Things to do in Hakodate
Hakodate sits on a narrow neck of land with water on both sides, which is why the view from the mountain works so well — the lights taper into the dark on either side. Time the ropeway for about thirty minutes before sunset. During the day, the morning market and the star-shaped fort are both walkable from the station area.
3 places in Hakodate, covering views & landmarks, culture & museums, food & markets — each with opening hours, directions from the nearest station, and the official site.
All places
Mt. Hakodate
The night view from Mt. Hakodate is considered one of the three greatest night views in the world. The unique shape of the city peninsula creates a stunning panorama of twinkling lights between two bays.
Goryokaku Fort
Goryokaku is a star-shaped Western-style fort completed in 1866, the first of its kind in Japan. Today it's a park famous for cherry blossoms and offers great aerial views from the adjacent tower.
Hakodate Morning Market
Hakodate Morning Market opens at 5am and is one of Japan's most famous seafood markets. Visitors can enjoy ultra-fresh seafood bowls including sea urchin and crab straight from Hokkaido's cold waters.
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