Hakodate

Travel Guide

Hakodate showing heritage elements and a sunset
Hakodate showing a city, night scenes and landscape views
Hakodate showing street scenes and a sunset
Hakodate featuring street scenes and snow as well as a small group of people
Hakodate featuring food

This large city on Japan’s northernmost island has a medley of architectural styles, spectacular nature and some of the freshest seafood in the country.

Hakodate is one of the largest cities on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Visit this waterfront city to enjoy stunning views, fresh seafood and a variety of cultural attractions. Hakodate was among the first Japanese harbor cities to open up to international trade following the Edo Period’s self-imposed national isolation from 1615 to 1868. Due to this, the island exhibits significant overseas influence in its architecture and culture.

Stroll through Motomachi, the former residential district of Hakodate’s foreign population. This slice of Europe features a Russian Orthodox Church and the Old British Consulate. Fort Goryokaku, a Western-style citadel in the shape of a star, is one of Hakodate’s most remarkable attractions. It was built at the end of the Edo Period to defend the city against the threat of Western imperialism. By 1910, the fort had lost its military importance and was converted into a public park.

Over a thousand cherry trees line Fort Goryokaku’s moats. Visit in early May to see the blossoms flowering. The Former Magistrate Office sits at the center of the fort. Although the original office was destroyed after the fall of the shogunate, the city meticulously built a reconstruction. To see a bird’s eye view of Fort Goryokaku, ascend to the observation deck of the adjacent Goryokaku Tower.

Make the half-hour trip outside the city to Onuma Park. This Quasi-National Park surrounds Onuma Lake and Konuma Lake. Hike or ride along the lakes’ shorelines on a well-maintained network of trails. Take a boat out to go fishing or sightseeing. The expansive Onuma Lake has 126 islands to explore. The dormant volcano Mount Komagatake serves as the park’s majestic backdrop.

Although Hokkaido is the second largest of Japan’s four primary islands, it is also the least developed. Winters are very cold and snowy, while summers are sunny but mild. Every season, visitors flock to Hokkaido to go skiing, hiking and camping. You can easily reach most of the island’s natural attractions from Hakodate.

Where to stay in Hakodate

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden

Yunokawacho

While you're in Yunokawacho, take in top sights like Yunokawa Onsen or Yunokawa Hot Spring, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Yunokawa-Onsen Station or Yunokawa Station.

Yunokawacho
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Motomachi

5/5(3 area reviews)

Discover Motomachi, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Motomachi include Motomachi Catholic Church and Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Suehirochō Station.

Motomachi
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Bay Area

If you're spending some time in Bay Area, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse and Hakodate Takadaya Kahei Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Bay Area
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Shinkawachō

Even though there aren't top sights in Shinkawachō, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Morning Market. Jump on the metro at Chitose Station to see more of the city.

Shinkawachō
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Kikyō

Even though there aren't top sights in Kikyō, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Hakodate Kikyo Takadai Park Golf Course. Jump on the metro at Kikyō Station to see more of the city.

Kikyō

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