| Cost per night | ¥7,800 single rooms ¥11,000 double rooms ¥12,000 - ¥18,000 twin rooms |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Contact | 0138-22-1155 https://www.promote-hakodate.com/ |
| Restaurant | Buffet restaurant 6:30 - 21:00 |
| Wi-fi | Yes |
| Parking | 55 parking spaces ¥500 cars / ¥1000 trucks / ¥0 bikes |
| Notes | Amenities in room, coin laundry, vending machines (soft drinks and alcohol), AED, smoking and non smoking rooms, dryer free, free welcome coffee in lobby, free amenity corner, taxi arrangement, free computer corner, massage service 2 minutes walk to convenience store 2 minutes walk from drugstore |
| Location | Located in central Hakodate it's a 10 minute walk east from Hakodate station, or a 1 minute walk from Matsuzake-cho tram station. Opposite Kankanji 16-18 Matsukazecho Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0035 |
Hotel Promote Hakodate is one of the many hotels found in central Hakodate. It is along one of the main roads that has the tram lines along it. It is just a one minute walk from Matsukaze-cho tram stop and is directly across from Kankanji. It is also a seven minute walk from Hakodate train station. The rooms here are clean and comfortable. The hotel has 98 guest rooms. This includes 81 single rooms, 11 double rooms, and 6 twin rooms. The twin rooms have nice views over the city. All the rooms have free internet, TV’s, paid video, full bathroom and kitchen amenities, and air conditioning. On arrival, guests receive a free welcome coffee.
In the lobby you can also find the computer corner that is available 24 hours. There are vending machines in the hotel that serve soft drinks and alcohol. If you want to buy anything, the hotel is just a 2 minute walk from a convenience store and a drug store. The floors also have a coin laundry and free dryer. There is one restaurant in the hotel. This is buffet style and serves both Japanese and Western food.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥500- ¥1500 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-512-1916 https://www.cafeblue.jp/ |
| Notes | Coffee shop, seating 50, wifi, cards accepted, take out available, parking, no reservations |
| Location / Getting There | Located in western Sapporo. It is a 4 minute walk from the 'Ropeway Iriguchi Station' (Exit 2) on the Sapporo tram line. The cafe is also just a 5 minute walk from the ropeway to Mt. Moiwa. 16 Chome-9-12 Minami 19 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0919 |
Cafe Blue is a homely coffee shop that was renovated from an old folks house. It is tucked away at the foot of Mt. Moiwa and with natural light streaming through the large windows, and with its old rustic, wooden interior, this is a great spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cafe Blue is most famous for its fluffy pancakes and its fresh cream. These are served with fresh Hokkaido ingredients creating a delicious sweet and savory meal. Eggs Benedict, a thick slice of bacon, fresh salad served with pancakes or waffles. Perfect for brunch!
Being just a short walk from the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway, why not drop in after or before a trip to the top of the mountain! Cafe Blue is not too touristy and is a quiet place to have a coffee or a meal. Besides the pancakes, they have an excellent green keema curry, a shiretoko chicken teriyaki plate, and an octopus ragout sauce pasta, plus a few seasonal dishes. The sweets are just as impressive with scones, cakes, and parfaits, and of course pancakes with sweet toppings. Try the pancakes with blueberry rare cheese! The menu comes with pictures so it is easy to order. Cafe Blue is definitely worth a visit.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-3822-0862 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located at the central Hokkaido. It is a 2 minute walk from Matsukaze Cho street car station. It is directly across from Hakodate Promote Hotel. 15-17 Matsukazechō, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0035 |
Kankanji is a large Buddhist temple in the central city of Hakodate. The temple is a short walk from many of the central hotels in the area and can be easily found off the main road. Throughout the year, (as with other temples of the same religious beliefs) special events and festivals are held. This temple is part of the Omotoyama Naritasan Shinshoji. There are eight other temples of the same sect and these can be found in Fukugawa (Tokyo), Kawagoe (Saitama), Sapporo (Hokkaido), Yokohama (Kanagawa), Osaka (Osaka), Nagoya (Aichi) and Fukui (Fukui prefecture).
The Founding Memorial Festival is on the 27th and 28th of July every year. Besides this festival, there are numerous events throughout the year. The main events can be seen on January 1, February 3 brings the Setsubun festival, March 20 (Vernal Equinox Day) Spring equinox memorial service, April 8 is the Flower Festival, June 15 is the Aoba Festival, September 18 (Autumn equinox day) Autumn equinox memorial service. The longest event is from October 1 to November 30 and sees the Shichigosan special prayer meeting. Trinkets, amulets, and beads can be bought at this temple.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0138-24-0033 |
| Notes | Park, events space, available to rent for events |
| Location / Getting There | This long park is located in central Hakodate. It is just a 5 minute walk from Hakodate Station. It is also a quick 3 minute walk from Matsukaze-Cho Tram Station. 2-23, Matsukaze-cho, Hakodate 10-62 16-8 |
The Hakodate Green Plaza is a long and narrow space that covers five blocks. It is located in the Daimon district in front of Hakodate Station. The park was established back in 1973 and was created as a place where people can relax and enjoy themselves. It was redeveloped from 2001 to 2003. This space is also used as an event space and can even be rented out, by calling and getting the appropriate forms. The park is also by many of the hotels and restaurants in the area so it is easily accessed.
The best time to visit the park would be during the spring as there are many cherry blossom trees planted along its central path. You can enjoy these blossoms with a casual walk or by taking a seat on one of the many benches. During the year, there are some events held at the park. These include the “Hakodate Shio Ramen Summit”, the “Daimon Festival”, and the “Hakodate Gourmet Circus”. In the middle of the park is a statue of ‘Gekko Kamen’ also known as Moonlight Mask, champion of justice. This masked hero became popular in Japan in 1958 and was idolized by many young boys. Hakodate is the hometown of the original author.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 20:00 (last order 19:30) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-206-0631 |
| Notes | Coffee shop, wifi, English menu, seating 70, no smoking, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo in the Le Trois shopping centre. It is across from Odori Park and is a quick walk from Odori subway station, only 3 minutes. 1 Chome-13 Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
Located in the Le Trois shopping centre on the 3rd floor, Kurami Coffee is a popular coffee shop. It is a large space with nice views overlooking Odori Park across the road. Kurami has free wifi which is definitely handy for those traveling. The staff here are also very good. With a lot of seating, this is a popular spot for shoppers in the Le Trois building. Here, in the spacious surroundings you can enjoy a nice coffee or tea and have a bite to eat for lunch or a quick dinner.
Kurami is part of a chain of restaurants and cafes that can be found throughout all of Japan. All these restaurants/cafes are all run with an Italian style menu. Kurami is no exception The menu has a selection of sandwiches, a couple of salads, and a few pastas from which to choose from. The price here too is very reasonable and you can have a coffee and a sandwich for around ¥1000. Le Trois has other restaurants on higher floors up for bigger meals, but if you are looking for a nice spot to enjoy a coffee with friends, Kurami is a nice choice.
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | Weekends and public holidays |
| Contact | 011-261-7502 http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/sapporo/index.html |
| Notes | Free parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo by Odori Park on west 11. It is an easy walk from Nishi juitchome Station subway station (Tozai Line). Take exit 1 and walk diagonally across the park, past the fountain. The immigration bureau is on the 7th floor. 12 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
For all foreigners living in Japan, you will inevitably come to the immigration bureau at some point. The main immigration bureau is in Sapporo but there are also immigration offices in Asahikawa, the New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai, and Kushiro. For visas it is juts a matter of checking off what’s needed and can take a few trips back and forth. It can either be an easy or difficult experience. In Sapporo, upon entering the building, you will need to sign in, get a badge and go through the security gate. Immigration is on the 7th floor. The staff here generally speak little English which can make things a little more difficult. There is a small help desk on the left hand side of the door and is manned by two old Japanese guys. They too, speak very little English but will help you with forms. All the visa forms here are here; student, work, spousal, permanent residence, and specialist visas.
The immigration bureau can get busy so be prepared to wait. They do close for lunch as well so early mornings are usually best to get there. Once you have all your forms ready take a ticket and wait (don’t forget to bring your passport and alien registration card). One convenient thing about the immigration building is that it is a short walk from the central city hall (if you live in the area) so any extra forms you may need, are a quick walk away. When picking up a new visa you need to pay for it. There is a convenience store on the B1 basement floor and it is here you will buy a stamp equivalent to your visa cost (usually from ¥3000 to ¥6000). Take the stamp back to the 7th floor and you are done. For more information on types of visas, click here.