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What comes to mind when you think of Hakodate?
This city is brimming with various charms, from historic buildings and fresh seafood to one of Japan’s top three night views. Above all, the view from Mount Hakodate is an unforgettable sight.
But to be honest, there are countless attractions in Hakodate. It might be difficult to visit them all in a short trip of 1 night and 2 days.
So this time, we propose a model course that even first-time visitors to Hakodate can efficiently tour.
We have carefully selected representative tourist spots in Hakodate, from famous places to hidden gems. We’ll also deliver plenty of gourmet information.
Please use this article as a reference to fully enjoy the charm of Hakodate. It will surely become a memorable experience in your life.
Now, let’s start our journey in Hakodate!
On the first day of our Hakodate trip, we will explore the city center. Let’s send you off with a packed itinerary, from tourist attractions to local gourmet food.
When you think of Hakodate, you have to go eat delicious seafood first. On the first day of your trip, you will have traveled early in the morning and will be hungry. Let’s enjoy fresh seafood at the Hakodate Morning Market, just a 2-minute walk from Hakodate Station.
The Hakodate Morning Market is one of the largest markets in Hokkaido, with about 250 stores lined up. Especially famous is the “Hakodate Morning Market Kikuyo Shokudo” located in the center of the market. Here, you can taste seafood bowls filled to the brim. Being able to eat fresh seafood from the morning is a luxury unique to Hakodate.
Read more about Hakodate Morning Market
The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, within walking distance from the Hakodate Morning Market, is a shopping mall utilizing historic buildings constructed in the Meiji era. The beautiful brick exterior is a symbolic presence in Hakodate. Inside, there are restaurants using ingredients unique to Hokkaido, and shops dealing in crafts such as glassware and music boxes.
The highlight of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is undoubtedly the harbor view. From the second floor of the warehouse, a superb view of Hakodate Port spreads out. The scenery woven by the blue sea, white ships, and red brick warehouses is just like a painting. It is a spot where you can feel the history and culture of Hakodate with your skin.
Read more about Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Hakodate’s popular tourist spot “Motomachi” is attractive for its nostalgic townscape lined with Western-style buildings dating back to the Meiji era. Let’s take a stroll through the atmospheric slopes, such as Hachiman-zaka and the streetcar.
A must-see is the Former Hakodate Public Hall. The imposing stone building is Hakodate’s oldest Western-style building, built in the Meiji era. It is now open to the public as a museum. The view from the balcony is exceptional.
Also, don’t miss the Motomachi Catholic Church. The beautiful pure white exterior of the Gothic-style church blends perfectly into the Hakodate scenery. Its quiet appearance makes you forget the passage of time.
Read more about Motomachi Stroll
If you’re tired from walking around Motomachi, charge your energy at Hakodate’s soul food “Lucky Pierrot”! It’s a local fast-food restaurant unique to Hakodate, known for its voluminous menu.
The signature menu item is “Lucky Potatoes,” which comes with a generous amount of cheese and meat sauce on top of french fries. You may be puzzled by this combination that exceeds your imagination at first. But once you eat it, you’re sure to get hooked! The Chinese Burger, stuffed with plenty of ingredients, is also superb.
The store is lined with pierrot dolls and posters. The funky interior is also one of the charms of Lucky Pierrot. Enjoy the taste and atmosphere of Hakodate.
Read more about Lucky Pierrot
With the sightseeing settled down, let’s check into the hotel. You need stamina to fully enjoy the night in Hakodate. Take a break at the hotel and refresh yourself. It’s also recommended to take a shower and freshen up.
The night view from Mount Hakodate, counted as one of Japan’s three best night views, is the highlight of Hakodate sightseeing. From the summit at an altitude of 334 meters, a magnificent view of the city lights shining like an overturned jewelry box spreads out.
Especially not to be missed is the changing scenery from dusk to night. As the sun sets, the city lights gradually turn on, creating a breathtakingly romantic sight.
After enjoying the night view from the observation deck or restaurant, let’s further enjoy the Hakodate night.
When it comes to Hakodate’s nightlife, Daimon Yokocho is the place to be. This area, known as a drinking district, is lined with izakayas where you can enjoy fresh seafood. Let’s feast on Hakodate gourmet in a lively atmosphere.
Squid dishes are a must-try. You can enjoy them in various cooking methods such as dancing squid (live squid sashimi), squid sashimi, and squid somen. They also pair perfectly with sake.
There are also plenty of dishes using seasonal seafood such as Hokke (Atka mackerel) and taraba crab. It’s recommended to go bar hopping as each shop has different flavors and cooking methods. Fully enjoy the taste of Hakodate.
Read more about Daimon Yokocho
After enjoying the night in Hakodate, stop by Hakodate Station before returning to the hotel. At night, the monument in front of the station is illuminated, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
Hakodate Station at night shows a different expression than during the day. Numerous objects illuminated by lights. Take a memorable photo.
The Hakodate trip is finally on its last day. The key is how to spend the limited time until the return flight. Let’s go around efficiently and enjoy the charm of Hakodate to the end.
Let’s start the last morning at the Hakodate Morning Market as well. Charge up with a breakfast using fresh seafood.
Recommended is the sushi at the popular store “Sushi no Senshow” in the morning market. The freshness of the toppings is outstanding, and the reasonable price is also attractive. Especially the fatty salmon is superb. Be sure to taste the luxurious Hakodate-style breakfast.
Read more about Sushi no Senshow
Next, head to Hakodate’s historical spot “Goryokaku”. It is a star-shaped fortress built at the end of the Edo period and conveys the state of affairs at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The highlight is the 107-meter-tall Goryokaku Tower. From the observation deck, you can get a panoramic view of Hakodate City centering on Goryokaku Park. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Tsugaru Strait.
Inside the tower, there is also a museum introducing the history of Hakodate. It’s recommended as you can learn about the situation at that time through dioramas and videos. Enjoy the scenery while reflecting on the history of Hakodate.
Read more about Goryokaku
The sightseeing is finally coming to a close. Before boarding the return flight, there’s one more thing you can’t miss: Hakodate ramen.
Near Hakodate Station, there is a long-established ramen shop popular with locals called “Shinano”. It is characterized by a light salt-flavored soup, which is easy to eat.
The noodles are thin and straight. The supple texture and the way it intertwines with the soup are exquisite. The chashu is also tender and full of meat flavor. You’re sure to finish it in no time.
It is recommended to eat Hakodate ramen as the finale of your Hakodate trip. It will surely make you want to come back to Hakodate again.
Read more about Shinano
How was it? We introduced a travel plan that packs the charm of Hakodate into a short time.
On the first day, enjoy the bounty of the sea at the morning market and stroll through the streets of Motomachi. At night, there’s the night view from Mount Hakodate. On the second day, touch on history at Goryokaku and wrap it up with Hakodate ramen. It’s a dizzying schedule, but you should be able to have a unique Hakodate experience at each place.
But to be honest, the charm of Hakodate cannot be fully described in 1 night and 2 days. In addition to the spots introduced this time, there are still many more places to see. For example, the Bay Area, Yachigashira Onsen, Hakodate Milk, and so on.
Please try to touch on a part of Hakodate’s charm on this trip. And if you feel like you want to know more, please visit again. Surely, new discoveries and excitement await you.
Hakodate is a city that never gets boring no matter how many times you visit. One of its charms is that it shows different expressions depending on the season. In spring, there are cherry blossoms; in summer, the night view; in autumn, the autumn leaves; and in winter, the snowy scenery. You can enjoy it throughout the year.
The same goes for the food. Dishes made with seasonal ingredients will give you a new taste every time you visit.
Please visit Hakodate many times and fully enjoy its charm. It will surely become an unforgettable memory for you.
May your trip to Hakodate be a wonderful experience for you.
Have a great trip!
