Situated in the southwest of Hokkaido and facing the Tsugaru Channel, Hakodate is a port town most well known for its magnificent night views and morning seafood market. Hakodate is also a popular area to view various types of flowers and holds a number of festivals in spring including a Cherry Blossom festival held late April / early May and the Esan Azalea festival between mid May / early June.

Sights

Hakodate Night View
The view gained from the top of Mount Hakodate is renowned as one of the top 3 night views in the world together with Hong Kong and Naples. Visitors can reach the summit be either cable car, car or by use of a hiking trail. Visibility is generally deemed at its best during the winter months due to the cleaniness of the air at this time of year.

Goryoukaku Park Cherry Blossom Viewing
Featuring more than 1600 cherry blossom trees, Goryoukaku Park is one of the best places to view cherry blossom in Japan. Goryoukaku is the first foreign style fortress to be found in Japan and has now been transformed into a public park. Constructed in 2006, the park now features a Tower that offers panoramic views of the park , Tsugaru Strait and even mainland Japan on clear days.

Morning Market (Asaichi)
Located next to JR Station and held daily from 5am until noon, this huge market spans an area equivalent to four city blocks. Although predominantly a seafood market feauturing crab, salmon eggs, sea urchin and others, fresh produce including vegetables and fruits are also readily available for purchase.

Kanemori Warehouses
These 6 early 20th century brick warehouses have been transformed into the Hakodate History Plaza. The plaza features beer halls, various shops, restaurants and a museum.

Motomachi
Take a walk up the slopes of Motomachi and you will feel like you are in a different country altogether. Western architecture, churches and cobblestone paths create an atmosphere of a historical harbor district. Due to the scenic setting provided from slopes such as Hachiman-zaka, these views often appear in Japanese television programs and commercials.

In addition to these sights, Hakodate also contains many historical structures and museums that are well worth the visit such as Old Public Hall, Old British Consulate of Hakodate, Hakodate Orthodox Church, St Johns Church, Catholic Motomachi Church and Chinese Memorial Hall.

Accommodation

Choose from a choice of three hotels available below.

Loisir Hotel Hakodate

Hakodate Kokusai Hotel

Hotel Hakodate Royal