A Journey to Hakodate Enchanted by History and Night Views

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I visited Hakodate for a two-night, three-day trip. Hakodate, located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, is a port town known for its historic buildings, delicious seafood, and beautiful night views. While it can snow in winter, it adds to the town's charm. During my trip, I explored the night view from Mount Hakodate, Goryokaku, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Yahata-zaka, and Motomachi Park. (May 23, 2023 – May 25, 2023)

Day 1

Departure from Itami Airport: 11:15 AM (ANA Flight 745)

Arrival at Hakodate Airport: 12:50 PM

A shuttle bus runs from Hakodate Airport to Hakodate Station. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs 500 yen (Hakodate Teisan Bus, Platform 3). After arriving at Hakodate Station, I headed to Hakodate Morning Market for lunch. The morning market opens every day at 5 AM and features fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits. I ordered a seafood bowl and beer at the nearby Donburi Yokocho, which was delicious.

Afterwards, I left my luggage at the Century Marina Hakodate, registered a 4,000 yen travel support coupon on my smartphone app, and walked to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. These warehouses, built during the Meiji era, are now used as shopping malls and art museums. The red brick walls of the warehouses and the blue sea create a striking contrast, making it a landmark in the Hokkaido Hakodate Bay area. I took a break at the souvenir shops and cafes inside the warehouses.

Next, I climbed the maze-like Yahata-zaka steps, which have been featured in filming locations in the past. Looking back, the beauty of Hakodate Bay from the steps was breathtaking. In the evening, I rode the Hakodate Mountain Ropeway, which was one of the main purposes of my trip, up to Mount Hakodate. At 334 meters above sea level, Mount Hakodate offers a panoramic view of Hakodate city and the Tsugaru Strait. The night view is considered one of Japan’s three great night views and was indescribably beautiful. The scenery, where the sky and earth seem to merge, was mesmerizing. The city lights stretched out like stars, captivating my heart. From the ropeway’s observation deck, the night view was enchanting with the city lights shining brightly. However, there were many tourists, and the mountaintop was still as cold as midwinter. Although I brought a tripod for night photography, there was no place to set it up, so I managed to take photos using the hand-held night mode. It seems that summer after June might be a better time to visit. I ended the first day and returned to the hotel to rest. My step counter showed 18,000 steps.

【Century Marina Hakodate】

Day 2

One of the highlights of staying at the Century Marina Hakodate is the breakfast. The breakfast features a “Japanese food corner,” “Western food corner,” “salad bar,” “beverage station,” and “desserts.” I enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine in the morning, and of course, the drinks are free and unlimited.

In the morning, I took the tram (Hakodate City Tram Line 2, heading towards Yunokawa) and got off at Goryokaku Park-mae to explore Goryokaku Park. Goryokaku is a star-shaped fortress built during the late Edo period, and it is now open to the public as a park. Within the park, you can find Goryokaku Tower, the Goryokaku Museum, and Goryokaku Shrine. Goryokaku Tower is a tourist facility where you can view the remnants of Goryokaku from above. Standing 107 meters tall (including the lightning rod), the 90-meter observation deck offers a panoramic view of the star-shaped fortress. The entrance fee is 1,000 yen, though discounts are available. They also collected data, asking where visitors were from. I had Goryokaku curry at the tower’s restaurant, and it was rich and very delicious.

In the afternoon, I revisited the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses and Motomachi Park. At the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, I leisurely explored BAY Hakodate, Kanemori Western Museum, and Hakodate History Plaza. At Motomachi Park, I enjoyed the evening scenery while strolling around. The slopes and Western-style buildings were bathed in orange light, creating a very romantic atmosphere. This concluded my trip to Hakodate. My step counter recorded 20,000 steps for the day.

【Century Marina Hakodate】