Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Hakodate
Hakodate is a port city located in Oshima Sub-prefecture on the Hokkaido island. It is the third-largest city on the island. Hakodate is one of the most popular destinations on Hokkaido island. There are several places to visit in Hakodate in winter as well as in summer. It is an evergreen tourist destination. Skiing and surfing are the most popular things to do in Hakodate.
Mount Hakodate is the prime Hakodate attraction to visit in winter. The mountain is known for hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter. You can also take the ropeway to get up the mountain for Hakodate sightseeing in summer and skiing in Hakodate in winter. The ropeway will take you up the mountain in a matter of 3-4 minutes. The ropeway will also lead you to Tsugaru Fort located on the mountain. The mountain gives a wonderful view of the surrounding scenery and the city as well. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Hakodate to get a night view of the city. One of the best things to see in Hakodate from up the mountain is the star-shaped fort in the city.
The Goryokaku Fort is a star-shaped fort with a moat on all sides. This fort usually features Hakodate Japan guide. There are several sights to see and things to do in Hakodate Japan in Goryokaku Fort. The fort now serves as a popular park. This park is one of the best places to visit in Hakodate for sights of cherry blossoms.
One of the finest Hakodate sights is the Hachiman Zaka Slope leading to the port. The trees along the side of the road are lit up in winter at night. It is one of the most photogenic places for Hakodate sightseeing.
Along the ocean, one of the best things to do in Hakodate is relaxing at the natural hot springs at Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen. The hot springs face the open ocean. There are tubs formed from stones. You can enjoy a bath at these beautiful hot springs, but there is likely to be a rush of tourists at this Hakodate attraction.
If you are looking to go surfing among things to do in Hakodate, then you should head to Sumiyoshi beach or Nakamurashita beach. Both beaches are popular among surfers among Hakodate places of interest.
The morning market is one of the biggest Hakodate tourist attraction, especially if you carve seafood. The locals come here to fish for sea-food, mainly squids, from small pools in the market. The vendors gather live squids and fishes in small pools. You have to get a fishing stick and fish for what you want to buy.
If you are craving for street food, you can head to Daimon Yokochon. This food stall village is among the best place to visit in Hakodate to enjoy traditional food and street food. The village is especially known for the local variety of ramen.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Hakodate, Japan
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Hakodate, Japan
- Hakodate Orthodox Church
- Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
- Trappistine Monastery
- British Consulate Museum
- Magistrate Office Museum
- Motomachi Catholic Church
- Mashu Maru Ship Museum
- Yakura Shrine
- Hachiman gu Shrine
- Kitajima Saburo Museum
- Matsumae Castle
- Hakodate City Museum of Northern People
- St. John’s Church
- Shiryokaku Fort
- Shinoridate Castle
- Hakodate Museum of Art
- Funatama Shrine
- Kyu Soma Tei
- Hizikata Takuboku Museum
- Hakodate City Museum
- Otani Hongan ji Betsu-in
- Gokoku Shrine
- Hokkiji Buddist Temple
- Hakodate Jomon Culture Museum
- Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
- Hijikata Toshizo Deathplace Monument
- Hokodate Municipality Local Museum
- Koryuji Buddist Temple
- Hakodate City Museum of Literature
- Kamedahachimangu Shrine
- Hakodate Museum of Kahei Takadaya
- Ishizakijinushikai Shrine
- Toshogu Shrine
- Hakodateshi Hokuyo Museum
- Chinese Memorial Hall
- Russian Consulate Heritage Building
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Hakodate, Japan
- Mount Hakodate
- Cape Tachimachi
- Mount E Volcano
- Kosetu En
- Mizunashikaihin Natural Hot Springs
- Mount Yokotsu
- Esan Prefectural Nature Park
- Cape Esan
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Hakodate, Japan
- Goryokaku Park
- Tropical Botanical Garden
- Hakodate Hot Springs
- Nanae Snow Park
- Children’s World Amusement Park
- Yunokawa hot spring footbath
- Squid Fishing Shop
- Nanaehama no yu Public Bath
- FUN Science Museum
- Nogi Onsen Nagomi Hot Spring
- Hakodate Omori Hot Springs
- Taiseiyu Public Bath
Things to do in Hakodate in Winter
- Skiing
- Hot Springs Bath
- Snowbaording
- Visit Hachiman Zaka Slope
- Yunokawa Onsen Hot Springs
- Onuma Quasi National Park
Shopping in Hakodate, Japan
- Hakodate Asaichi
- Hakodate Morning Market
- Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
- Kaisen Ichiba Market
- Goryokaku Towers
- Meijikan Street
Beaches in Hakodate, Japan
- Horaicho Beach
- Nanaehama Beach
- Omoricho Beach
- Ugauracho Beach
- Asaichi BeachTachimachi Beach
Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventure Things to do in Hakodate, Japan
- Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
- Surfing at Sumiyoshi
- Surfing at Nakamurashita
- Todohokke Surf Beach
Sightseeing in Hakodate, Japan
- Goryokaku Tower
- Matomachi Park
- Hakodate Park
- Mt. Hakodate Observation Deck
- Miharashi Park
- Hakodate Port
- Hakodate Bay
- Shiki no Mori Park
- Takubokusho Park
- Esansutsuji Park
- Hakodate City Forest
- Shirotai Ranch Observation Deck
- Hachman Zaka Slope
- Showa Park
- Dam Park
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Hakodate, Japan
- Shikabe Kanketsusen
- Hige Restaurant
- Bay Gourmet Club
- Jonetsu Steak
- Danburi Yokocho Market
- Hokodate Dining Gaya
- Seiryuken
- Kaiseki no Sato Kira
- Kamome
- Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo
- Lucky Pierrot
- Menchubo Ajisai
- Hasegawa Store
- Shinzen
- Gotten Restaurant
- Bari Bari Saran
- Uni Murakami
- Ushidokoro Kihara
- Coffee Room Kikuchi
- Hokkaido Seafood & Tokachi Beef Steak Restaurant
- Kaisen Ajidokoro Suzuya Shokudo
- L’oiseau ar Matsunaga
- Asaichi Shokudo Nibankan
- Karakusakan
- Sakurai Ramenten
- Ganso Koike
How to Reach Hakodate, Japan?
By Air
The nearest airport for Hakodate travel is the city’s airport located about 20 minutes away. The Hakodate airport welcomes flights form Japanese cities Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. There is also only one international flight for places to visit in Hakodate, which comes from Seoul in South Korea. You will be able to get a bus to visit Hakodate attractions from the airport. You will also get cab service to reach the city or Hakodate tourist attractions, but the bus is cheaper.
By Road
The road routes are very well connected in Hokkaido, Japan. You can catch a train for things to see in Hakodate from Honshu. You can also get a train for Hakodate travel from Tokyo via the Seikan Tunnel. You can also reach Hakodate places of interest by bus. But the accessibility by road is only limited to cities and towns in Hokkaido.
By Water
You can catch a ferry for Hakodate travel from Seikan, Tsugaro Kaikyo, and Oma. People also ride with cars and motorcycles on these ferries for places to visit in Hakodate.
