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Last update: 20 Oct 2026
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Hakodate Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
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‘Suited for’ badges:
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Suited for
Japan – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A
Type A:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections. |
| New Year (January) |
One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead. |
|---|---|
| Golden Week (April-May) |
The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport. |
| Obon (August) |
A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi |
| Other: | Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Hakodate, Japan
Cherry blossoms at Goryokaku Park late April to early May
Hakodate Port Festival 1 to 5 August, with parades and fireworks
Squid season June to December, freshest at the morning market
Don't miss
- 🌇 View the cityscape from Mount Hakodate at sunset
- 🏰 Explore the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort and tower
- 🦀 Visit Hakodate Morning Market for fresh seafood
- 🏘️ Stroll through Motomachi historic district’s Western architecture
- ♨️ Relax in Yunokawa Onsen hot spring baths
- 🛍️ Tour Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses for shopping and dining
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Hakodate?
Hakodate is known for its night view from Mt. Hakodate. A ropeway takes about 3 minutes to the top and the city lights are between two bays. Many visitors go in the evening to see them lit up. The summit also works in the day for views over the bay. Motomachi is the old foreign quarter on the slopes below, with churches, Western-style buildings and stone-paved hills near the water. The Bay Area at the foot has converted red-brick warehouses with shops and cafes. Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort, now a park famous for cherry blossoms. A 107 m tower has an aerial view. The morning market near the station has about 250 stalls with seafood and produce. Yunokawa Onsen is a hot spring resort at the end of the tram line near the airport. Onuma Park, a lake and woodland area, is a half-day trip outside the city. Plan at least two days, with an evening for the night view. It combines well with Sapporo or Otaru. Summer is considered the best season, while winter is cold with heavy snow.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
-
1
Hakodateyama Ropeway
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🍽️Eat & Drink
-
1
Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Honten
Founded more than 90 years ago, Ajisai is a long-running Hakodate ramen shop known for clear shio ramen. Its main branch stands in Goryokaku, near the star-shaped fort, and also serves soy-sauce and miso variations. -
2
Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro
Lucky Pierrot began in Hakodate in 1987 and remains a regional chain centred on the city. The Marina Suehiro branch is near the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses, serving its Chinese Chicken Burger, curry rice and towering burgers. -
3
Hasegawa Store Bay Area
Founded in 1958, Hasegawa Store is a Hakodate-area convenience-store chain credited with creating Yakitori Bento in 1978. Its Bay Area branch grills pork skewers to order over seaweed-topped rice, five minutes from Suehirocho tram stop. -
4
Gourmet Kaitenzushi Kantaro Ugaura Honten
Kantaro is a Hakodate-born conveyor-belt sushi restaurant serving nigiri, maki and gunkan-zushi with Hokkaido seafood. Its Ugaura main branch lies on the waterfront south of Hakodate Station, near the sea-facing Omori Beach area. -
5
Tea Shop Yuuhi
Tea Shop Yuuhi serves Japanese tea and sweets from an 1885 former Hakodate Quarantine Station building. It stands in Funami-cho on the western slopes of the city, where its windows look across the harbour and evening sky. -
6
Ramen Shinano
Ramen Shinano focuses on Hakodate-style shio ramen, the city’s light, salt-seasoned noodle speciality. It is located near the Daimon entertainment district, within walking distance of Hakodate Station and the morning-market area. -
7
Ikasei Daimonten
Ikasei Daimonten is a seafood izakaya opened in 2016 as a second Hakodate location of Ikasei. It serves seasonal seafood and squid dishes in Wakamatsu-cho, a short walk from Hakodate Station and Daimon Yokocho. -
8
Hakodate Morning Market Donburi Yokocho
Donburi Yokocho is a cluster of seafood-bowl eateries within Hakodate Morning Market, in front of Hakodate Station. Its stalls prepare kaisen-don topped with ingredients such as squid, salmon roe, crab and sea urchin from southern Hokkaido waters. -
9
Jiyoken
Jiyoken is a long-established Western-style Japanese restaurant in Hakodate, serving dishes such as omelet rice, curry and cutlets. It is located in the Motomachi area, among the historic streets below the Ropeway and Mount Hakodate. -
10
LR Tacos & Local Dishes
LR Tacos combines Mexican-style tacos with Hokkaido ingredients, including Hakodate-caught fish, Ezo deer and seasonal vegetables. It occupies a retro setting in the city and represents a newer local take on Hakodate’s seafood and farm produce.
🎈Events
-
Hakodate Goryokaku Festival (May)
-
Hakodate Port Festival (August)
-
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy (December)
-
Hakodate Marathon (July)
-
Hakodate Night View Festival
-
Motomachi Roman Festival
-
Hakodate Fireworks Festival
-
Onuma Lake Festival
-
Hakodate Cherry Blossom Festival (April/May)
Knowledge before you go
- Take the tram to Jujigai for the ropeway and warehouses.
- Both tram routes share most of the line and split near Mt. Hakodate, so check the destination sign.
- Goryokaku's star shape shows best from the tower, a 10-minute walk from the tram stop.
- Yunokawa Onsen has hot spring baths and is a short ride from the airport, so it suits a last night.
How to travel to Hakodate
Trains and flights are the main ways to arrive. From Tokyo, the Hokkaido Shinkansen takes about 4 hours to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, which is about 15 km north of the centre. A relay train covers the last stretch to Hakodate Station in about 20 minutes. From Sapporo, the Super Hokuto limited express takes around 3.5 hours. Hakodate Airport (HKD) is about 5 km east of the centre and has flights from Tokyo Haneda in about 80 minutes. Shuttle buses take about 20 minutes to the centre and regular buses take about 30. Flights also connect with other Japanese cities. By road the city is a long drive from Sapporo and most visitors use trains or flights instead.
Access summary
- From Hakodate Airport (HKD): Shuttle or city bus to station, about 20–30 minutes.
- From Tokyo: Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, relay train, around 4.5 hours.
- From Sapporo: Limited Express Hokuto train to Hakodate, roughly 3.5–4 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Hakodate
Most visitors stay near Hakodate Station and the morning market, where hotels are easy to reach from the relay train and the tram. The Bay Area and Motomachi have hotels close to the red-brick warehouses and the churches, which suits an evening walk. Both areas are on the tram line. Yunokawa Onsen has hot spring ryokan and hotels with baths and is near the airport. It suits a night after a flight or a relaxed final evening. Staying there means a tram ride into the centre in the morning. Hakodate is busiest in summer, so book early for July and August.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
La'gent Stay Hakodate Ekimae
JR INN Hakodate
Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Umi to Akari Hewitt Resort
Hotel Global View Hakodate
La Vista Hakodate Bay -Kyoritsu Resort
Premier Hotel-CABIN PRESIDENT-Hakodate
Tokyustay Hakodate Asaichi Akarinoyu
Hakodate Kokusai Hotel
CENTURY MARINA HAKODATE
La'gent Plaza Hakodate Hokuto
How to get around Hakodate
Trams are the main way to see Hakodate.
Tram lines:
Two lines run along the same route and split only near Mt. Hakodate, one ending at Yachigashira and the other at Hakodate-Dokkumae. They come every 6 to 12 minutes during the day and stop at Hakodate Station, Motomachi, the Bay Area, Goryokaku and Yunokawa. Fares are paid when you get off and IC cards work.
Tram stops:
For Mt. Hakodate and the red-brick warehouses, get off at Jujigai and walk uphill for about 7 minutes. For Motomachi, get off at Suehirocho. Goryokaku is a 10-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koenmae. A one-day tram pass is sold at the tourist information centre at Hakodate Station.
Buses and cars:
Buses also reach the sights, including a shuttle from Hakodate Station to the ropeway. A car isn't needed in the city but helps for day trips such as Onuma Park.
Food in Hakodate
Seafood from the waters around Hokkaido is the main food in Hakodate. Convenience stores near the station cover quick meals and the Bay Area has cafes and sweet shops. Seafood is central to the cuisine so vegetarians will find fewer options and should ask before ordering.
Squid and seafood:
Squid is the local speciality, served as sashimi and in rice bowls. Sea urchin, crab and salmon roe are other seasonal options.
Morning market:
The market near the station is the easiest place for a seafood breakfast, with restaurants serving rice bowls topped with local fish. Many stalls close by midday.
Salt ramen:
Salt ramen is the local noodle style and comes with a clear light broth.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Hakodate are around 10% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Hakodate is very safe for travellers, with low crime in the centre and around the station. The main risks are natural. Winter brings snow and ice on the Motomachi slopes. Strong winds and sea fog can affect the harbour and the ropeway.
Health & Medical
Health risks are low and the city has hospitals and clinics. English-speaking care is limited, so carry travel insurance. Winters are cold with heavy snow, so dress warmly for ice and wind. Summers are mild and comfortable for walking.
Accessibility
The Bay Area and station area are mostly flat and the tram runs along the main streets. Motomachi is steep with stone-paved slopes, which is hard for wheelchairs and tiring for older visitors. Snow and ice in winter make the hills harder to walk.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink in Hakodate and across Hokkaido. Vending machines and convenience stores sell bottled drinks near the station and the Bay Area. A refillable bottle is useful on summer days of walking.
Packing recommendations for Hakodate
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
summer
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small rucksack
🩱
Swimwear
for hot springs
👛
Cash in small denominations
some places are cash-only
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
winter
🧤
Warm gloves
winter
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
especially in winter
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
Type A/B
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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