Is Hakodate Worth Visiting? A Beautiful Coastal Town in Japan

Last Updated on October 14, 2024 by Audrey

Is Hakodate Worth Visiting? Here are plenty of reasons why you should visit this port town NOW!

When people think of visiting Japan’s Hokkaido region, Sapporo, which is Hokkaido’s largest city, usually steals the spotlight. While I do have countless recommendations for Sapporo, there’s a hidden gem just a couple of hours away that often flies under the radar—Hakodate!

There are so many things to see and do here, and I wholeheartedly recommend you spend a day or two here. Give me a couple of minutes of your time, and I’ll fill you in on why Hakodate is worth visiting!

Check out some of my other Hokkaido posts: 👇

The Best 5-Day Sapporo Itinerary For First-Timers

The Best Day Trips From Sapporo, Hokkaido (2024)

Unlocking Sapporo: What Makes It Worth Visiting In 2024

The BEST Places To Stay In Sapporo, Japan (2024)

How To Go To Sapporo: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Is Hakodate Worth Visiting in 2024?

YES! Hakodate is definitely worth a visit if you can manage it. Hakodate is a mid-sized coastal town flanked by the sea on both sides, with Mount Hakodate overlooking the city below. Located four hours away from Sapporo and four hours away from Tokyo, it’s kind of in the middle of the two large cities.

When I was on the hunt for the most epic cherry blossom viewing in Japan last May, I found myself in Hakodate and it blew me away.

Picture a huge star-shaped moat with 1,500 cherry blossom trees, fresh seafood, beautiful historical buildings, and quirky Lucky Pierrot Burgers scattered throughout the city. You can walk along the sea, or head up to the mountain for one of the most stunning views in Japan. Sound beautiful? Believe me, it is.

What is Hakodate Known For?

Hakodate is most well known for its scenic panoramic view at the top of Mount Hakodate. It is known as one of the top 3 night views in Japan.

It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers, with something to offer every season. The city is a prime location for cherry blossom viewing in late April-early May. The famous Goryokaku Park has over 50,000 cherry blossom trees, and you can head up to Goryokaku Tower to get a beautiful view of the park’s star shape, as well as learn about the city’s history.

Visitors can enjoy the changing foliage in autumn, skiing and snowboarding in winter, and many water sports and camping during the summer.

It’s also a great place for foodies, with delicious seafood. The Michelin Guide Hokkaido lists more than 30 restaurants just in Hakodate!

Perhaps my favorite part about Hakodate is the relaxed, local vibe. It is by no means a small city, with plenty of things to see and do, but it doesn’t feel too rushed like Tokyo. It’s a great place to relax and unwind.

Best Things To Do In Hakodate

1. Watch the cherry blossoms fall in Goryokaku Park

If you are lucky enough to visit Hakodate during cherry blossom season in April and May, you will not regret it one bit. Goryokaku Park is an iconic star-shaped fort originally built in 1864 to protect Hokkaido during a civil war.

There are over 1,500 cherry blossom trees to walk along, and you can visit the Goryokaku Tower, Former Magistrate Office, or rent a boat to enjoy the falling blossoms on the water. At night, lanterns illuminate the trees, welcoming traditional barbecue picnics or strolls. You can buy a “Goryokaku Ohanami Plan” that gives you everything you need to have your own barbecue!

I had the most incredible time visiting Goryokaku Park for a couple of hours. The view of looking up at the tower through the cherry blossoms is an incredible sight that you will remember forever. However, if you aren’t able to visit during spring, you can expect greenery in summer, colorful foliage in fall, and snow during the winter.

2. Ascend Goryokaku Tower to see the star-shape moat

Going up Goryokaku Tower is an activity on its own, as there’s quite a bit to do here! You can assume to spend 1-2 hours at the park and maybe another 1-2 hours at the tower, depending on if you want to eat lunch here. There are various shops and restaurants here that are all very good, as well as lots of fun trinkets and souvenirs.

I had some cherry blossom ice cream from one of the stands, and we had lunch at Seasonal Seafood Shunka located on the 2nd floor of the tower. The restaurant had traditional tatami seating, and the seafood was incredible. I definitely recommend this hidden gem.

Make sure you go to the top of the tower, where they show some really cool display models of the battle between the shogunate and the imperial troops of the Meiji government. You get to see the whole history of how the fort came to be. And of course, you’ll also get to see the stunning view of the star-shaped fort down below.

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3. See a World Famous View from Mount Hakodate

The view from Mount Hakodate is said to be one of the best in the world! In fact, it was given three stars by the Michelin Green Guide (I thought they only did food?!).

One of the reasons it’s such a unique view is because the sea flanks the city on both sides. Historical buildings and streets are lit up with real lights to give a jewelry case effect.

🌃 Looking for easy transportation to Mount Hakodate? Here’s a bus tour with pick-up and drop-off!

It’s relatively easy to get to the observatory, so the view can be enjoyed by all ages. Visitors will ascend a ropeway that arrives to the observatory in only three minutes. The ropeway operates every 15 minutes, and the last departure to the top is at 21:50. There are a couple restaurants up there if you’d like to enjoy a meal with the view.

Pro tip 💡: Make sure to check the live view on the official website before you go! When I went, it was too cloudy to see anything so we had to skip it.

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4. Discover Global Influences in Historic Motomachi

Motomachi is a historic district adorned with Western-style houses, made back when Hakodate became one of the first ports of Japan to embrace foreign trade.

There are former administrative offices and places of worship that you can view. While the buildings all look somewhat Western, they also feature different cultural influences such as from Russia, China, and America.

There are tons of shops, cafes, and restaurants here, and you can try Hokkaido’s famous soft-serve ice cream on Minatogoaka Street. You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around here.

If you stay until nighttime, the historic buildings light up. Winter is the best time to come if you want to see the trees and buildings decorated with festive lights!

5. Shop at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

The Red Brick Warehouses are an iconic sight in Hakodate. They’re near Motomachi, so you can come by after visiting the district if you have the time!

Built back in 1909, these were the first commercial warehouses in the city. Today, the warehouses are filled with awesome shops and restaurants that you can browse through all day. If you’re shopping for souvenirs while you’re in Japan, this is the perfect place.

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6. Stroll Along Cape Tachimachi

Cape Tachimachi is a scenic outlook south of Mount Hakodate. Visitors are blown away by the dramatic landscape providing a panoramic view of the Omorihama coastline, with a 30-meter-high cliff surrounded by the sea. On a sunny day, you can see the Aomori prefecture across the Tsugara Strait!

If you come in the summer, you’ll get to see Hokkaido’s pink Japanese roses ‘Hanamasu’ in full bloom. At night, fishing lights from squid fishing boats illuminate the ocean. There are some snacks around the Hamanasu rest area, where you can try seafood skewers, ice cream, corn, potatoes, and soba.

Cape Tachimachi is a short 15-minute walk from Hakodate Station, or you can take a 12-minute train to Yachigashira stop. Afterward, you could go to the Yachigashira Onsen located nearby.

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7. Eat at The Hakodate Morning Market

Love seafood? Then you have to stop by the Hakodate Morning Market while you’re in the city. With over 1.5 million visitors annually, the market is only a minute away from Hakodate Station and spans 4 blocks with stalls of fresh seafood and produce.

There are three main facilities in the market. The first is a donburi Yokocho Ichiba restaurant plaza with 20 stores selling different seafood rice bowls. I recommend trying the uni-ikura donburi, a delicious rice bowl of uni, and salmon roe.

The second facility is a 2-story Eikini Ichiba with a live squid pond where you can catch squid yourself. Lastly, Asaichi Hiroba will contain fresh seafood, produce, souvenirs, and a food court. You can find various types of crab (snow, king, and hairy crab), salmon eggs, and even try fresh uni (sea urchin)!

I’m a big seafood lover, and I love visiting Japan’s different seafood markets to sample everything. It’s comparable to Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, or Nijo Market in Sapporo. Be aware that most places will close by 2 pm, so make sure to get there before so you can try everything.

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8. Local Classic at Lucky Pierrot Burger

One thing you absolutely have to do when you visit Hakodate is eat at Lucky Pierrot Burger. Why? Because you can’t try these burgers anywhere else! Lucky Pierrot Burger is a local chain, with 17 stores in Hakodate and nowhere else.

The first time I saw a Lucky Pierrot Burger was outside of Goryokaku Park. There was a super long line underneath the big clown sign, and I was shocked and confused by how popular it was. That’s when I knew I had to try it while I was in town.

Each restaurant is unique with individual themes, and different selections. On the official website, it says that some of their most popular dishes are the Chinese chicken burger, Lucky Egg burger, and the pork cutlet burger. It’s cool, it’s fun, and it’s really exclusive to Hakodate!

9. Eat Hakodate’s “Dancing Squid”

Hakodate’s dancing squid dish is trendy amongst locals and tourists alike. Remember the Ekini Ichiba live squid pond in the Hakodate Morning Market I mentioned earlier? If you’re on the quest for a dancing squid, that’s where you want to go. Specifically, Tabiji is well known for it’s dancing squid bowl.

The squid is technically dead as soon as it’s cut, but it will move and dance for a little while because it’s so fresh. If you try it, be careful as it may stick to your tongue.

Some people might be off-put by the squid dancing post-mortem. I’ll be honest, it may not be your cup of tea. However, although some people think it’s cruel, others find it extremely delicious. If you’re the adventurous type, you may want to give it a try.

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10. Hakodate Kosetsuen

Another scenic local attraction you may want to visit is Hakodate Kosetsuen, a beautiful traditional Japanese-style garden and building that is a popular sightseeing spot, especially during autumn.

The garden was created in the late 1800s and features around 150 species of trees. Between late October and mid-November, the trees change into intensely colorful foliage with night lighting to create a picturesque display.

It’s also 10 minutes away from the Yunokawa Onsen area, so if you are staying close by and are visiting in the fall, it’s worth stopping by. Additionally, you may see some seasonal cherry blossom blooms if you’re visiting in the spring (Late April to early May). However, if you’re coming during the off-season, I would skip this spot.

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11. Yunokawa Onsen

One of my favorite areas of Hakodate is the Yunokawa Onsen, a hot spring area around the town that is known as one of the best hot spring resorts in Southern Hokkaido. The hot spring water here is known for its great healing properties.

Several hotels are located here with amazing onsens. My personal favorite is Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei, which features a private onsen in your hotel room overlooking the ocean! It was perfect for me because I have tattoos and I wanted a more private experience with my partner. I have a full review of the hotel here.

If you don’t want to stay in the hotel but still want to enjoy the onsens, you can buy a day pass at some of the hotels. Try Emi Hakodateya (1,000 yen/person), Hotel Kamomekan (650 yen/person), Hotel Banso (1250 yen/person), or Hotel Tetora Yunokawa Onsen (500/person) for day passes.

If you walk along Yunokawa Street, you can visit Yukura Shrine as well as the Yunokawa Hot Spring Foot Bath area. There are also lots of teatime snack shops along the road, which serve treats like skewered dumplings and soft-serve ice cream.

12. Take a Day trip to Lake Onuma

If you have an extra day while you’re in Hakodate, why not take a trip to Lake Onuma?

Onuma Quasi-National Park is only a 40-minute car ride away from Hakodate, or an easy 1-hour train ride if you take the limited express train to Onuma Koen station. You could either do a day trip or stay as a stopover in between Hakodate and Sapporo.

The national park features beautiful island lakes with majestic Mount Komagatake in the background. There are several small hikes and easy walking routes between Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma that are suitable for people of all ages.

Some people rent bicycles for 500 yen/hr or 1000/day and ride along the lakes. During the spring and summer, there are boat tours (30 mins for 1320 yen/person), as well as canoeing, tennis, golf, fishing, and camping.

When is the best time to visit Hakodate?

Maybe I’m a little biased, but I think Spring or Fall are the best times to visit Hakodate.

Peak cherry blossom season in late April and early May is the absolute best time to go, as Goryokaku Park looks absolutely incredible. The view of Goryokaku Tower under the falling blossoms is a sight I will always keep in my memory. The streets of the town are lined with blooming trees, making the city look magical.

Visiting during autumn in late October and early November would also be a stunning view, as the leaves will change with brilliant colors of orange, yellow, and red hues. Kosetsuen would be at it’s peak for visitors to walk along the falling leaves under the lights.

where to stay in Hakodate

I recommend staying in the Yunokawa Onsen area when you visit Hakodate. You’ll get to experience the relaxing onsens that Hakodate is well known for.

My absolute favorite hotel in the area is the Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei, a 4-star hotel extremely loved by locals. We booked a traditional Japanese tatami room with a private onsen overlooking the ocean.

We absolutely loved spending our time in the outdoor onsen! It was so romantic and relaxing. The service was outstanding, and everyone was extremely kind and hospitable. We ate at the hotel buffet for both dinner and breakfast, and it was incredibly delicious both times.

For an in-depth review of Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei, check out my post here!

Before heading to the buffet, we let the staff know we were ready for our bed to be set up, and they quickly prepared our futons. When we returned from dinner, the futons were ready and super comfortable. If you don’t want to sleep on the floor, the hotel also offers Western-style rooms with beds.

Overall, it was an incredible experience, and I believe that if you don’t stay in the onsen area, you’ll miss out on a large part of what Hakodate has to offer.

🛏️ Click here to book my favorite hotel whenever I go to Hakodate!

Is Hakodate Worth Visiting: FAQs

How Many Days Do You Need in Hakodate?

Although Hakodate is a mid-sized town, I don’t think you need more than 1 or 2 days to explore the city before you start to run out of things to do. If you have an additional day, you could go to Lake Onuma.

Are there any reasons not to visit Hakodate?

There isn’t any reason not to visit Hakodate unless you have time constraints. It is 4 hours away from larger cities (Tokyo and Sapporo), so it is a bit out of the way.

Also of note, I would skip seeing the hot tub monkies in the botanical garden. The living conditions for the monkies are dismal, and after researching online, I don’t recommend going as it looks a bit cruel.

How do I get from Sapporo to Hakodate?

To get to Hakodate from Sapporo, take the Hokuto Limited Express train from Sapporo Station to Hakodate Station. The total journey is about 3.5 hours and it’s a very easy commute, as Hakodate is the last stop. The seats are comfortable and you can gaze out onto the scenery, or take a nap!

👉 Coming from Sapporo? Book a 2-day tour that takes you all over Hakodate! You’ll see Mount Hakodate, Goryokaku Park, Hakodate Morning Market, and Onuma National Park!

How do I get from Tokyo to Hakodate?

To get to Hakodate from Tokyo, you’ll take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (4 hours), then transfer to the relay train to Hakodate Station (20 minutes). The trip will take a little under 5 hours.

🚅 A JR Rail Pass may be worth it if you’re staying in Japan for a few days. If you’re staying in Hokkaido, you can grab the Hokkaido Rail Pass here.

Should I stay the night in Hakodate?

Yes, definitely! You should stay the night in one of the onsen hotels so you’ll get to fully enjoy the hot spring water and spend the day exploring the city without time constraints.

Should I rent a car in Hakodate?

I don’t think having a car is a necessity, per se. I commuted around by train and bus, as Japan is generally very commutable via train.

However, since Hakodate isn’t as metropolitan as Sapporo or Tokyo, the buses don’t run as often. They take longer and are sometimes busier. If you want to do everywhere in Hakodate, I don’t think renting a car for a day would be a bad idea.

🚗 Looking to book a rental car? Here are some easy rentals available for pick-up at Hakodate Airport.

Conclusion: Is Hakodate Worth Visiting?

So, after learning about everything this coastal town has to offer, is Hakodate worth visiting for you? I hope you’re ready to make a stop and spend some time here! There’s a ton of history in this city, as well as beautiful nature sights and local stops you can’t find anywhere else.

You can see the star-shaped moat from Goryokaku Tower, eat a burger at Lucky Pierrot, and then catch a stunning view from Mount Hakodate before soothing your muscles in a natural onsen and tuning in for the night.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and ever need any help, send me a comment or a message at hello@mappingthesoul.com! I’d love to help you plan your trip. I really enjoyed my time in Hakodate and hope you will as well!