Hakodate was the capital of Hokkaido for two years and is still a major connection area to get to the main Japanese island of Honshu. The city offers many great attractions and most of them are located near streetcar / tram stops.The Shinkansen (Bullet Train) now travels to Hakodate making it an easy place to get to. For the continuing trip to Sapporo a regular express train is necessary.
Since the end of Japans isolationist policy and the opening of ports such as Hakodate to foreign trading ships and fishing vessels, Hakodate has had its now famous Morning Market. The market is held daily between 5am and Mid-day near the main train stations west entrance. Many types of fruits and seafood are sold here. Hokkaido crabs and sea urchin are considered among the best in Japan. The are also many seafood restaurants in this area serving fresh, delicious seafood meals. In this area (approximately five minute walk) is the moored Mashu Maru Memorial Ship. Once used as a ferry between the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido it now serves as a great places to relax and have a coffee or meal at the restaurant located near the bow of the ship and gives a nice view of the bay and port area. Top
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Lying at the southern end of the central Hokkaido peninsula Mount Hakodate (Hakodateyama) is 334 meters high and allows a spectacular view of both the city and the Tsugaru Strait. On clear days and especially at night, the view of Hakodate from the mountain is quite amazing and is said to be amongst the three most beautiful views in the world. The cable car connects to an observatory at the top of the mountain. Inside there are souvenir shops, a restaurant with incredible views, and an events hall where monitors play a show about the four seasons of Hakodate. The temperature at the top of the mountain, even in summer, is slightly cool and winds can cause even cooler temperatures. The cable car which holds up to 125 people will depart every ten minutes in peak times. It is possible to drive to the top of the mountain in the warm months after the cable car service has finished operation for the day. (After approximately 10 pm) Top
| Admission | ¥640 one way / ¥1 160 return |
| Opening Hours | 10 am to 10 pm April 26 to October 31 10 am to 9 pm Nov 1 to Aril 25 |
| Closed | For a short time in early November for yearly service. |
| Contact | 138-23-3105 |
| Getting There | (Ropeway) 19-7 Motomachi Hakodate |
Constructed from 1857 to 1864 as Japan’s first Western style fort Goryokaku, is now a park and home to some 1 600 cherry trees. Shaped like a star boats can be rented for use in the moat that completely surrounds this beautiful area. The fort is also famous as the area where the Edo Shogunate Samurai had there last stand against the newly formed Meiji Imperial Army. Inside the park there is a small museum that displays weapons, uniforms and other historical articles related to these events. The whole area can be viewed from the Goryokaku Tower. Approximately 50 meters high and standing near the park entrance it gives you a great view of the star shape and the general area. Top
| Admission | Tower – Adults ¥520 |
| Opening Hours | 8 am to 8 pm Daily |
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| Getting There | From JR Hakodate Station, take a tram to the “Goryokaku Koen Mae” stop (10 minutes). From there, the fortress is another 5-10 minutes on foot. |
Originally built in 1909 by the Kanemori Beer and Shipping Company, these warehouses were remodeled in 1988 into a beer hall, shopping area and multi use hall. The harbor area and warehouse area a lovely place to spend a relaxing morning or a romantic stroll at night. Try the famous Hakodate beer which has been in production since 1898. Top
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| Contact | 138-23-0350 |
| Getting There | The Warehouses are approximately a ten minute walk from JR Hakodate Station between the station and Mt Hakodateyama. 14-16 Suehiro-cho Hakodate |
The Motomachi District is a beautiful area located between the port area and Hakodate Mountain just five minutes by streetcar from Hakodate main station. This area was favored by early Missions / Consuls and Trading Officers after the opening of Japan to the west. Many of Hakodate’s beautiful and important assets can be found in this area. It is highly recommended to take the time to walk through this area to get the best that Hakodate has to offer. However this area is built entirely on hilly terrain and can get quite steep at times. Top
Within Motomachi District –
Motomachi Roman Catholic Church –
The original Motomachi Roman Catholic Church was constructed by the first Catholic missionary, Rev. Fr. Mermet de Cashon, in 1861. The present building was built in 1924 after the previous two burnt down in 1868 and 1921. This church has the distinction of being the only church in Japan that had its alter donated by Pope Benedict XV. Top
Address : 15-30 Motomachi
Ph: 138-22-6877
Motomachi Park –
Motomachi Park is the place where Hakodate was originally founded. Within the park there is the Old Colonial Commissions Library and the Old Public Hall of Hakodate 1910. Inside there is a historical photograph museum and beautiful view of the city on the second floor, and a local tourist information center on the first. It is open daily 9am to 7pm (to 5pm in winter). Top
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Old British Consulate (Port Memorial Hall)
The original British Consulate was built for the first English consul to come to Hokkaido in 1859. This structure was destroyed by fire in 1907 and the present building erected. The consulate ceased operation in 1934 but the building was given Municipal Tangible Cultural Property honors in 1979. Inside there are displays on various aspects of Japanese history and English-Japanese relations over the years. There is also a small cafe and a shop where various imported English goods can be purchased. Top
* Please note that photographs are generally not allowed to be taken in the building.
| Admission | Adults ¥300 |
| Opening Hours | 9 am to 7 pm daily : April to October 9am to 5 pm daily : November to March |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 138-27-8159 |
| Getting There | Approximately 7 minutes walk on the Motoizaka-slope from the Suehiro-cho Streetcar Stop 33-14 Motomachi Hakodate |
The first Russian consul general Goskevich came to his post in Hakodate in 1858. The first Russian consul arrived in Sapporo in 1858, however the current building was not constructed until 1908. This building however was in use as the Russian Consulate until 1944. During the second world war the Japanese government erected a tall wall around the building. The building is still in use as the “Southern Hokkaido Youth House” and as such visitors are not permitted inside. Top
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| Getting There | The consulate is about a ten minute walk from the “Saiwaizaka-slope” bus stop toward Mount Hakodate 17-3 Funami-cho Hakodate |
This church was first built in 1861 when Russian Orthodoxy was introduced to Japan by a priest named Nikolai and then rebuilt in 1916. The Byzantine-style Church is also locally known as “Gangan-dera or Ding-Dong Temple” due to the distinctive sounds of the bells. Top
| Admission | Donation Required |
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| Contact | 138-23-7387 |
| Getting There | Approximately 15 minutes walk up the Daisanzaka-slope from the Jujigai Street Car Stop 3-13 Motomachi Hakodate |
This beautiful brick building with a green tinted roof was Japans first all female convent and was constructed in 1898 by eight nuns from France. Today, there are about 70 nuns still living and working in the convent. They are self sufficient and support themselves by managing fields and dairy farms. While visitors are not permitted to enter the convent itself you may enter the front yard and there are also some photographs displayed in the visitors reference room that show the history of the convent and its inhabitants. There is also a convent store where particularly delicious and well known home-made biscuits, sweets, butter and handicrafts are for sale. Top
* Please note that whether you are religious or not this is a fully working convent and some Nuns may have taken vows of silence. Please be respectful at all times.
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| Contact | 138-57-3331 |
| Getting There | Approximately ¥ 2,500 by taxi from JR Hakodate station or Five minutes from Hakodate Airport 346 Kamiyunokawa-cho Hakodate |
This hot spring area was discovered about 360 years ago and is the oldest hot spring area in Hokkaido. There are many hotels, inns and restaurants situated in this area overlooking the Straits of Tsugaru. It is also a popular swimming spot during the summer. The night scenery can be quite lovely with the lights of the fishing boats reflecting on the water. The spring water is salty but clear and is said to be of great value for your health. There are also some bathing areas for local monkeys where you may take some photos. Top
* If you are unsure of Japanese hot spring bathing etiquette, please click here for our help page.
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| Getting There | Take the streetcar from JR Hakodate Station to the Yunokawa Onsen Station Approximately 40 minutes. Street Car Map |
