Explore Hakodate: Top Attractions and Itinerary
Hakodate is a peaceful seaside town located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, across the sea from Honshu Island. Its famous attractions include Mount Hakodate (with its “Million Dollar Night View”), the Hakodate Morning Market (a seafood market), Goryokaku (a star-shaped fort), and the Tropical Botanical Garden (where you can see monkeys bathing in hot springs).
by Natasha Jenny
Transportation to and Around Hakodate
Getting to Hakodate
From Hakodate Airport to Hakodate Station
- By Direct Bus: Take the direct bus to JR Hakodate Station, which takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥500 per person. For more details, click here.
- By Bus Route 96: Take bus route 96 to JR Hakodate Station, which takes about 33 minutes and costs ¥340 per person.
- By Taxi: A taxi from the airport to JR Hakodate Station costs around ¥3,000, though the price may vary slightly depending on the type of vehicle.
From Tokyo to Hakodate
By Train: Take the train from Shinjuku to Hakodate, which takes about 5.5 hours and costs around ¥24,000. For more details, click here.
By Plane: The flight takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and ticket prices are generally lower than those for the train.
From Sapporo to Hakodate
By Train: The journey takes about 4 hours and costs ¥9,940. For more details, click here. It’s recommended to choose a seat on the left side for stunning views of the sea along the way. You can also take a 1–2 day break to enjoy hot springs in Noboribetsu and Lake Toya along the route.
By Bus: The journey takes about 5.5 hours and costs around ¥4,000. For more details, click here.
From Otaru to Hakodate
Take the train, which takes about 5.5 hours and costs ¥10,610. For more details, click here.
From Noboribetsu to Hakodate
Take the train, which takes about 2.5 hours and costs ¥7,460. For more details, click here.
From Lake Toya to Hakodate
Take the train, which takes about 2 hours and costs ¥5,920. For more details, click here.
Getting Around Hakodate
City Tram
Hakodate’s city tram has a history of over 100 years and features a charming, vintage design. There are currently two lines (Lines 2 and 5), which run parallel between “Yunokawa” and “Jujigai,” covering most of Hakodate’s major attractions. One-way fares range from ¥210 to ¥260. If you plan to ride three or more times, it’s recommended to buy a 1-day pass (¥600) directly on the tram. For more details, click here.
by Bus
While buses may not have the same nostalgic charm as the tram, they cover more routes and some bus stops are closer to certain attractions. Fares vary by route. A 1-day bus pass costs ¥1200, and a combined tram + bus 1-day pass is ¥1400, though most travelers may find it unnecessary. For more details, click here.
Taxi
Since Hakodate’s attractions are relatively close together, taxi fares typically range from ¥1000 to ¥3000.
Where to Stay in Hakodate
The most convenient place to stay is near JR Hakodate Station.
JR Inn Hakodate★★★ Location 9.6 | Facilities 9.2 | Value for money 9.1
Premier Hotel - CABIN PRESIDENT★★★ Location 9.4 | Facilities 8.6 | Value for money 8.6
Hakodate Day Trip Itinerary
Hakodate’s attractions are close together, making it perfect for a day trip.
Start your morning at JR Hakodate Station and walk to the Hakodate Morning Market to enjoy a fresh seafood breakfast (about 1 hour). Then, take the tram or bus to Goryokaku Park to visit the tower and enjoy the view (1–2 hours).
Next, take the tram to the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden to watch the monkeys soaking in hot springs (0.5–1 hour). Their relaxed expressions while bathing are especially heartwarming.
Continue by tram to Jujigai and explore the Red Brick Warehouses, where you can also have lunch.
Afterward, walk to Hachimanzaka to admire the architecture and take photos (0.5–1 hour).
Finally, walk to the Hakodate Ropeway station and take the cable car up the mountain. At the top, visit the observation deck for a daytime view of Hakodate, then relax at the café while waiting for sunset. End your day with the famous “Million Dollar Night View” from Mount Hakodate (2 hours).
Top Attractions in Hakodate
Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Market
Hokkaido’s most famous morning market mainly sells seafood and fruits and vegetables, with over 200 shops and stalls.
Hours:
January to April 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
May to December 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Tips:
- You can have breakfast here; the crabs and various seafood are very fresh. You can choose what you want and have it cooked on-site. You can also negotiate the price of crabs.
- Squid fishing is a signature activity, priced at around 1,500 yen each, but the price may vary with the season.
- The market also offers many fruits, such as Yubari melons, a local specialty, and apples from Aomori, both worth trying.
Transportation:
It’s about a 3-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station.
Website: Hakodate Morning Market Official Website
Selected Video: 函館朝市を市民目線で魅力をギュッとご紹介
Goryokaku Park
Goryokaku is Japan’s first star-shaped fort, built with inspiration from European castle designs. It has been designated as a Special Historic Site. The area is divided into the free Goryokaku Park and the paid Goryokaku Tower, where you can get a full view of the park from above.
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission: 1000 yen for adults, 750 yen for Middle/High School Students, 500 yen for Elementary School Students. Available for booking on Klook.
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Tips:
Late April to early May is the perfect time to visit Goryokaku for cherry blossom viewing.
Transportation:
- Take the city tram from JR Hakodate Station and get off at Goryokaku Koen-mae Station. The ride takes 16 minutes and costs ¥230. From the stop, it’s a 10-minute walk.
- Take the bus from JR Hakodate Station and get off at Goryokaku Park Entrance. The ride takes 16 minutes and costs ¥280. From the stop, it’s a 5-minute walk.
Website: Goryokaku Park Official Website
Selected Video: DHakodate GORYOKAKU TOWER Walking Tour
Selected Video: Cherry blossoms at Goryokaku Park
Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden
This botanical garden is very small, consisting of just a greenhouse, a foot bath, and its most famous attraction—a group of monkeys soaking in the hot springs. It’s best to visit during the winter.
Hours:
April to October 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
November to March 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary and middle school students
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes
Tips:
- The monkeys only soak in the hot springs during cold weather, showing off their relaxed expressions. You won’t see this iconic scene in other seasons.
- Feeding the monkeys is fun! You can buy monkey food for 100 yen per pack.
Transportation:
- Take the city tram from JR Hakodate Station to Yunokawa-onsen Station, then walk for 15 minutes.
- Take the Hakodate Bus 95/95A/96 from JR Hakodate Station and get off at Nettai Shokubutsuen-mae, about a 20-minute ride. The fare is 310 yen.
- A taxi from JR Hakodate Station to the botanical garden takes about 15 minutes and costs around 2,200 yen.
Website: Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden Official Website
Selected Video: 函館市熱帯植物園に行ってみた
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Located in Hakodate’s bay area, this historic site has been around for over a hundred years. It was transformed into a shopping complex in 1988. It’s a great spot for taking photos and buying travel souvenirs.
Hours: Shops: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Restaurants: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Tips:
- Hakodate Meijikan has many glass crafts and music boxes, similar to Otaru’s famous glass shops, but the prices are more affordable here than in Otaru.
- Across the street from the warehouse, there’s a Lucky Pierrot burger shop with a view of the sea. This is a local Hakodate burger chain, so if you love burgers, you won’t want to miss it.
Transportation:
- It’s about a 1.4 km, 20-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station.
- You can also take the city tram from JR Hakodate Station to Jūjigai Station, then walk for 5 minutes.
Website: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Official Website
Selected Video: 金森赤レンガ倉庫！つまみ食いの旅！
Hachiman-Zaka Slope
Hachiman-Zaka is a sloped street that leads straight to the sea, offering a stunning view of the ocean from the top. Along the area between Hachiman-Zaka and the Hakodate Mountain Ropeway, you’ll find various unique churches, making it a great spot for photography.
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes
Transportation:
It’s about a 5-minute walk from the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
Selected Photo:
by Tomo M
Mt.Hakodate Ropeway
Mt. Hakodate is renowned as one of the world’s top three night views, often referred to as the “Million Dollar Night View.” While you can take a sightseeing bus to the top, it’s recommended to use the ropeway for a more scenic experience.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (extended to 10:00 PM in summer)
Ropeway round-trip price: 1,800 yen for adults, 900 yen for children
Recommended visit time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Tips:
- It’s recommended to go up the mountain about 1 hour before sunset to enjoy the full transition from daylight to sunset and then to nighttime.
- The summit can be quite cold in winter, so bring a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Since there is a restaurant on the second floor and a café on the third floor of the observatory, you can also enjoy the night view indoors where it’s warm.
Transportation:
Take the city tram from JR Hakodate Station to Jūjigai Station, then walk 10 minutes to the ropeway station.
Website: Mt.Hakodate Ropeway Official Website
Selected Photo:
by Daniel Beauchamp
Selected Video: Mount Hakodate Ropeway Cable Car and Summit
Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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