For those who arrive in Hakodate in the afternoon, or those who want to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, a Hakodate specialty, before starting sightseeing in the afternoon, be sure to use this article as a reference and get active in the afternoon before enjoying sightseeing.
A half-day itinerary for a tour of Hakodate, Hokkaido
If you have some spare time, here are some recommended spots to stop by!
14:00 Head to Goryokaku, a classic spot where you can see cherry blossoms in spring and illuminations in winter
Goryokaku is a star-shaped castle built in Hakodate at the end of the Edo period. From the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower, you can see the star-shaped Goryokaku, Hakodate city, and Mt. Hakodate, and from the Hakodate Magistrate's Office, you can see what the area was like at the time, including the development of Ezo and diplomacy.
In spring, cherry blossoms spread across the entire castle grounds, and in winter, the light-up event "Hoshi no Yume" is held, lighting up Hakodate in the winter with star-shaped lights.
Goryokaku
address | : | 44 Goryokakucho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido |
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phone | : | 0138-40-3605 |
Opening hours | : | Always *The following times apply for the inner sanctum area (inside the moat) [April to October] 5:00 to 19:00 [November to March] 5:00 to 18:00 |
access | : | 15 minutes walk from the Goryokaku Park tram stop |
web | : | https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/ (Goryokaku Tower) |
Travel time | : | Approximately 1 hour |
Approximately 30 minutes by train and on foot
15:30 Souvenir hunting at Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse
One of Hakodate's most famous attractions is the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, built in the Meiji era. Inside the retro brick building, you'll find a collection of shops selling sweets, local confectioneries, accessories, miscellaneous goods, and more, welcoming many visitors to Hakodate. It's the perfect spot to find souvenirs.
Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse
address | : | 14-12 Suehirocho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido (Kanamori Shipping Co., Ltd.) |
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phone | : | 0138-27-5530 |
business hours | : | 9:30~19:00 *Please check the restaurant's opening hours on the website |
Closed Day | : | Open daily |
access | : | 5 minutes walk from the tram stop "Jujigai" |
web | : | https://hakodate-kanemori.com/ |
Travel time | : | Approximately 1 hour |
Approximately 15 minutes on foot
16:45 Visit the Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall, a National Important Cultural Property
The Old Hakodate Public Hall, with its striking blue-gray and yellow exterior, is very popular among tourists. With an excellent architectural design that combines Japanese and Western elements, and with the well-preserved furniture inside, the two-story wooden main building and the annex that serves as the caretaker's office were designated as Important Cultural Properties by the government in 1974 (Showa 49), and are one of Hakodate's precious assets.
From March to December, the "Haikara Costume Museum" is open, where you can try on gorgeous long dresses and other clothing.
Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall
address | : | 11-13 Motomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido |
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phone | : | 0138-22-1001 |
Opening hours | : | [Summer (April 1st to October 31st)] Tuesday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00, Saturday to Monday 9:00 to 19:00 [Winter (November 1st to March 31st)] 9:00〜17:00 *Last admission is 30 minutes before the end of exhibition hours. |
closing day | : | Year-end and New Year holidays (December 31st to January 3rd), and some days when the library is closed for internal organization |
Fee | : | Adults: 300 yen, students and children: 150 yen, preschoolers: free |
access | : | 7 minutes walk from Suehirocho tram stop |
web | : | https://hakodate-kokaido.jp/ |
Travel time | : | Approximately 30 minutes |
Approximately 5 minutes on foot
17:20 Enjoy the view of "Hachimanzaka" famous as a filming location for commercials and movies
If you follow the road past the waterfront lined with red brick warehouses, you will come to "Hachimanzaka" which will lead you to Mount Hakodate. It is often used as a filming location for commercials and movies, and is a popular viewing spot along with the night view from Mount Hakodate.
In summer, the contrast between the blue sky and the vibrant colors of the trees lining the streets is captivating, and in winter, the stone pavement is beautifully lit up with the "Hakodate Illumination." You can enjoy different scenes depending on the season and time.
Hachimanzaka
address | : | Suehirocho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido |
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access | : | 1 minute walk from the Suehirocho tram stop |
Travel time | : | Approximately 20 minutes |
Approximately 15 minutes on foot
17:45 Head to the summit on the "Mt. Hakodate Ropeway"
The Mount Hakodate Ropeway connects the base station and summit station in 3 minutes. It was renovated in November 2014, and the view from the large glass windows is outstanding.
As you gain altitude, you can enjoy the townscape and churches at the foot of the mountain, the Tsugaru Strait, Hakodate Port, and more from different angles. Why not enjoy the unique view that can only be seen from the ropeway, which is a little different from the view from the mountaintop?
Mount Hakodate Ropeway
address | : | 19-7 Motomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido |
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phone | : | 0138-23-3105 |
business hours | : | 10:00~22:00 *From July 16, 2022 *Service may be suspended in the event of bad weather. |
Closed Day | : | May be suspended due to regular inspections |
Fee | : | Adults (junior high school students and above) round trip 1,500 yen, children round trip 700 yen *Various discounts available for groups, etc. |
access | : | 10 minutes walk from the tram stop "Jujigai" |
web | : | https://334.co.jp/ |
Travel time | : | Approximately 15 minutes |
18:00 End the day with a beautiful night view of Mount Hakodate
When talking about Hakodate, the night view from Mount Hakodate, said to be the best in the world, is a must. It has also been highly praised in the international tourist guidebook Michelin Green Guide Japan, and has been listed as a "three-star" view that is worth making the effort to go and see.
From the observation deck at the summit, you can see beautiful views that change depending on the season and time of day. Experience the spectacular view, also known as the "million dollar night view."
Mount Hakodate
address | : | Mount Hakodate, Hakodate, Hokkaido |
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phone | : | 0138-27-3130 |
Travel time | : | Approximately 1 hour |
If you have some spare time, here are some recommended spots to stop by!
*Some content was updated on July 12, 2022.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.