Hakodate port. Counter seating for the full experience. The toro and uni nigiri are exceptional. Reservation recommended for dinner.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Seafood BBQ

DIY charcoal grilling at seafood BBQ restaurants. Choose your own crab legs, scallops, corn, and squid from coolers and grill them yourself. Several restaurants near the morning market.

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Food & Drink

Hasegawa Store Yakitori Bento

Beloved convenience store chain unique to Hakodate. Famous for their yakitori bento (grilled pork on a stick over rice). Locals debate the best branch. An institution since 1978.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Salt Ramen (Ajisai)

One of the most famous shio ramen shops. Crystal-clear golden broth that took decades to perfect. Simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying. Lines form before opening.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Dairy (Soft Serve)

Hokkaido is famous for dairy and Hakodate's soft serve ice cream is some of the best. Rich, creamy, made with local milk. Available at multiple stands near the bay area.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Nishin Soba

Buckwheat soba noodles topped with sweet simmered herring. A traditional Hokkaido comfort food. The herring melts apart and flavors the broth. Available at soba shops citywide.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Ramen Aji no Ichimon

Hidden gem salt ramen shop near the station area. Rich but clear broth with perfect thin noodles. Less famous than Ajisai but locals rate it equally high. Unpretentious and excellent.

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Food & Drink

Yakiniquest BBQ

Yakiniku restaurant specializing in lamb and Hokkaido beef. Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) is the highlight. The dome-shaped grill gives meat a perfect char. Hokkaido beer on tap.

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Food & Drink

Genghis Khan (Jingisukan Lamb)

Hokkaido's signature grilled lamb dish. Thin slices of lamb and vegetables grilled on a dome-shaped iron plate. The fat drains away for a lighter taste. Multiple restaurants citywide.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Dim Sum (Chinese Quarter)

Small Chinese quarter near the waterfront with dim sum restaurants. Hakodate had a historic Chinatown alongside its Western and Russian quarters. Steamed buns and noodles.

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Shopping

Hakodate Crab Market

Dedicated crab stalls in and around the morning market. King crab legs, snow crab, and hairy crab. Some stalls let you pick a live crab and have it cooked on the spot.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Asaichi Squid Ikizukuri

Whole squid served alive and translucent at the morning market restaurants. The chef slices it in front of you. The texture is incredibly different from regular squid sashimi.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Lucky Pierrot Burger

Hakodate's beloved local burger chain, each location has a different whimsical theme. The Chinese Chicken Burger is the #1 seller....

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Cafe

Cafe D'Ici

Charming French-style cafe in a Western-style building in Motomachi. Pastries, coffee, and light meals. The bay view from the terrace is...

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Ramen

Hakodate Shio Ramen

Clear salt-based ramen. Hakodate specialty

Ramen

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Mountains & Bay

Nature & Scenic Views

Matsushima Bay, volcanic crater lakes, and fox-filled mountains.

Nature & Outdoors

Cape Tachimachi

Dramatic coastal cliff viewpoint at the southern tip of Hakodate. Views of the Tsugaru Strait and on clear days, the Shimokita Peninsula of Honshu. Walking trails through coastal forest.

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Nature & Outdoors

Cape Esanmisaki

Wild cape at the eastern tip of the Oshima Peninsula. Active volcanic area with steaming fumaroles. Azalea fields bloom bright red in June. Dramatic, raw Hokkaido coastline. 1 hour from Hakodate.

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Nature & Outdoors

Hakodate Sunset from Bay Area

The bay area waterfront faces west, making it one of the best sunset viewing spots. The sky turns orange and pink behind the mountains across the strait. Free and stunning.

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Nature & Outdoors

Motomachi Park

Small park in the hilltop historic district. Benches with views over the harbor. Surrounded by Western-style buildings. Popular resting spot while exploring Motomachi.

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Nature & Outdoors

Hakodate Park

Historic park at the base of Mount Hakodate. Opened in 1879 as one of Japan's first Western-style public parks. Cherry blossoms, a small zoo area, and playgrounds for families.

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Immerse Yourself

Experiences & Culture

Hot springs, whisky distilleries, festivals, and one-of-a-kind encounters.

Experiences

Live Squid Fishing

Fish your own squid from a tank with a small rod and hook. They prepare it as sashimi within seconds. The transparent flesh is so fresh it still moves on the plate.

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Landmarks

Mount Hakodate Night View

Certified as one of the world's top 3 night views. The city's hourglass shape glows between two bays. Ropeway to the summit takes 3 minutes. Go at sunset for time-lapse magic.

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Experiences

Hakodate Ropeway

Gondola to Mount Hakodate summit. 125-person capacity. The ascent offers panoramic views that change with each meter. Runs until 10pm. Combined tickets with other attractions available.

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Landmarks

Goryokaku Tower

107m observation tower with glass floors overlooking the star-shaped fort. The aerial view perfectly captures the pentagon shape. Exhibition on Hakodate's role in the Meiji Restoration.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Beer

Craft brewery in a converted warehouse on the bay. Four flagship beers brewed with Hakodate mountain spring water. The beer hall has harbor views and serves local food.

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Experiences

Yunokawa Onsen

Hakodate's hot spring district near the airport. Multiple ryokan with ocean-view baths. Some hotels have open-air rooftop baths overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. Monkeys bathing at the tropical botanical garden in winter.

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Tropical Botanical Garden (Monkey Onsen)

Experiences

Tropical Botanical Garden (Monkey Onsen)

Hot spring bathing monkeys from December to May. Japanese macaques soak in an outdoor hot spring pool. Less famous than Jigokudani but equally charming. Inside a botanical garden.

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Experiences

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Annual winter illumination festival from December 1 to Christmas. A massive Christmas tree floats in the bay. Fireworks every evening. The red brick warehouses glow with lights.

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Experiences

Hakodate Port Festival

August 1-5 festival with the famous Ika-odori (Squid Dance). Thousands of people dance through the streets doing the squid arm movements. Fireworks over the bay. Electric atmosphere.

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Experiences

Motomachi Churches Walking Route

Walking route connecting four historic churches and temples from different faiths within blocks of each other. Orthodox, Catholic, Episcopal, and Buddhist. Rare multicultural religious landscape.

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Culture & History

Old British Consulate

Restored 1913 British consulate building. Tea room serving English afternoon tea with scones. Small museum about Hakodate's port-opening history. Beautiful rose garden.

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Culture & History

Hakodate Museum of Art

Prefectural art museum featuring local and international artists. The building architecture is striking. Rotating exhibitions with a focus on Hokkaido and northern Japanese art.

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Experiences

Hakodate Tram

Vintage streetcar running through the city center. Flat fare, painless way to get between the station, bay area, and Motomachi. Some cars are beautifully retro.

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Culture & History

Jomon Archaeological Sites

UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric Jomon settlement sites. Ofune and Kakinoshima sites near Hakodate show 10000+ years of continuous habitation. Museum with artifacts and reconstructions.

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Attractions

Kaiyukan Aquarium Alternative

Small but charming aquarium focusing on northern sea life. Touch pools with sea cucumbers and starfish. The seal feeding show is popular with families.

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Experiences

Goryokaku Sakura Night Illumination

During cherry blossom season (late April to early May), the star fort is illuminated at night. 1600 cherry trees glow pink. The reflection in the moat doubles the effect. Free viewing.

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Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

Culture & History

Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

Covers the history of the Ainu people and other northern indigenous cultures. Artifacts, traditional clothing, and tools. Important for understanding Hokkaido's original inhabitants.

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Culture & History

Hakodate Meiji-kan

Former Hakodate Post Office built in 1911. Red brick building now housing a music box workshop and glass art studio. Make your own custom music box as a unique souvenir.

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Experiences

Hakodate Squid Dance Experience

Learn the famous Ika-Odori (Squid Dance) from local instructors. The dance mimics squid movements and is performed en masse during the Port Festival. Quirky and unforgettable.

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Culture & History

Five-Island Arctic Museum

Exhibits about the marine ecosystem of the Tsugaru Strait and northern seas. Interactive displays about fishing culture and the herring trade that built Hakodate's wealth.

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Culture & History

Hakodate Chinese Memorial Hall

Exhibition on the history of Chinese residents in Hakodate. The building architecture blends Chinese and Western styles. Complements the understanding of Hakodate's multicultural past.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Sake (Goryokaku Sake)

Local sake brewed with Hakodate mountain water. Tasting rooms near Goryokaku. The limited-edition seasonal brews sell out quickly. Pairs perfectly with seafood.

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Experiences

Hakodate Scallop Fishing Experience

Some tour operators offer scallop fishing in Hakodate Bay. Hand-pull scallops from the water and eat them grilled on the boat. Hokkaido scallops are some of the largest in Japan.

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Culture & History

Hakodate City Tram Museum

Small museum about the history of Hakodate's streetcar system. Vintage tram cars on display. Free or very cheap admission. Interest for transit enthusiasts.

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Experiences

Oku No Hosomichi Hakodate Route

Walking route inspired by Basho's famous poetry journey. Multiple haiku stones placed around Hakodate. A literary walk connecting natural and historic sites across the city.

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Food & Drink

Hakodate Wine

Winery using local Hokkaido grapes near Hakodate. Tasting room with views of Mount Komagatake. Hokkaido wines are increasingly recognized for quality. 30 min from Hakodate.

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Experiences

Hakodate Illumination (Winter)

Beyond the Christmas Fantasy, the bay area and Motomachi churches are illuminated throughout winter. The snow-covered Western buildings with warm lighting are magical.

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Experiences

Hakodate Fish Market Tuna Auction

Early morning tuna and seafood auction at the commercial port. Requires advance arrangement to observe. Raw energy of the fishing industry. Start before 5am.

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Beyond Hakodate

Day Trips

UNESCO temples, cliffside shrines, and some of Japan's best onsen towns.

Day Trips

Onuma Quasi-National Park

Lake park 30 min north of Hakodate. Mount Komagatake volcano reflected in the lake. Cycling, canoeing, and walking trails around 126 small islands. Beautiful autumn foliage.

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Day Trips

Esashi (Herring Town)

Historic herring fishing town 2.5 hours up the coast. Beautifully preserved Edo-era merchant houses. The Oiwake folk song was born here. Feels frozen in time.

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Day Trips

Matsumae

Japan's northernmost castle town. Matsumae Castle with 250 varieties of cherry trees. Peak bloom is late April to mid-May, later than anywhere else in Japan. 2 hours from Hakodate.

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Day Trips

Oshamanbe Onsen

Quiet seaside hot spring town between Hakodate and Niseko. Natural hot spring footbaths along the coast. Fresh scallops from Funka Bay. A peaceful detour. 1.5 hours from Hakodate.

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Day Trips

Shikabe Geyser Park

Natural geyser erupting every 10-12 minutes, shooting 15m into the air. Hot spring eggs cooked in the geothermal pools. Small park with foot baths. 1 hour from Hakodate.

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Day Trips

Shikanoshima Scenic Drive

Coastal road from Hakodate through small fishing villages to Onuma Park. Views of the Tsugaru Strait and Mount Komagatake. Stop at local seafood shacks along the way.

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HAKODATE

Icons & Landmarks

Goryokaku Fort

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

Hakodate Orthodox Church

Trappistine Convent

Hachiman-zaka Slope

Kanemori Chapel

Temples & Shrines

Yunokawa Shrine

Hakodate Goryokaku Fort

Districts & Streets

Motomachi District

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses

Hakodate Bay Area

Daimon Yokocho

Bar Sharl

Nishi Hatoba (West Wharf)

Hakodate Station Area Izakaya

Hakodate Arena Area

Tokiwa Zakka Store

Local Food & Dining

Hakodate Morning Market (Asaichi)

Ikura Don (Salmon Roe Bowl)

Uni Don (Sea Urchin Bowl)

Lucky Pierrot (Hakodate Burger)

Hakodate Ramen

Sushi Kaisen Mikatsu

Hakodate Seafood BBQ

Hasegawa Store Yakitori Bento

Hakodate Salt Ramen (Ajisai)

Hakodate Dairy (Soft Serve)

Hakodate Nishin Soba

Hakodate Ramen Aji no Ichimon

Yakiniquest BBQ

Genghis Khan (Jingisukan Lamb)

Hakodate Dim Sum (Chinese Quarter)

Hakodate Crab Market

Hakodate Asaichi Squid Ikizukuri

Hakodate Lucky Pierrot Burger

Cafe D'Ici

Hakodate Shio Ramen

Nature & Scenic Views

Cape Tachimachi

Cape Esanmisaki

Hakodate Sunset from Bay Area

Motomachi Park

Hakodate Park

Experiences & Culture

Live Squid Fishing

Mount Hakodate Night View

Hakodate Ropeway

Goryokaku Tower

Hakodate Beer

Yunokawa Onsen

Tropical Botanical Garden (Monkey Onsen)

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hakodate Port Festival

Motomachi Churches Walking Route

Old British Consulate

Hakodate Museum of Art

Hakodate Tram

Jomon Archaeological Sites

Kaiyukan Aquarium Alternative

Goryokaku Sakura Night Illumination

Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

Hakodate Meiji-kan

Hakodate Squid Dance Experience

Five-Island Arctic Museum

Hakodate Chinese Memorial Hall

Hakodate Sake (Goryokaku Sake)

Hakodate Scallop Fishing Experience

Hakodate City Tram Museum

Oku No Hosomichi Hakodate Route

Hakodate Wine

Hakodate Illumination (Winter)

Hakodate Fish Market Tuna Auction

Day Trips

Onuma Quasi-National Park

Esashi (Herring Town)