Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Hakodate

July 19, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 2394 Views

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.