The city of Hakodate sits nestled in the south of Hokkaido and used to be famous in days gone by as one of the main trade ports in Japan. Nowadays, Hakodate has grown to be the third largest city in Hokkaido, and is known for its wealth of tourist attractions and gorgeous scenery that saw it voted the Japan’s most attractive city in 2015. Sitting at the base of Mount Hakodate, the city is also known for its food scene and number of outdoor venues where you can take in the majesty of the surrounding natural beauty. One of the great joys of a trip to Hakodate is the chance to take in the museums, galleries, glass workshops, and other delights of the city. There is also a dedicated tramway here for which the city is famous, and you can enjoy a trip across town to take in all the sights that way. Once you have enjoyed all that the center of Hakodate has to offer, you can head out to the suburbs where just a 20 minute train ride will take to you gorgeous unspoiled parklands.



Getting to Hakodate:
Hakodate is easily reached from Hakodate Airport and is just 20 minutes away by bus at a cost of ¥300.

If you fly in to Chitose Airport, it is a 2 hour train ride to Hakodate.

You can also use the railway system to get to Hakodate from Tokyo but will need to change trains. Tickets start at ¥19,200 although it will work out cheaper if you buy a Japan Rail Pass instead of single tickets.

There are also buses that travel overnight from Tokyo to Hakodate.

Tourist Attractions:
Mount Hakodate:
If you want to get the absolute best views of Hakodate, then head to Mount Hakodate. The vistas from the top are said to be some of the best in Japan, and you can take them in from a variety of viewing platforms. To get to the top you can either use a ropeway or go by bus. At the top of Mount Hakodate you can find attractions such as Tsugaru Fort which was used during the Second World War.


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Fort Goryokaku:
Fort Goryokaku dates from 1864 and is notable for having been built in the shape of a star. Much of the fort has now fallen into disrepair and no longer stands, but you will find a serene park which is a must-visit during the cherry blossom season. Inside the remaining parts of the fort you will find a museum with galleries that tell the story of local history in Hakodate.



Onuma Park:
If you want to see a different side of Hakodate then head out to the suburbs where you will find the delightful Onuma Park. The park is not actually a designated national park, but it may as well be, as it is covered in mountains, areas of lush forestlands, and crystal clear lakes. Access to the park is easy with an express train from JR Hakodate Station, and the trip takes approximately 20 minutes.



Yunokawa Hot Springs:
Hokkaido is known for its onsen, also known as hot springs, and Yunokawa Onsen is said to be one of the best. The resort is located close to the seaside, and with that in mind the bathhouses here look out over the water so that you can take in the beautiful vistas as you soak away your aches and pains.

Shopping and Duty Free:
Morning Market:
The morning market in Hakodate is not to be missed, and you will find a huge range of local goods here including the seafood for which this city is most famous. These include Hokkaido crabs and aside from the fresh produce on display you will also find a variety of local cafes and restaurants serving breakfast.

Glassworks:
Hokkaido in general is known for its pretty glassworks and these can also be purchased in the Meijikan area in the former Post Office building.

Music Boxes:
As with other areas of Hokkaido like Sapporo and Otaru, music boxes came to Hakodate thanks to European trade routes, and these are still popular souvenirs sold in this city. You can also find music boxes sold in the old Meijikan Post Office.

Deals:
One of the best ways to get around Hakodate is to that the streetcar that runs from the train station. You can purchase a day pass for ¥600 which will work out cheaper than buying single tickets.

You can also buy a one day pass that includes both the streetcar and the bus network that costs ¥1,000.

The day pass also offers you discounts to some attractions in Hakodate such as a discount on the ropeway to Mount Hakodate and access to the Goryokaku Tower.


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Recommended times to visit:
Many visitors to Hakodate come in the summer season which runs roughly from May to October. You can expect it to be busiest around July and August.

Hokkaido is also known for its snowfall and visitors also consider this to be a winter destination. The winter seasons runs from November to April, after which time much of the snow melts.

October and November are considered good times to visit Hakodate as they fall during the ‘Yellow Leaf Season’ when summer turns to autumn and you can see the gorgeous yellow leaves across the many parks here. This is usually also the time before the snowfall, so if you want to avoid the extreme cold then this can be an opportune moment to come.