Hakodate: See the City on a Three-Day, Two-Day or Half-Day Itinerary!

Hakodate: Impressive Architecture and Gourmet Cuisine!

Hakodate is an attraction-filled city where you can enjoy townscapes with an exotic flavor, stunning night views, and fresh seafood.

This article introduces model itineraries for people sightseeing in Hakodate. Please read on to find the perfect itinerary just for you―from a half-day itinerary for those with limited time all the way to a leisurely three-day sightseeing plan!

Three-Day Itinerary: Enjoy Beautiful Nature, Hot Springs, and Famous Spots

With so many highlights we recommend spending two nights and three days in Hakodate so you can take your time and see all the sights.

With that in mind, we now introduce a three-day model itinerary for sightseeing in Hakodate. If you rent a car on the second day of this itinerary, getting around will become even more convenient.

Day One-Afternoon: Motomachi Area

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

The Motomachi area is one of Hakodate's classic sightseeing spots where you can enjoy its historic buildings and streetscapes. It takes about nine minutes by streetcar to get from Hakodate Station to Suehiro-cho where the Motomachi district is located.

Motomachi is home to many sightseeing spots including a monument commemorating Commodore Perry's arrival in Japan, the former British Consulate in Hakodate, the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, and the Hakodate Orthodox Church.

If you get tired from walking around this area, you can take a rest break at Motomachi Park. This western-style park was developed as an urban park and offers a commanding view of Hakodate Bay.

It takes about two hours to walk around the Motomachi area.

Day One-Evening: Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

In the evening on Day One let's ride the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway and enjoy the stunning night view. It takes about 25 minutes by streetcar to get here from Hakodate Station, and about 10 minutes on foot from the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward.

The ropeway makes its ascent up the mountain every 15 minutes (normal times) and reaches the summit in about three minutes. The summit has a restaurant and a tea lounge with a panoramic night view.

The restaurant features twelve window-side tables. Reservations for the course meal that includes the ropeway are limited to three dining parties per day.

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Motomachi 19-7
Business Hours: April 20 to Sept. 30 (10:00 - 22:00), Oct. 1 to April 19 (10:00 - 21:00)
Official Homepage: Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

After enjoying Hakodate's scenic night view, we recommend staying at a hotel in the Hakodate Station area.

Day Two-Morning: Onuma Park

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

Onuma Park is a beautiful spot where you can encounter seasonal views and natural creatures.

Visitors here can experience a wide array of activities. These include canoeing and cycling in the summer, and snowshoeing and fishing for Japanese smelt in the winter.

It takes about 40 minutes by car to reach the park from Hakodate Station (about 50 minutes by regular train).

Lake Onuma has 126 small islands of various sizes. You can enjoy island hopping by following the walking courses (many of which are connected to the islands by small bridges). The view of Mt. Komagatake, an active volcano that is also Hakodate's symbol, and the tranquil lakes and marshes are impressive.

Onuma Park
Location: Hokkaido, Kameda, Nanae
Official Homepage: Onuma Park

Day Two-Afternoon: Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118

Picture courtesy of Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118 (Japanese)

Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118 is a shop on the premises of Hakodate Milk's production facility. Here they sell dairy products directly to consumers, including soft ice cream and cheese using freshly made milk.

It takes about 30 minutes by car to reach Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118 from Onuma Park, and about 30 minutes from Hakodate Station.

The shop features an extensive menu that includes soft ice cream, sundaes, parfaits, and other items that use generous amounts of milk. This is perfect when you're feeling a little hungry during your sightseeing adventure. Visitors can also participate in a butter-making workshop (reservations required).

Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Nakano 118
Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 - 16:00 *Hours can depend on the season.
Closed: Wednesdays (Open daily from April to November).
Official Homepage: Hakodate Milk Ice Cream 118 (Japanese)

Day Two-Afternoon: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a Hakodate Bay area landmark.

This complex consists of four facilities including a shopping area and a multi-purpose hall. So visitors here can enjoy events, gourmet food, and shopping. It's only five minutes from Hakodate Station by streetcar.

The sight of red-brick warehouses lined up along this quay area creates a retro and sophisticated mood. At night it's romantic when the buildings are lit up.

There's also a 15-minute cruise that goes around Hakodate Bay (adults 2,000 yen).

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Suehiro 14-12
Business Hours: 9:30 - 19:00 (Retail store)
Official Homepage: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is also featured in the Two-Day Itinerary later in this article. This is a classic sightseeing spot so we also recommend it on the Three-Day Itinerary. The Hakodate Station area is very convenient for accommodation.

Day Three-Morning: Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden features many unusual tropical plants and flowers.

This is a botanical garden where visitors can experience the feeling of eternal summer. From Hakodate Station it takes about 25 minutes by streetcar to get to the garden (about 15 minutes by car).

Inside the garden you can enjoy colorful plants that change with the seasons, a mountain that's inhabited by many monkeys, and a greenhouse that displays many tropical plants and flowers.

There's also a foot bath that's available for park visitors which is the perfect spot for easing your travel fatigue. During the winter you can also see monkeys taking a soak in a special hot spring.

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Yunokawa 3-1-15
Business Hours: April to October (9:30 - 18:00), November to March (9:30 - 16:30).
Closed: December 29 to January 1
Official Homepage: Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Japanese)

Day Three-Afternoon: Yunokawa Hot Springs Resort

Photo by Pixta

Yunokawa Hot Springs is a famous hot spring and one of Hokkaido's three major hot spring resorts. It's only five minutes by car from Hakodate Airport, about two minutes from Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, and about 45 minutes by train from Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station.

Yunokawa Hot Springs is close to the heart of the city, so even if you stop in on your final day, you can still have a relaxing experience. There are several hot springs available for day-trippers, so it's nice to know that you can easily stop in for a dip.

Yunokawa Hot Springs Resort
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Yunokawa 2-7-6
Business Hours: Depends on each facility
Closed: Depends on each facility
Official Homepage: Yunokawa Hot Springs Resort

Two-Day Itinerary: See Impressive Architecture on a Travel Plan for Adults!

Even on a shorter Two-Day Itinerary, you can still thoroughly enjoy historic architecture and beautiful night views if you plan your travel route efficiently.

Day One-Morning: Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate is Japan's first Russian Orthodox cathedral.

The white plaster walls and the green roof made up of copper panels is strikingly beautiful. This church is considered one of Hakodate's most famous buildings.

From Hakodate Station it only takes 15 minutes to get here by streetcar or on foot.

The church bell has a very distinctive sound and was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Soundscapes. They ring the bell at the start and at the end of prayers. So if your timing is right you might have a chance to hear it.

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Motomachi 3-13
Business Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00, Sat. 10:00 - 16:00, Sun. 13:00 - 16:00.
In winter (Dec. 26 to mid-March) church visits are suspended except for prayers.
Official Homepage: Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate (Japanese)

Day One-Afternoon: Hakodate Meijikan

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

For lunch we recommend Lucky Pierrot (Main Shop), a fun restaurant with a retro interior featuring swing seating. This is Hakodate's premier hamburger shop where the Chinese Chicken Burger is very popular.

Lucky Pierrot (Main Shop)
Official Homepage: Lucky Pierrot

In the afternoon on Day One we recommend visiting Hakodate Meijikan, just a six-minute walk from Lucky Pierrot. At this shopping mall you can pick up some interesting souvenirs such as Hokkaido folk craft, glassware, and music boxes.

Visitors can also join a workshop and make their own music box or create their own unique glassware in a process called sandblasting.

Hakodate Meijikan
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Toyokawa 11-17
Business Hours: 9:30 - 18:00
Closed: Wednesdays, the second Thursday of each month
Official Homepage: Hakodate Meijikan

In the evening on Day One, if you stay the night at a spot in the Hakodate Station area, you'll be able to get Day Two off to a good start.

Day Two-Morning: Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

For breakfast on Day Two we recommend the Hakodate Morning Market, right beside Hakodate Station. Afterwards, we'll go to a monastery of nuns, the Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians. This is a 35-minute bus ride from Hakodate Station plus a ten-minute walk.

At the Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians you can tour the front garden, the shop, and the adjoining archives room. The madeleine (French pastry) and cookies, made on the premises, are popular souvenirs.

Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Kamiyunokawa 346
Business Hours: 9:00 - 11:30, 14:00 - 16:30
Official Homepage: Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians

Day Two-Afternoon: Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

Picture courtesy of PhotoAC

The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward was built in 1910. This is a good example of Western-style architecture and was designated an Important Cultural Property.

To get here from Hakodate Station it's about nine minutes by streetcar plus a three-minute walk. From the Trappistine Abbey of the Order of Cistercians it takes about one hour via bus and streetcar.

At the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, furnishings from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) are on display even today, giving you a sense of the changing times.

At the Rental Costume Room inside the building, visitors can rent dresses and hakama (long pleated Japanese trousers) from the Meiji Period and have their picture taken.

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
Location: Hokkaido, Hakdate, Motomachi 11-13
Business Hours:
April 1 to October 31 (Tuesday-Friday) 9:00 - 18:00, (Saturday-Monday) 9:00 - 19:00
November 1 to March 31 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: December 31 to January 3
Official Homepage: Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward (PDF file).

Day Two-Evening: Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

The Mt. Hakodate Ropeway is a classic sightseeing spot so we also recommend including it during the Two-Day Itinerary. Take your time and enjoy this magnificent night view―considered to be one of The World's Top Three Night Views.

Half-Day Itinerary: See All the Classic Sights by Bus and Streetcar!

Half-Day: Experience the Splendor of Goryokaku Tower

Finally, we introduce a Half-Day Travel Itinerary for Hakodate sightseeing that starts in the afternoon.

Even with somewhat limited time, we can fully experience Hakodate's charm if we visit the spots that give a sense of the city's history and exotic atmosphere, and see the city's magnificent scenery from a good vantage point.

First we'll enjoy the international flavor and retro atmosphere of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, the spot that was also featured in the Three-Day Itinerary.

Next, we'll head for Japan's first Western-style castle, Goryokaku Tower.

To get to Goryokaku Tower, we start by hopping on a Hakodate Bus in front of Hakodate Station. Then we'll disembark at Goryokaku Park Iriguchi bus stop and walk for about five minutes. From Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse it takes about 45 minutes by bus.

From the observation deck 90 meters above ground you get impressive views of Mt. Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, and the Yokotsu Mountain Range.

Goryokaku Tower
Location: Hokkaido, Hakodate, Goryokaku 43-9
Business Hours: 9:00 - 18:00
Official Homepage: Goryokaku Tower

Enjoy Hakodate on a Half-Day, Two-Day, or Three-Day Itinerary!

If you refer to these model itineraries during your Hakodate sightseeing, you'll be able to get around smoothly and efficiently, and see all the main sights.

So using today's article as a reference, please create your own unique travel plan according to the length of your stay in Hakodate!

Main image courtesy of PhotoAC
Written by Cakutama editorial team