Hakodate itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Hakodate, day by day: the star-shaped Goryokaku fort and its tower, the morning market by the station, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses on the bay, the slopes and churches of the Motomachi hill and the night view from Mount Hakodate, then the Former British Consulate, the Trappistine Convent and the hot springs of Yunokawa as you add a day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Hakodate in 1 day
Day 1
Goryokaku Tower
Observation tower beside the fort, whose deck shows the full star shape of Goryokaku, white with cherry blossom in spring.
Goryokaku and the Hakodate Magistrate's Office
Western-style star-shaped fort of the 1860s where the Boshin War ended in 1869, with a park and the rebuilt Magistrate's Office.
Hakodate Morning Market
Covered market by Hakodate Station selling crab, squid and sea urchin, with stalls serving seafood bowls from early morning.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses
Brick warehouses on the bay from the port's trading days, now shops, beer halls and restaurants, lit up in the evening.
Hachiman-zaka slope
Straight, wide slope up the Motomachi hill with a famous view down to the harbour and the bay; best in the late afternoon.
Hakodate Orthodox Church
White Russian Orthodox church of 1916 with green domes, on the Motomachi hill; known locally for the sound of its bells.
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
Blue-and-yellow wooden hall of 1910 on the Motomachi hill, with a balcony looking over the harbour and Western-style rooms inside.
Mount Hakodate night view
Summit reached by ropeway, looking over the lights of the narrow city between two bays, one of Japan's best-known night views.
Hakodate in 2 days
Day 1
Hakodate Morning Market
Covered market by Hakodate Station selling crab, squid and sea urchin, with stalls serving seafood bowls from early morning.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses
Brick warehouses on the bay from the port's trading days, now shops, beer halls and restaurants, lit up in the evening.
Hachiman-zaka slope
Straight, wide slope up the Motomachi hill with a famous view down to the harbour and the bay; best in the late afternoon.
Hakodate Orthodox Church
White Russian Orthodox church of 1916 with green domes, on the Motomachi hill; known locally for the sound of its bells.
Former British Consulate of Hakodate
Former consulate of 1913 below the Motomachi hill, with a small museum on the port's opening, an English garden and tea room.
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
Blue-and-yellow wooden hall of 1910 on the Motomachi hill, with a balcony looking over the harbour and Western-style rooms inside.
Mount Hakodate night view
Summit reached by ropeway, looking over the lights of the narrow city between two bays, one of Japan's best-known night views.
Day 2
Goryokaku Tower
Observation tower beside the fort, whose deck shows the full star shape of Goryokaku, white with cherry blossom in spring.
Goryokaku and the Hakodate Magistrate's Office
Western-style star-shaped fort of the 1860s where the Boshin War ended in 1869, with a park and the rebuilt Magistrate's Office.
Trappistine Convent
Japan's first convent for women, founded in 1898 east of the city; visitors see the garden, the statues and the shop with the nuns' cookies.
Yunokawa Onsen
Hot-spring district by the sea at the end of the tram line, with a free footbath and day-use baths in the hotels.
When to go to Hakodate
Summer is mild and has no real rainy season, and is the busiest time; Goryokaku's cherry trees usually bloom in late April or early May, later than in Tokyo. Autumn colours come in late October. Winter is cold and snowy, but the night view and the lit warehouses are lovely in snow, and a big Christmas tree stands by the bay in December.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Hakodate on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Hakodate on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Hakodate on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Japan from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Hakodate
- Buy a tram day pass or a combined tram and bus pass: trams link the station, the bay, Goryokaku and Yunokawa.
- Reach the morning market by lunchtime at the latest; it is liveliest early, and most stalls close by early afternoon.
- For the night view, ride the ropeway up a little before sunset and stay as the city lights come on; it is crowded on clear evenings, and the ropeway closes for maintenance for a short period each year.
- The road up Mount Hakodate is closed to private cars for much of the year: use the ropeway or the seasonal bus.
- The Orthodox Church interior closes during services and for part of the winter; the Motomachi slopes are icy in snow, so wear boots with grip.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Former British Consulate of Hakodate: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
- Goryokaku Tower: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
- Goryokaku and the Hakodate Magistrate's Office: Keihin nike, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hachiman-zaka slope: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hakodate Morning Market: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
- Hakodate Orthodox Church: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses: S5A-0043, CC BY 4.0
- Mount Hakodate night view: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
- Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Trappistine Convent: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Yunokawa Onsen: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
