| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥4000 |
| Opening Hours | 18:00 - 3:00 Main store, Gojo store 11:30 - 23:30 Sanjo Store, Tanuki koji Store 11:30 - 23:00 Kitaichijo Store |
| Closed | Sundays : Main store, Gojo store |
| Contact | 011-3884-6210 Main store 011-561-1999 Gojo store 011-1219-8088 Sanjo Store 011-218-8700 Kitaichijo Store 011-200-9966 Tanuki koji Store |
| Notes | High end sushi store, no parking, credit card accepted, seating around 30 per store |
| Location / Getting There | Main store South 5 West 3. It's a 2 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Susukino Station on the Sapporo Namboku subway Line Sapporo City Chuo-ku Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome, N Grande Building 1F Gojo store South 5 West 4. It's a 2 minutes walk from Exit 5 of Susukino Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 4-chome, Minami 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido (facing south on 5-jo-dori) Sanjo Store South 3 West 4. 2 minutes walk from Susukino Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 〒060-0063Hokkaido Sapporo City Chuo-ku Minami 3-jo Nishi 4-chome Tosho 3.4 Building 1F Kitaichijo store West 3 North 2. 1 minute walk from Odori Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 〒060-0001 Kita 1 Jonishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Kita Ichijo Ekimae - dori Building 2F Tanukikoji store It's a 5 minute walk from Odori subway station. 〒060-0063 1F, Jalan Tanukikoji, 6-3-3 Minami 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
Sai Kaku is a small chain of restaurants in Sapporo and throughout the big cities of Japan. They are not like the sushi train restaurants with the sushi on a conveyer belt, but you order your sushi directly from the chef. Sai Kaku are on the higher end of sushi restaurants and for those traveling from abroad, they offer a fantastic Japanese dining experience. There are five Sai Kaku restaurants in Sapporo, all close to each other. There are two in Susukino, two in the heart of Sapporo and a fifth near Sapporo station.
These restaurants excel in sushi and in sake. The sushi is beautifully presented and arranged on a flat wooden board. Unlike other sushi restaurants, only one piece of sushi is served per order. It comes with a folded ginger garnish. This restaurant is more expensive then the sushi train style restaurants so be prepared. It is highly recommended to try some fine sake to go with your sushi. They have numerous bottles to choose from. Again, if you are looking for a fine dining experience, and enjoy sushi, look no further than Sai Kaku.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1500- ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | Nuts Cafe Nights 18:00 - 3:00 (Open until 5:00 on Fridays & Saturdays) Nuts Cafe Trip 11:00 - 12:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | Nuts Cafe Nights : 050-5834-4114 Nuts Cafe Trip : 050-5834-2996 |
| Notes | Late night bar and restaurant, smoking allowed, card accepted, seating + counter seating 40, good for small groups, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | There are two locations in Sapporo. One being in Susukino (the nightlife district), and the other being by Sapporo station. Susukino location is only a 4 minute walk south west from Susukino subway station and is on the ground floor and easy to find. The other store is a 2 minute walk from Sapporo station on the 8th floor, next to Kinokuniya book store. |
Nuts Cafe is a bar/restaurant that caters for late night dining and drinking. The main location is in Susukino (the night life district of Sapporo), plus there is another Nuts Cafe right by Sapporo station for a quieter style of dining. Nuts Cafe Nights has a lot of seating plus a bar counter which sits up to ten. This place is a good spot for small groups having a party or for couples on a date. The crowd here is usually quite young. What makes this place is unique is that some sections of the establishment are still ok to smoke in. The food menu has a huge range, plus at the bar, the drink menu is extensive.
If you like whiskeys, Nuts Cafe has a nice listing. And as a bonus, the friendly staff here are more than happy to offer their recommendations. You can enjoy some nice Japanese whiskeys here as well. For food, they have mainly western style dishes and it must be said, the food here is really good! They have thick steaks, hamburgers, pizzas and pastas just to name a few, plus if you have a celebration, Nuts Cafe will get you a cake to suit the occasion. For those who are looking for a party, you will need to make a reservation. This can be done on through Hot Pepper magazine, or click here.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Contact | 011-3884-6210 https://www.cafe-gram.com |
| Notes | Cafe & restaurant, parking for 8, no smoking |
| Location / Getting There | The cafe is located in central Hakodate near the harbor. The cafe is just a two minute walk from Jujigai subway station (4 stops from Hakodate station). For those with a car, there is a small parking spot out the front. 12-3 Suehirocho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0053 |
This restaurant is famous for its pancakes in the city of Hakodate. These fluffy three tiered pancakes are served throughout the day and a stacked to a considerable height on your plate! Due to the popularity of these pancakes tickets are usually needed to order. The premium pancakes are only for certain times during the day, and it can take a while for your order to come so be prepared. Once they do arrive, these are really good! There is also a large pancake cushion for a photo opportunity to remember your visit.
Besides the premium pancakes, they have some good lunches to enjoy. A bit of sweet and savory to go with your coffee. The lunches here include small pancakes served with thick bacon, avocado, eggs and a hamburger patty. The perfect brunch! There is also toast and cream. Side dishes include a healthier salad or soup. While in Hakodate, this is not a bad place to drop into. There is plenty of seating, so its a good for groups, and there is enough parking around the store. Interestingly, they have other stores in America.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 011-3822-6756 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the southern part of Hakodate city near the base of Mt. Hakodate. For public transport, it is a 12 minute walk uphill from Yachigashira tram station (seven stops from Hakodate tram station). If driving there is a small parking spot. 〒040-0046 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Yachigashiracho, 1-2 Myoshinji |
Gagyusanmyoshin Temple is a Buddhist temple tucked up in the hills of Mt. Hakodate. It is a large temple and being up on the slopes of Mt. Hakodate, has views overlooking the residential area of Hakodate. It is also on the way to the Hekketsu-hi Monument, which is a short walk away. The temple was founded by Wakamatsu Niizumi, who was born in 1915. As a child he had difficulty with his eyesight and his mother often prayed that he would be able to see. At the age of seven, he could finally open his eyes. From this experience, he devoted his life to the Buddhist faith.
He was a priest in Hakodate City, and in the spring of 1946, the temple was founded. For those practicing the Buddhist faith, there is a special red stamp that can be received on arrival. Throughout the temple and on the grounds, there are various statues and memorials. Each has their own special significance. There is a bell tower, with the large bell being rung at 6:30 and at 18:00 everyday. Throughout the year there are various events held. The most interesting being the ‘Yuan Dynasty Visit’ which is the New Year’s first prayer meeting. This festival sees brave souls pouring water over themselves in the cold winter weather. For other festivals, read below.
| January | Yuan Dynasty Visit New Year's first prayer meeting |
| February | Cold training Star Festival Setsubun Religious Party |
| March | Higankai |
| April | Spring festival |
| July | Ranbonkai Summer Vacation training dojo Mizuko Kyokai |
| September | Higankai |
| October | Autumn festival |
| November | Daikokutenjin festival |
| December | Boil up, Joya no Kane |
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Historical site, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the southern part of Hakodate city near the base of Mt. Hakodate. There is no parking here so it's a little tricky but you can find some parking around the shrines nearby and take the path up to the site. For public transport, it is a 15 minute walk uphill from Yachigashira tram station (seven stops from Hakodate tram station). 5-14 Yachigashiracho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0046 |
The Hekketsu Monument is the centre piece for the burial and tribute for the 800 samurai and their leaders who died fighting against government forces in the Boshin War. This war included, specifically, the Battle of Hakodate. This battle in 1869 was the samurai’s last stand. The government forces were intent on restoring the emperor to the throne and overthrowing the military rule of the Shogunate and the samurai. The monument here is made from stone brought up from Tokyo. The word ‘Hekketsu’ is derived from an old Chinese saying, “the blood of warriors who die for their lord turns blue after three years.”
Toshizo Hijikata who led the samurai in the final Battle of Hakodate was killed during this fight. This monument is also erected in his memory. His death poem reads “though my body may decay on the island of Ezo, my spirit guards my lord in the East.” In the aftermath of the battle, the bodies of the Shogunate forces were originally left on the streets and any burial or religious service was prohibited. The bodies were eventually moved to this current site. The government forces dead were buried at Hakodate Gokoku Shrine, which is not a far walk from here. This grassland in the forest is a peaceful and relaxing spot with a quiet stillness and is worth a visit. This site is not far from the shrines lower down on the hill and is better accessed from Gagyusan Myoshin Temple or the shrine of Hachiman-gu.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-3821-3323 |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, parking for 40 (closed in winter), food stall on site, historical landmark |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the southern part of Hakodate city on the bluff. It's about a 20 minute drive south west, from Goryōkaku Park. If you need public transport, the closest station is Yachigashira tram station (seven stops from Hakodate tram station). From here it is a 16 minute walk south. 9-9 Sumiyoshicho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0045 |
Cape Tachimachi is on the south east side of the Hakodate headland. Rising thirty meters above sea level, Cape Tachimachi has beautiful views over the Tsugaru Strait. The word ‘Tachimachi’ is derived from the Ainu word ‘Yokoushi’ which means, a place to wait and catch fish. There is a small lookout point with equally stunning views down the coast. This cape is part of Hanamasu Park. The park is full of pink Hanamasu flowers which are indigenous to Hokkaido. On the way to the park, you pass through the Hakodate Shiei Sumiyoshimachi Kyodo Cemetery and the Grave of Ishikawa Takuboku, which is a fascinating area.
There is ample free parking here, though in the winter the parking may be closed from 16:00 during heavy snow in the winter. This spot is great to wander around, plus there are a couple of benches to take a seat and admire the views. There is a small food stall on the cape. They sell scallops, grilled corn, oden, potatoes and some local seafood sticks. All costing around ¥300. Other points of interest include monuments to Okada Kenzo, which is close by. Okada Kenzo was the founder and first director of the Hakodate Municipal Library.
