Things to do in Hakodate

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Hakodate Travel Guide

Hakodate featuring landscape views, night scenes and a city

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Top places to visit

1. Fort Goryokaku

Fort Goryokaku is an enormous star-shaped citadel built over 150 years ago as a defensive fortress for Hakodate’s government offices. After a brief period of wartime turmoil and imperial threat, the fort was transformed into a stunning public park, distinctive for its elegant architecture, magnificent cherry blossom trees, curving moat and pleasant grassy lawns. Stroll on the promenades along the moat, visit the site’s museum and enjoy the scenic park area and historic architecture.

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2. Mount Hakodate

Mount Hakodate (Hakodateyama) crowns the southern end of Hakodate’s city center and peninsula area. Reach the top of the densely wooded mountain to experience unbeatable views of the cityscape and surrounding coastline. The 1,096-foot- (334-meter-) tall mountain offers a panoramic vista of Hakodate’s sprawling urban center, which is quite breathtaking at night. Visit the mountain just after sunset to see night falling over the city and a sea of twinkling city lights.

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Mount Hakodate featuring landscape views, night scenes and a city

3. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

There may be no better way to appreciate the mixture of tradition and modernity that has made Japan famous than by renting a traditional kimono and wandering around the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. The warehouses themselves are relics of Japan’s opening to international trade toward the end of the Edo Period. They were built in 1909 to store goods being shipped to and from Russia, Korea and the rest of Japan. Now, completely renovated, they welcome shops of all kinds. Spend the day hopping between each of the seven buildings, enjoying all the different delights here.

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Shop, eat, drink and shop some more in renovated 19th-century warehouses that now feature prominently in a Hakodate-area hot spot.

4. Goryokaku Tower

Appreciate captivating views of Goryokaku Fort and its surrounding park and the Hakodate city skyline from Goryokaku Tower, a tall observation tower next to the city’s famous fortress. Visit this impressive sightseeing structure and admire its modern design. Enjoy fantastic views across the city to outlying mountain ranges and coastlines.

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Goryokaku Tower which includes views as well as a large group of people

5. Hakodate Ropeway

There’s no better place for a view of Hakodate’s spit, jutting out into the sea, than from the top of the Hakodate Ropeway. Japan’s most popular gondola, ferrying more than 1,000,000 passengers annually to the top of Mount Hakodate, is popular for good reason. At night the glittering lights of the city fading down below offer a bewitching contrast with the still darkness of the nearby ocean. Stay strategically near some of the large windows of the gondola to watch as people, cars and buildings slowly appear smaller and smaller as you near the peak.

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With panoramic views of Hakodate and the sea, one of the best nighttime vistas in the world is visible from the top of this gondola ferry.

6. Morning Market

A visit to the Hakodate Morning Market (Hakodate Asaichi) is a morning ritual for many locals. Join the crowds of vendors and shoppers that flock to this buzzing marketplace each morning to begin the day with a vast array of fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. Stroll through the inner-city marketplace and experience a treat for the senses as you peruse colorful displays of ripe produce. Pick up made-to-order breakfasts and traditional Hakodate dishes that feature the city’s magnificent local seafood.

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Hakodate featuring street scenes as well as a large group of people

Popular places to visit

Fort Goryokaku

Walk around the enchanting grounds of this repurposed military fort shaped like a star and see historic architecture and magnificent cherry blossoms in springtime.

Mount Hakodate

Appreciate captivating views of Hakodate’s skyline, surrounding coast and glittering city lights from atop this central city mountain, accessible via a scenic cable car.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Shop, eat, drink and shop some more in renovated 19th-century warehouses that now feature prominently in a Hakodate-area hot spot.

Goryokaku Tower

Enjoy a unique overlook of Hakodate’s city skyline, surrounding mountain ranges and distant coastline from this modern observation tower and history gallery.

Hakodate Ropeway

With panoramic views of Hakodate and the sea, one of the best nighttime vistas in the world is visible from the top of this gondola ferry.

Morning Market

Start your day with delectable fruit, vegetables and freshly made breakfast in this buzzing market selling Hakodate’s freshest seasonal produce and seafood.

Hakodate Park

See the cherry blossoms bloom in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere or spend a kid-friendly day at the foot of Mount Hakodate.

Hakodate City Office

After visiting Hakodate City Office, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Hakodate. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its shops.

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden

Most famous for its surprisingly relaxed hot-tubbing monkeys, the complex is also home to Japan’s biggest collection of tropical plants.

Areas of Hakodate

Motomachi

Discover Motomachi, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Motomachi include Hakodate Harisutosu Seikyokai and Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Suehirochō Station.

Kikyō

Even though there aren't top sights in Kikyō, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Fort Goryokaku. Jump on the metro at Kikyō Station to see more of the city.

Shinkawachō

Even though there aren't top sights in Shinkawachō, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Morning Market. Jump on the metro at Chitose Station to see more of the city.

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Things to do in Hakodate

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