Hakodate Day Trip: Itinerary and Tips
Last updated: September 14, 2025
Hakodate is a quiet seaside city located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, across the strait from Honshu. 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 in Hakodate
Tokyo to Hakodate
- JR Train: About 4.5 hours, around ¥20,000. Worth it if you have a JR Pass.
- Flight: About 1 hour 20 minutes. Faster and usually cheaper.
Sapporo to Hakodate:
- JR Train: About 4 hours, ¥9,940. Sit on the left side for the best ocean views. You can also stop at Noboribetsu or Lake Toya for 1–2 nights to enjoy hot springs.
- Bus: About 5.5 hours, around ¥4,000. Cheaper but slower (
about half the price of JR).
Hakodate Airport to City Center:
- Bus: Direct to JR Hakodate Station, about 20 minutes, ¥700.
- Taxi: Around ¥3,000 to JR Hakodate Station.
Getting Around Hakodate:
- Tram: Historic streetcars running for over 100 years. Frequent service, covering most attractions. One ride costs ¥210–260. IC cards like Suica are accepted. If you ride 3+ times in a day, buy a 1-day pass for ¥600 (
available at the tourist info desk inside Hakodate Station). - Bus: Covers more routes, often closer to attractions, but many lines only run once per hour.
- Taxi: Most convenient. Fares usually ¥1,000–3,000.
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Where to Stay in Hakodate
The most convenient area to stay is near JR Hakodate Station.
JR Inn Hakodate – Rating 9.3 (15,000+ reviews). Connected to JR Station. Has a hot spring bath, so no need to venture out in the cold with your luggage.
Premier Hotel - CABIN PRESIDENT – Rating 8.9 (10,000+ reviews). Only 100m from JR Station and 1-minute walk to the Morning Market. New facilities and usually cheaper rates.
One-Day Itinerary in Hakodate
Morning: Walk from JR Hakodate Station to 1. Hakodate Morning Market for a seafood breakfast (
15 min–1 hr).Take the tram to 2. Goryokaku and visit the observation tower (
30 min–2 hrs).Take the tram to 3. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden to see monkeys bathing in hot springs (
about 30 min, only in winter).Take the tram to 4. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse for lunch and shopping (
30 min–2 hrs).Walk up 5. Hachiman-zaka Slope and explore nearby churches and old Western buildings (
30 min–2 hrs).End the day by walking to the 6. Mount Hakodate Ropeway Station, ride the cable car up for sunset, then enjoy the night view from the observatory café. This “Million Dollar Night View” is the highlight of Hakodate (
about 2 hrs).
Attractions in Hakodate
1. Hakodate Morning Market
Hakodate’s most famous market, starting as a post-war black market in 1945. At its peak, it had over 400 stalls, now about 250, offering fresh seafood and local produce mainly to tourists.
Hours: Jan–Apr 6:00–14:00; May–Dec 5:00–14:00
Recommended Visit Time: 15 min–1 hr
Official Site: hakodate-asaichi.com
Getting There: Across from JR Hakodate Station, 3 min walk
Tips for Visiting:
① Have breakfast with seafood bowls (sashimi, sea urchin, etc.) or try fresh king crab cooked on the spot.
② Try the famous squid fishing experience for around ¥1,500 per squid, which they’ll turn into sashimi right away.
③ Taste local fruits like Yubari melon and Aomori apples
Watch: Japanese Street Food | Hakodate Morning Market
2. Goryokaku
Built in 1864 with a European-style star shape to defend against foreign threats and strengthen control of Hokkaido. The grounds have about 1,600 cherry trees, making late April–early May the best season to visit. The Observation Tower was built in 2006 and is 107m tall with 360° views.
Hours:9:00–18:00
Admission: Adults ¥1,200; High school ¥900; Elementary ¥600
Recommended Visit Time: 30 min–2 hrs
Official Site: goryokaku-tower.co.jp
Getting There: Tram lines 2/5 to Goryokaku-koen-mae Station then 10 min walk. Or Hakodate Bus to Goryokaku Park Entrance then 5 min walk.
Watch: 函館市熱帯植物園に行ってみた 函館市観光
Photo Highlights:
3. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden
Opened in 1989, home to about 3,000 tropical and subtropical plant species. The highlight is the monkey hot spring in winter.
Hours: Apr–Oct 9:30–18:00; Nov–Mar 9:30–16:30 (closed Dec 29–Jan 1)
Admission: Adults ¥300; Students ¥100
Recommended Visit Time: 30 min
Official Site: hako-eco.com
Tips for Visiting:
① Buy monkey food (¥100) for fun interactions.
② Stroll along the seaside path next to the garden.
Getting There:
Tram lines 2/5 to Yunokawa Station then 15 min walk. Or Hakodate Bus 95/95A/96 to In front of tropical botanical garden then 3 min walk.
Watch: 函館市熱帯植物園に行ってみた 函館市観光
4. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Built in the late 19th century by merchant Kanemori Sōzō for trade storage. Similar warehouses exist in Otaru, Kobe, Yokohama, and Nagasaki. Today, they house shops and restaurants.
Hours: Shops 9:30–19:00; Restaurants 11:00–21:30
Recommended Visit Time: 30 min–2 hrs
Official Site: hakodate-kanemori.com
Tips for Visiting:
① Visit Meijikan for glassware and music boxes (like Otaru, but cheaper).
② Try Lucky Pierrot (Hakodate-only burger chain, founded by Chinese entrepreneur Ichirō Wang in 1987). The signature is the “Chinese Chicken Burger.”
Getting There:
Tram lines 2/5 to Jujigai Station then 15 min walk. Or Hakodate Bus to Meijikan-mae or Kanamori Yobutsukan & Bay Hakodate-mae then 3 min walk.
Watch: Japan Hokkaido Hakodate Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Watch: 2D1N Hakodate Vlog | Lucky Pierrot, Kanemori Warehouse
5. Hachiman-zaka Slope & Motomachi Churches
Hachiman-zaka is a scenic slope leading straight to the sea. Photos online often look better due to telephoto lens effects, so expect a simpler view in person.
Nearby is the Motomachi Church area with several historic buildings:
Motomachi Catholic Church: Free entry. Built by French missionaries. Gothic style.
Russian Orthodox Church: ¥200 entry. Built by Russian missionaries. White walls, green dome, Byzantine style.
St. John’s Anglican Church: Free entry. Built by British missionaries. Wooden cross-shaped design.
Former British Consulate: ¥300 entry. Closed in 1934, now an exhibition hall and tearoom.
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward: ¥300 entry. Used for official events and VIP receptions. Mix of colonial and Renaissance styles.
Recommended Visit Time: 30 min–2 hrs
Getting There: 5 min walk from Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
Watch: 市電大町駅から八幡坂・公会堂
Watch: Hokkaido and Hakodate! Japan’s Northern Island!
6. Mount Hakodate Night View
Mount Hakodate is often advertised as one of the “Three Great Night Views of the World” (more of a marketing slogan). It is also called the “Million Dollar Night View” originally referring to the number of lights seen from above.
Hours: Mid-Apr–Sep 9:00–21:50; Oct–Mid-Apr 10:00–20:50
Ropeway Timetable: See here
Sunset Time: See here
Admission: Free
Ropeway: Adults ¥1,200 one-way / ¥1,800 round-trip. Children half-price.
Recommended Visit Time: 15 min to 2 hrs (sunset + dinner + night view).
Official Site: 334.co.jp
Tips for Visiting:
① Go 1 hour before sunset to see the view change from daylight to night.
② Observatory has a restaurant and café, but often crowded.
③ Very cold in winter, dress warmly.
Getting There:
① From JR Hakodate Station, tram to Jujigai Station then 10 min walk to ropeway station.
② From JR Hakodate Station, bus No. 3 or Yunokawa Line A to Ropeway-mae 10–15 min ride, ¥210–250.
③ Apr–early Sep: direct bus from JR Hakodate Station to summit, about 30 min, ¥700.
④ Apr–early Sep: taxi from JR Hakodate Station to summit, about 15 min. Round trip with waiting costs ¥5,000–7,500. Flat-rate taxi also available (¥6,880, 60 min).
Note: Cars are not allowed on the summit in winter—only ropeway is available.
Watch: Mt Hakodate Observatory Evening to Night view
Photo Highlights:
by Daniel Beauchamp
Thank you for reading, and hope you have a wonderful journey!
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