Hokkaido's third largest city, located at the island's southern tip. Hakodate is best known for the spectacular views to be enjoyed from Mount Hakodate and its delicious, fresh seafood. After the end of Japan’s long isolationist policy, Hakodate become open to American ships in 1854 and open to general trade in 1858. It is also the site of Japans first western style fort, called Goryoku, built in the shape of a five pointed star. Hakodate also served as the capital of Hokkaido for two years from 1869 to 1871. Although its importance has declined somewhat in recent years, it still serves as a sea port and transit area to the main island of Honshu and also as a trading port to other parts of Japan and the world.
Located on a peninsula with two bays cutting in at each side, the city of Hakodate stretches in a north-west to south-east direction. Hakodate main station and Hakodate pier are both approximately located in the center of the city. Most of the historical sections of the city are near the southern end. Also located at the southern end of the city is Mt Hakodateyama. It rises well above the city and offers a spectacular view over the city and surrounding ocean. It is said to be one of the most beautiful views in the world. The northern area of the city is the most modern area and offers the best shopping. What remains of the first western style fort built in Japan and and the last hold-out of the Tokugawa Shogunate sammurai warriors, named Goryoku fort, can also be seen in this area. Hakodate offers a small tram system and bus network to get around the city. The trams are a very convenient way to see most of the sights in Hakodate and are reccomended.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT....
Morning Market // Since the end of Japans isolationist policy and the opening of ports such as Hakodate to foreign trading ships and fishing vessels, Hakodate has had its now famous Morning Market. The market is held daily between 5am and Mid-day near the main train stations west entrance. Many types of fruits and seafood are sold here. Hokkaido crabs and sea urchin are considered among the best in Japan. The are also many seafood restaurants in this area serving fresh, delicious seafood meals. In this area (approximately five minute walk) is the moored Mashu Maru Memorial Ship. Once used as a ferry between the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido it now serves as a great places to relax and have a coffee or meal at the restaurant located near the bow of the ship and gives a nice view of the bay and port area.
Mount Hakodate // Lying at the southern end of the central Hokkaido peninsula Mount Hakodate (Hakodateyama) is 334 meters high and allows a spectacular view of both the city and the Tsugaru Strait. On clear days and especially at night, the view of Hakodate from the mountain is quite amazing and is said to be amongst the three most beautiful views in the world. The cable car connects to an observatory at the top of the mountain. Inside there are souvenir shops, a restaurant with incredible views, and an events hall where monitors play a show about the four seasons of Hakodate. The temperature at the top of the mountain, even in summer, is slightly cool and winds can cause even cooler temperatures. The cable car which holds up to 125 people will depart every ten minutes in peak times. It is possible to drive to the top of the mountain in the warm months after the cable car service has finished operation for the day. (After approximately 10 pm)
Fort Goryōkaku (五稜郭) // Completed in 1864, this was Japan's first Western-style fortress and finished just in time for it to be occupied by the Ezo Republic as their headquarters. It never saw any action though, as the rebels surrendered peacefully. Most of the fort was consequently demolished and this is now a large park and popular cherry-blossom spot in spring. The fort also houses a small museum with exhibits on local history (rotating each year).
Goryōkaku Tower (五稜郭タワー) // From the 90-meter viewing platform you can get a striking view of the star-shaped fort. Neat dioramas tell the story of the the Enomoto and Ezo Republic (see sidebox), and the role of the fort in Hakodate's history; an English pamphlet is available. The views from Goryōkaku Tower is different on each season. In spring, you can enjoy seeing 1,600 cherry blossoms and the view from the tower is a best place to see them. However, it takes at least 3 hours to go up the tower in cherry blossom season because of the crowds. In summer, you can enjoy full green trees, and in fall you can enjoy the changing leaves. In winter, Goryōkaku is covered with snow and is illuminated at night. Adults ¥840, child & group discounts.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses // Originally built in 1909 by the Kanemori Beer and Shipping Company, these warehouses were remodeled in 1988 into a beer hall, shopping area and multi use hall. The harbor area and warehouse area a lovely place to spend a relaxing morning or a romantic stroll at night. Try the famous Hakodate beer which has been in production since 1898.
The Motomachi District // The Motomachi District is a beautiful area located between the port area and Hakodate Mountain just five minutes by streetcar from Hakodate main station. This area was favored by early Missions / Consuls and Trading Officers after the opening of Japan to the west. Many of Hakodate's beautiful and important assets can be found in this area. It is highly recommended to take the time to walk through this area to get the best that Hakodate has to offer. However this area is built entirely on hilly terrain and can get quite steep at times.
Old British Consulate (Port Memorial Hall) // The original British Consulate was built for the first English consul to come to Hokkaido in 1859. This structure was destroyed by fire in 1907 and the present building erected. The consulate ceased operation in 1934 but the building was given Municipal Tangible Cultural Property honors in 1979. Inside there are displays on various aspects of Japanese history and English-Japanese relations over the years. There is also a small cafe and a shop where various imported English goods can be purchased.
Old Russian Consulate // The first Russian consul general Goskevich came to his post in Hakodate in 1858. The first Russian consul arrived in Sapporo in 1858, however the current building was not constructed until 1908. This building however was in use as the Russian Consulate until 1944. During the second world war the Japanese government erected a tall wall around the building. The building is still in use as the "Southern Hokkaido Youth House" and as such visitors are not permitted inside.
Russian Orthodox Church // This church was first built in 1861 when Russian Orthodoxy was introduced to Japan by a priest named Nikolai and then rebuilt in 1916. The Byzantine-style Church is also locally known as "Gangan-dera or Ding-Dong Temple" due to the distinctive sounds of the bells.
Yunokawa Onsen // This hot spring area was discovered about 360 years ago and is the oldest hot spring area in Hokkaido. There are many hotels, inns and restaurants situated in this area overlooking the Straits of Tsugaru. It is also a popular swimming spot during the summer. The night scenery can be quite lovely with the lights of the fishing boats reflecting on the water. The spring water is salty but clear and is said to be of great value for your health. There are also some bathing areas for local monkeys where you may take some photos.
Located on a peninsula with two bays cutting in at each side, the city of Hakodate stretches in a north-west to south-east direction. Hakodate main station and Hakodate pier are both approximately located in the center of the city. Most of the historical sections of the city are near the southern end. Also located at the southern end of the city is Mt Hakodateyama. It rises well above the city and offers a spectacular view over the city and surrounding ocean. It is said to be one of the most beautiful views in the world. The northern area of the city is the most modern area and offers the best shopping. What remains of the first western style fort built in Japan and and the last hold-out of the Tokugawa Shogunate sammurai warriors, named Goryoku fort, can also be seen in this area. Hakodate offers a small tram system and bus network to get around the city. The trams are a very convenient way to see most of the sights in Hakodate and are reccomended.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT....
Morning Market // Since the end of Japans isolationist policy and the opening of ports such as Hakodate to foreign trading ships and fishing vessels, Hakodate has had its now famous Morning Market. The market is held daily between 5am and Mid-day near the main train stations west entrance. Many types of fruits and seafood are sold here. Hokkaido crabs and sea urchin are considered among the best in Japan. The are also many seafood restaurants in this area serving fresh, delicious seafood meals. In this area (approximately five minute walk) is the moored Mashu Maru Memorial Ship. Once used as a ferry between the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido it now serves as a great places to relax and have a coffee or meal at the restaurant located near the bow of the ship and gives a nice view of the bay and port area.
Mount Hakodate // Lying at the southern end of the central Hokkaido peninsula Mount Hakodate (Hakodateyama) is 334 meters high and allows a spectacular view of both the city and the Tsugaru Strait. On clear days and especially at night, the view of Hakodate from the mountain is quite amazing and is said to be amongst the three most beautiful views in the world. The cable car connects to an observatory at the top of the mountain. Inside there are souvenir shops, a restaurant with incredible views, and an events hall where monitors play a show about the four seasons of Hakodate. The temperature at the top of the mountain, even in summer, is slightly cool and winds can cause even cooler temperatures. The cable car which holds up to 125 people will depart every ten minutes in peak times. It is possible to drive to the top of the mountain in the warm months after the cable car service has finished operation for the day. (After approximately 10 pm)
Fort Goryōkaku (五稜郭) // Completed in 1864, this was Japan's first Western-style fortress and finished just in time for it to be occupied by the Ezo Republic as their headquarters. It never saw any action though, as the rebels surrendered peacefully. Most of the fort was consequently demolished and this is now a large park and popular cherry-blossom spot in spring. The fort also houses a small museum with exhibits on local history (rotating each year).
Goryōkaku Tower (五稜郭タワー) // From the 90-meter viewing platform you can get a striking view of the star-shaped fort. Neat dioramas tell the story of the the Enomoto and Ezo Republic (see sidebox), and the role of the fort in Hakodate's history; an English pamphlet is available. The views from Goryōkaku Tower is different on each season. In spring, you can enjoy seeing 1,600 cherry blossoms and the view from the tower is a best place to see them. However, it takes at least 3 hours to go up the tower in cherry blossom season because of the crowds. In summer, you can enjoy full green trees, and in fall you can enjoy the changing leaves. In winter, Goryōkaku is covered with snow and is illuminated at night. Adults ¥840, child & group discounts.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses // Originally built in 1909 by the Kanemori Beer and Shipping Company, these warehouses were remodeled in 1988 into a beer hall, shopping area and multi use hall. The harbor area and warehouse area a lovely place to spend a relaxing morning or a romantic stroll at night. Try the famous Hakodate beer which has been in production since 1898.
The Motomachi District // The Motomachi District is a beautiful area located between the port area and Hakodate Mountain just five minutes by streetcar from Hakodate main station. This area was favored by early Missions / Consuls and Trading Officers after the opening of Japan to the west. Many of Hakodate's beautiful and important assets can be found in this area. It is highly recommended to take the time to walk through this area to get the best that Hakodate has to offer. However this area is built entirely on hilly terrain and can get quite steep at times.
Old British Consulate (Port Memorial Hall) // The original British Consulate was built for the first English consul to come to Hokkaido in 1859. This structure was destroyed by fire in 1907 and the present building erected. The consulate ceased operation in 1934 but the building was given Municipal Tangible Cultural Property honors in 1979. Inside there are displays on various aspects of Japanese history and English-Japanese relations over the years. There is also a small cafe and a shop where various imported English goods can be purchased.
Old Russian Consulate // The first Russian consul general Goskevich came to his post in Hakodate in 1858. The first Russian consul arrived in Sapporo in 1858, however the current building was not constructed until 1908. This building however was in use as the Russian Consulate until 1944. During the second world war the Japanese government erected a tall wall around the building. The building is still in use as the "Southern Hokkaido Youth House" and as such visitors are not permitted inside.
Russian Orthodox Church // This church was first built in 1861 when Russian Orthodoxy was introduced to Japan by a priest named Nikolai and then rebuilt in 1916. The Byzantine-style Church is also locally known as "Gangan-dera or Ding-Dong Temple" due to the distinctive sounds of the bells.
Yunokawa Onsen // This hot spring area was discovered about 360 years ago and is the oldest hot spring area in Hokkaido. There are many hotels, inns and restaurants situated in this area overlooking the Straits of Tsugaru. It is also a popular swimming spot during the summer. The night scenery can be quite lovely with the lights of the fishing boats reflecting on the water. The spring water is salty but clear and is said to be of great value for your health. There are also some bathing areas for local monkeys where you may take some photos.
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