Mt. Hakodate looked very atmospheric when viewed from Hakodate Park.
Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
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Bite into soul food! Lucky Pierrot's Chinese Chicken Burger
If you go to Hakodate, you should definitely stop by Lucky Pierrot!
Each Lucky Pierrot store in Hakodate City has its own theme or concept, which is so unique that you will never forget it once you see it. The theme of the Jujigai Ginza store that I visited was Christmas all year round! I happened to be wearing a red sweater, so it looked a bit like Christmas, but this is a spring story (lol).
The burger is very delicious. The chicken is soft and seasoned with a sweet and salty flavor, and the mayonnaise is chicken nanban style, and the lettuce is plentiful and voluminous. Lucky Pierrot has become a tourist attraction, so to speak. There are many Lucky Pierrot burgers in Hakodate City, so it's easy to stop by.
We visited the hamburger shop "Lucky Pierrot" in Hakodate.
After climbing up the spectacular staircase...
The store is in Christmas mode. The Jujigai Ginza store has a Christmas theme that everyone loves all year round.
Merry Christmas! (It's April. LOL)
A fragrant sesame bun, creamy mayonnaise, plenty of lettuce, and chicken overflowing from the inside. "Chinese Chicken Burger"
The deep-fried chicken is soaked in a sweet and salty sauce and then sandwiched in a large sandwich. It is usually wrapped in paper, but this time it was served on a plate for the photo.
The fried chicken is the main ingredient, and it's tender and juicy with a perfect balance of flavors.
This is the most popular menu item, affectionately known as "Rappi's Chai Chicken." No wonder!!!
The exterior is eye-catching. Each store has a different concept.
Hakodate Kogeisha: A select shop for Hokkaido crafts
An old building near the Jujigai tram stop. I was curious so I went in and discovered that it was Hakodate Kougeisha, a store selling a variety of pottery and other handmade goods that evoke the region.
Originally the Umezu Shoten liquor wholesaler, Umezu Fukujiro was a successful businessman who sold a variety of food and miscellaneous goods here. Currently, the first floor is a store, with plans to open a cafe in the future. The second floor has Western-style rooms and tatami rooms, and is used as a center for art and culture, hosting tea ceremonies and concerts.
A retro building in front of the Jujigai tram stop. This is the former Umezu store, which was built in the early Showa period after a major fire. It is now a select shop that displays crafts, woodwork, and more, known as "Hakodate Kogeisha."
The exterior looked like it was made of concrete, but once inside, it was completely made of wood! It's a sturdy structure that has remained standing for over 80 years.
From crafts to accessories and miscellaneous goods, the store offers a tasteful selection of products, mainly from Hokkaido artists, selected from all over the country.
Fabric accessories dyed with squid ink are typical of Hakodate. You can find great souvenirs here.
The sunroom facing the courtyard will soon be open as a cafe. It looks like it will be a pleasant space filled with sunlight.
On the second floor, there is a museum and rental space that displays the history and achievements of the former Umezu Shoten.
A Japanese-style room where tea ceremonies are held. The expressive sliding doors are made of "shike silk". At first glance they look natural and unassuming, but they are high-quality sliding doors covered in silk. By the way, currently only one company in Toyama Prefecture produces shike silk as a traditional fabric, making it extremely valuable.
Carvings on the transom of a Shoin study room. Mt. Fuji, perhaps?
The entrance is a double porch, typical of snowy regions. Its splendid structure represents the prosperity of the Umezu family, who made their fortune in one generation.
As you can see from the outside, it is an intricately designed structure with rounded curves. We were shown every nook and cranny, and it was a very satisfying tour of the building.
Best value for money! Solo sukiyaki dinner at the sukiyaki restaurant "Asari Honten"
Some people may choose to have fresh seafood for dinner when they come to Hakodate. However, I choose meat.
We visited "Asari Honten", run by a butcher, and enjoyed sukiyaki made with the finest A5-ranked female Saga beef. As it is run directly by a butcher, the prices are surprisingly reasonable. All sukiyaki is carefully prepared by waitresses in private rooms. All-inclusive is just 4,300 yen. The way it is prepared is also unique, with plenty of chicken stock poured over it and simmered like a hotpot. Everything about the sukiyaki, from the vegetables that have absorbed the concentrated flavor to the shirataki, is impressive, and it is one that can only be enjoyed here.
Asari Main Store, located near Takaramachi tram stop.
A butcher shop representing Hakodate. It is always packed with customers.
In the evening, you can enjoy the luxury of "sukiyaki by yourself in a private room" at the sukiyaki restaurant Asari next door!
All meals are prepared by waitresses in private rooms. Service charges and consumption tax are all included in the price. Great value for money.
And now, the star of the day. Saga beef A5 rank female sirloin. This isn't heavy at all!
Let's get started right away. Let's slowly let the beef fat soak into the pot...
Then we put the vegetables on top. It's a bit unusual to have bamboo shoots. Other ingredients include onions, shiitake mushrooms, mitsuba, and grilled tofu. The shirataki from "Hakodate Tsuchiya" has a fluffy texture and is thin, with a clear, delicious taste without any odor, so we couldn't help but ask about it.
The fat melts slowly just at room temperature, a sign of high-quality meat with a low melting point.
Gently lay a red carpet of meat on top of the vegetables...
Pour plenty of chicken broth on top.
Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil. Remove the meat when it is still slightly reddish and dip it in the egg.
It was so delicious that I ran out of rice towards the end.
The individual identification number of the meat of the day. Only at a butcher's shop can you eat the best meat of the day at a low price.
All the way down to the last ice cream was delicious!
"When you come to Hakodate, try Asari meat!" That's the feeling I want to spread from now on.
Hakodate Park is home to the retro children's amusement park Kodomo no Kuni and the beautiful former Hakodate City Library.
Hakodate Park, located close to the Aoyagicho tram stop, is a popular park among local residents, with attractions such as Kodomo no Kuni, which is filled with play equipment for children, and a mini zoo.
However, what we would also like tourists to see from here is the Mount Hakodate Ropeway. On a clear day, you can see the ropeway clearly moving against the blue sky.
There are also the oldest regional museums in Japan, the "Old Hakodate Museum No. 1 and No. 2," and the "Old Municipal Hakodate Library," built at the beginning of the Showa era. The red-roofed buildings standing in the green park have a very atmospheric feel, and are sure to be a soothing spot not only for architecture lovers but also for those on unplanned trips.
During our trip, we stopped off to take a break at Hakodate Park, and it was even better than we'd imagined!
It's a great spot to relax and get a beautiful view of Mt. Hakodate.
There is a small amusement park called Kodomo no Kuni here, and it also has the "oldest" Ferris wheel in Japan. It's cute, but a little scary to ride in a different way.
"Old Hakodate Museum No. 1." The star mark makes it clear at a glance that it was built by the Hokkaido Development Commission. Built in 1879, it is one of the oldest museums in Japan.
The entrance hall has a triangular roof.
This is the "Old Hakodate Museum No. 2." It is said to have exhibited the lives and culture of the indigenous Ainu people. It was built in 1884, five years after No. 1. It gives the impression that this was a turning point in Hokkaido's move towards modernization.
"Hakodate City Library." It was under construction. It has been reinforced and is now used as a library storehouse.
The entrance with its rounded pillars and arches is very tasteful.
Enjoy some delicious pudding near the Yachigashira tram stop.
From Hakodate Park, you can walk or take the tram for a short distance. After a few minutes from Yachigashira tram stop, you'll arrive at Cafe Classic, where you can enjoy beautiful, rich baked pudding.
As soon as you enter, you'll be enveloped in the restaurant's relaxed atmosphere.
A classic old-fashioned pudding. It was firm and firm, with plenty of bitter and fragrant caramel.
Cafe Classic offers a relaxing and quality time.
It is just a short walk from Yachigashira Station towards Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine. It is so inconspicuous that you might easily miss it.
Put a spoon into the classic pudding. Firm and rich, with bitter caramel.
The iced chai was also carefully made.
Look for the clean white and blue building.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
