Hakodate

TokyoNagoyaOsaka

OkushiriTianjin

Seoul

Taipei

Sapporo

Useful TelephoneNumbers

Internet Information

Access to Hakodate

Tourist Information Center (Inside JR Hakodate Station Building)12-13 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate TEL: 0138-23-5440

Motomachi Tourist Information Center12-18 Motomachi, Hakodate TEL: 0138-27-3333

Hakodate International Tourism and Convention Association33-14 Motomachi, Hakodate TEL: 0138-27-3535

International Tourism Section, Tourism Department, City of Hakodate 4-13 Shinonome-cho, Hakodate TEL: 0138-21-3479／3454

Travel Hakodatehttp://www.hakodate.travel/en/

Hakodate - Southern Hokkaido Tourist Guidehttp://www.hakodate-kankou.com/en/

【By Air】30min from Okushiri40min from Sapporo80min from Tokyo90min from Nagoya100min from Osaka150min from Seoul190min from Tianjin220min from Taipei

【By JR】4hrs from Tokyo（Hokkaido Shinkansen）220min from Sapporo

【By Ferry】4hrs from Aomori2hrs from Ōma

【By Car】5hrs from Sapporo

Romantic Hakodate Information

Published in 2016

Tourism Symbol of Hakodate

All rights reserved.

International Tourism Section, Tourism Department, City of HakodateProduced by Gyosei

WELCOME TO HAKODATETHE CITY COMMITTED TOINTERNATIONAL TOURISM

City of Lights and Hospitality　International Tourism City Hakodate

Photo Gallery

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Morning in orange lightThe Trappistine Convent emergesIn the silhouette in the transparent morning sun.It’s a time to contemplateThe constants and changes since the Meiji Era.

Afternoon in pale blueThe sky and the sea become oneIn the bright Sunday afternoon.The church bells of Gan-gan deraPealing solemnly at the foot of Mt. Hakodate.

THE CITY IN COLOR

Welcome to Hakodate

CONTENTS

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From the misty dawn to the deep of nightwhen the sky and the sea melt into each other,Hakodate’s sky has an astonishingly wide range of colors.We invite you to enjoy this ever-changing light show in Hakodate.

Dust in dark redAs you watch the darkening streetsRattling by the tram window,You feel like a travelerLost in an unknown land.

Night in indigo blueThe dark horizon of Tsugaru StraitIs scattered with fishing boats,Blurred and shimmering Like starts in the sea.

●A trip on a tram<Motomachi Area>…3　●A trip on a tram<Bay Area>…5　●A trip on a tram<Goryokaku Area>…7　●A trip on a tram<Yunokawa Area>…9　●The Moon, Stars and Lights…11　●The sea behind you, a mountain up above…13

Many of Hakodate’s tour i s t spots have been awarded stars by Michel in Green Guide Japon. Look for the ★ marks!

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Motomachi, the Bay Area, Goryo-kaku and finally Yunokawa; Most Hakodate tourist spots are just a tram ride away.With a relaxing pace and atmosphere it’s a great way to get around.

A tripon a tram

Hakodate Haikara-goA replica Taisho era tram pro-vides a chance to experience early 20th century travel.The sound of its bell is the signal for departure.

The Soma Company Building ★This striking wooden building was constructed in 1913 and is still in use.

Mt. Hakodate

Midorinoshima Island

TRAM

Yachigashira

HakodateDock-mae

Omachi

Suehiro-cho

Hakodate Orthodox ChurchHakodate Episcopal

Church

Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

Old British Consulate

The Soma Company Building

Old Russian Consulate

Old Hakodate Public Hall

(Hakodate City Museum of Photographic History)

Motomachi Tourist Information

Jujigai

Horai-cho

Aoyagi-cho

Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Hakodate Betsuin

Hakod

ateDoc

k-mae

Omachi Sue

hiro-c

ho

Jujig

ai

Horai-c

ho

Aoyag

i-cho

Yachig

ashir

a

Looking for HistoryEven for first time visitors, the depth of his-tory in Hakodate is apparent. Motomachi, in particular, has an atmosphere which feels, for many Japanese, quite foreign. It was a landing point for the Western-style clothes and food that we now take for granted.

Hakodate Fisheries Cooperative

Irifune-ban’yaA unique dining experi-ence where the squid a customer catches from the tank is prepared and served on the spot by fishermen’s wives. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, June through December during lunch time at Irifune Branch of Hakodate Fisheries Cooperative.

Old HakodatePublic Hall★★A Nationally Designated I m p o r t a n t C u l t u r a l Property.The balcony on the second floor com-mands a full view of the port. Built in 1910.

Hakodate Orthodox Church ★A Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property.Also called Gan-gan dera.

Motomachi Roman Catholic Church（Interior ★）

A City Designated Historic Building. The rooster on the spire is the landmark.

Hakodate Episcopal ChurchThe roof is shaped like a cross when viewed from above.

Old British ConsulateA City Designated Tangible Cultural Property. The tea room is open for visitors.

Old Russian ConsulateBuilt in 1908.

Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Hakodate Betsuin ★A Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property.Japan’s first reinforced con-crete temple.

MotomachiArea

Motomachi Area 4

Experience

Jujigai

Uoichib

a-doriSue

hiro-c

ho

Hakodate Meijikan (Old Hakodate Post Office)Built in 1911, it’s now a popular shopping area.

Red Brick WarehousesInside the warehouses are a beer hall, restaurants and vari-ous shops.

Hakodate Community Design CenterHoused in a former depart-ment store built in 1923. The hand-operated elevator is the oldest of its kind in the north of Tohoku.

EVENT

The Tachikawa Family Residence and StoreThe century-old building, a designated National Important Asset, now has a chic cafe.

Hakodate Seibu-chiku Bar-gaiFor one night only each spring and fall, selected restaurants and cafe turn into Spanish-style bars and serve drinks with a pincho (appetizer) to tick-etholders. It’s a popular local event, and a great way to explore the old town while enjoying deli-cious food and drinks. Advance purchase o f t icket books is recom-mended. Twice a year in spring and fall.

Photo by Executive Committee of Hakodate Seibu-chiku Bar-gai

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Bay AreaUoic

hiba-d

ori

Shiyak

usho

-mae

Hakod

ate Ekim

ae

Hakodate Christmas FantasyA gigantic Christmas tree on the harbor and nightly fireworks light up the winter.

Omachi

MidorinoshimaIsland

Hakodate-maru (Replica)

Monument to Commemorate the First Step onto Hokkaido

Across Juji-gai

Hakodate Seaside Marine Institute

Excursion Boat Boarding

ChineseMemorial Hall

Old BritishConsulate

Monument CommemoratingCommodore Perry’s

Expedition to Hakodate

Hakodate CityMuseum of Northern Peoples

Japan’s Oldest Concrete Electric Pole

Hakodate Takadaya Kahei Museum Hakodate Meijikan (Old Hakodate Post Office)

The Glass Studio in Hakodate

Hakodate BeerHakodate Community Design Center

Niijima Bridge

Jujigai Uoichiba-dori

Wholesale Market for Marine Products

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5Tourist Information

Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru”

Ika Monument

MorningMarket

Bus Terminal

Shiyakusho-mae

Ika Square

Municipal Archive of Local History (Old Kanemori Haberdashery)

The Soma Company Building

Red Brick Warehouses JR Hakodate Station

Monument to Commemorate Jo Niijima’s Going Abroad

Tachikawa FamilyResidenceand Store

Hakodate Ekimae

Suehiro-cho

Monument to Commemorate Jo Niijima’s Going AbroadThe founder of Doshisha University set off for America from here.

This is the landing place of foreign culture.

Hakodate, along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, became Japan’s first international trading ports of the Meiji Era in 1859. These red brick ware-houses, built around 1907, stand here to watch the changing times while conveying the atmo-sphere of old days.

Christmas in a port city with lights shimmering on the water

The Glass Studio in HakodateA City Designated Historic Building. Why not try your hand at glassblowing?

Monument to Commemorate the First Step onto HokkaidoAn anchor and a bear were erected in 1968 to commemo-rate the centenary of the Meiji government’s opening of Hokkaido.

Excursion Boat, Blue MoonThe night cruise of Hakodate bay attracts many tourists.

BayArea

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Goryokaku AreaChiy

ogad

ai

Chuo-b

yoin-

mae

Goryoka

ku-koe

n-mae

Sugina

mi-cho

Open-Air Theater Hakodate YagaigekiMany important scenes f rom Hakodate’s h is -tory are re-enacted in Goryokaku on a spec-tacular scale most week-end evenings during July and early August. 2012 marked the 25th anni-versary of this historical pageant. Most of the 500 or so cast and produc-tion staff are volunteers, including some willing tourists!

EVENT

A star-shaped fort in cherry blossoms and in lights as seen from Goryokaku TowerThe final battle ground of the Battle of Hakodate now is colored in pink in spring and Iit up in the night in winter.It also provides the center stage for a historical pageant in summer.

Chiyogadai

Chuo-byoin-maeSuginami-cho

Kashiwagi-choHorikawa-cho

Goryokaku-koen-mae

Marui-Imai Department Store

The Old Iai Missionary’s House

ChiyogadaiAtheletics Stadium

Kameda River

Hakodate ChuoPolice Station

Kameda HachimanguShinto Shrine

The Special Historic SiteFort Goryokaku

HakodateMagistrate’s Office

Takeda AyasaburoMemorial

Hakodate City NorthenPacific Fishery’sDocument MuseumHakodate

Performing Arts Center

Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido

Goryokaku Tower

Hakodate City Central Library

Hokkaido University of Education HAKODATE

Site of Last Stand of Nakajima Saburosuke and his Sons

Teio Department StoreＰ

Ｐ

ChiyogadaiBaseball Stadium

City Swimming Pool

Hakodate City Central LibraryHouses some 697,000 books including local historical documents.

Hakodate City Northen Pacific Fishery’s Document MuseumYou can learn about the fish-ing in the northen seas.

Hakodate Magistrate’s OfficeHakodate Magistrate’s Office built inside the Goryokaku towards the end of the Edo era at the time of the port opening, has been faithfully reconstructed.

Birthplace of Hokkaido̓s coffee cultureCoffee was initially believed

to prevent the condition of dropsy. *Tips for roasting coffee beans were included in a

government issued publication from 1857. (Hokkaido Prefectural Archive Collection)

Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido Contains a liberal collection of Western sculptures and Japanese calligraphy.

Goryokaku TowerOffers a commanding view of the entire star-shaped fort.

GoryokakuArea

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Hakodate Goryokaku FestivalA Toshizo Hijikata looka-like contest and Ishin (Meiji Restoration) Parade are the main attractions in this festival held in mid May.

The Special Historic Site Fort Goryokaku (Goryokaku Park) ★★Some 1,600 cherry trees bloom from late April to early May each year.

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Statue of Toshizo HijikataHijikata, the Vice Commander of Shinsengumi, perished in the Battle of Hakodate at the age of 35.

Hoshi no YumeThe 1.8 kilometer moat surrounding the star-shaped fort is illuminat-ed during this festival.

JRA HakodateRace Course

Civic HallHakodate Arena

Yunohama Park

Footbath

Hakodate City Tropical Garden

To the TrappistineConvent

Yukura Shrine

To Old Iwafune Garden (Kosetsuen)

Hakodate City Hall Yunokawa Branch

Yunokawa

Yunokawa-onsen

Komaba-shako-mae

Matsukura River

278

278

Nesaki ParkRugby, baseball and archery grounds

To Hakodate Airport

To Hakodate Auto Campsite

To Takuboku Park ...Hijikata Takuboku Roman-kanHakodate Bicycle Race Track

Shimin-kaikan-mae

Prefectural Hokkaido

Kamiiso Line (Sangyo Doro)

Fishing LightsLights that fishing boats use to lure squid are seen in Tsugaru Strait from summer through winter.

Yukura Shrine A monument to the source of the Yunokawa hot spring.

FootbathA free hot spring for your feet near the Yunokawa Onsen tram stop. (Open 9am-9pm.)

At the end of the tram line is a relaxing hot spring area.Yunokawa Onsen is an easy walk from the tram stop and was once a retreat for injured soldiers during the Battle of Hakodate. Why not recharge yourself while enjoying fantastic views of the isaribi (squid fishing boats’ lights)?

Yunokawa Hot Spring AreaA hot spring area with a his-tory extending back more than 350 years!Day visits are also available at selected hotels and locations.

Yunokawa OnsenFireworks ShowF l o a t i n g l a n t e r n s i n t h e Matsukura River, fireworks, and mikoshi (a miniature shrine) parade are the main attractions.

Monkeys at Tropical Garden

Enjoy hot spring bath while counting the fishing lights on the horizon.

YunokawaArea

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Yunokawa Area

Walking on the fallen leaves through the tunnel of golden foliage

Yunok

awa

Shimin-

kaika

n-mae

Yunok

awa-o

nsen

Hakodate MOMI-G FestaAn event held every fall in Kosetsuen.The maple trees and the garden are lit up. Mini concerts are held in Midori no Center.

EVENT

The Old Iwafune Garden (Kosetsuen) , Miharashi Park ★Inside Miharashi Park is Kosetsuen, an authentic Japanese garden with some 150 different kinds of trees. The nightly illumination of trees starts in late October.

Hakodate AirportThe gateway to Hakodate is close to the city, with regular connections by shuttle bus.

Hakodate City Tropical GardenJapanese monkeys enjoy the hot spring in winter.

Takuboku ParkThis statue of poet Takuboku Ishikawa, who once said “I wish to die in Hakodate”, is located by Omori-hama Beach.

JRA Hakodate Race CourseThe only horse racing track in Japan with a view of the sea. Races held from June to September.

The Trappistine ConventJapan’s first convent was founded in 1898. The forecourt and a informa-tion center are open to the public.

Komab

a-sha

ko-m

ae

Hakodate Bicycle Race TrackJapan’s northernmost bicycle race track was also the first to feature night races. It is con-verted into an ice skating rink in winter.

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The night view of Hakodate is considered to be the best in the world. The lights scattered all over the peninsula are like constellations on the ground. It's great fun to take a walk while tracing the illuminated buildings at the foot of the mountain.

Mt. Hakodate Night Sketches（A view from Mt. Hakodate）★★★

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Motomachi Park

Waterfront Warehouses

★SEC Computer Center (Old Dai-Hyakujusan National Bank)

★★

★★

★

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　Café Joe★

★

★

★

★

★Other Light-up Spots

Promenade of Lights

Suggested Routes Lighting up Spots

＊The lighting up project was started in 1990 and now 28 sites are lighted. We selected popular sites for you.

Motomachi Reservoir

Gokoku Jinja

Hōrai-chō Hōrai-chō

Midorinoshima Island

ŌmachiŌmachi Niijima Bridge

Monument Commemorating the First Step onto HokkaidoMonument Commemorating the First Step onto Hokkaido

Tomoe

Brid

ge

Museum of Northern PeoplesMuseum of Northern Peoples

Shiyakusho MaeShiyakusho Mae

Uo ichiba-dōriUo ichiba-dōri

Kaiko St.Kaiko St.

Bay HakodateBay Hakodate

Hakodate Museum of LiteratureHakodate Museum of Literature

Hakodate Museum of Local History (Old Kanemori Haberdashery)Hakodate Museum of Local History (Old Kanemori Haberdashery)

Suehiro-chōSuehiro-chō

Monument Commemorating the First Visit of Meiji Emperor to HokkaidoMonument Commemorating the First Visit of Meiji Emperor to Hokkaido

Monument Commemorating Commodore Perry’s Expedition to Hakodate

Monument Commemorating Commodore Perry’s Expedition to Hakodate

Old Branch Office of the Hokkaido GovernmentHakodate City Museum of Photographic History

Old Branch Office of the Hokkaido GovernmentHakodate City Museum of Photographic History

Ropeway

Hakodate

Mountain Road

JūjigaiJūjigai

Municipal Wholesale Marketof Marine Products

Municipal Wholesale Marketof Marine Products

Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru”Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru”

1Hakodate CommunityDesign Center(Old Branch Office of the City Hall in Suehiro-cho)

2The Hakodate Church (United Church of Christ in Japan)

3Hakodate Episcopal Church

4Hakodate Orthodox Church

5Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

6Old Colonial Commission Archive

7Old Hakodate Public Hall

8Old British Consulate

9Chinese Memorial Hall

10Hakodate Seaside Marine Institute (Old Hakodate Nishi Police Station Building)

11The Soma Company Building

12Old Pier

13Hakodate Meijikan (Old Hakodate Post Office)

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Hachiman-zaka Slope with a view of Hakodate PortThe stone pavement descends into the sea.

【Uomi-zaka Slope】This westernmost slope leads to the Foreign Cemetery.

【Funami-zaka Slope】Ships coming in and out of the port were viewed from this slope. Funami means ̔ship-watching̓.

【Hiyori-zaka Slope】Named h iyor i (weather ) because the slope had a great view of the look of the sky.

【Hachiman-zaka Slope】★Often used as a movie or TV location, this stone-paved slope epitomises Hakodate for many.

【Saiwai-zaka Slope】Named af ter Saiwai-cho (present Benten-cho).

【Sugatami-zaka Slope】Once the site of a red light district, beautifully dressed w o m e n u s e d t o b e s e e n around here. Sugatami means ̔full length mirror̓.

【Yayoi-zaka Slope】Named Yayoi (the month of March) in a wish for the return of prosperity after the great fire of Hakodate.

【Motoi-zaka Slope】★So called because it was the starting point of the old high-way to Sapporo. Motoi means ̔a basis̓. It was also once called "Magistrate's Slope."

The SEA behind you, a MOUNTAIN up above

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Nostalgia of the Steep Streets

Nos

talg

ia o

f th

e St

eep

Stre

ets

Funami-zaka SlopeUomi-zaka Slope

Chitose-zaka SlopeSaiwai-zaka SlopeSugatami-zaka Slope

Tokiwa-zaka SlopeYayoi-zaka Slope

Azuma-zaka Slope

Motoi-zaka Slope

Hachiman-zaka SlopeMt. Hakodate

Midorinoshima Island

TRAM

Yachigashira

Hakodate Dokku Mae

Hakodate Episcopal Church

Old Hakodate Public Hall

Higashihongan-ji Temple, Hakodate Betsuin

Hakodate Orthodox Church

Motomachi Roman Catholic Church The Sumi Family Residence

(Katsuichiro Kamei’s Birthplace)

Jūjigai

Nijukken-zaka SlopeNambu-zaka Slope

Yachi-zaka Slope

Gokokujinja-zaka SlopeAsari-zaka Slope

Aoyagi-zaka Slope

Daisan-zaka Slope

Hiyori-zaka Slope

Chacha-nobori Slope

Motoi-zaka Slope was called Magistrate’s Slope during Edo era. Right on top of the hill stands Old Hakodate Public Hall of Hakodate Ward.

【Gokokujinja-zaka Slope】Also called Shiomi-zaka. At the top of this slope is the distinctive red torii (entrance gate) of the Gokoku Shrine.

A guide to Hako-date’s steep streetsAt the base of each slope is a signpost with the slope’s name. Which one is your favorite?

【Chacha-nobori Slope】Chacha means “an old man” in Ainu. This slope is so steep you will bend over like an old man to walk uphill.

【Nijukken-zaka Slope】Named when the road was widened to 20 ken (about 36 m) to help protect the city against fire.

【Daisan-zaka Slope】Lined with churches, this beautiful slope was selected as one of Japan’s Hundred Most Famous Roads.

Walking around Hakodate’s many steep streets is a delight.If you stop and turn around in the middle of the street, A breathtaking marine blue vista spreads right before your eyes.

Slopes in Motomachi ★★

14

Hakodate

TokyoNagoyaOsaka

OkushiriTianjin

Seoul

Taipei

Sapporo

Useful TelephoneNumbers

Internet Information

Access to Hakodate

Tourist Information Center (Inside JR Hakodate Station Building)12-13 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate TEL: 0138-23-5440

Motomachi Tourist Information Center12-18 Motomachi, Hakodate TEL: 0138-27-3333

Hakodate International Tourism and Convention Association33-14 Motomachi, Hakodate TEL: 0138-27-3535

International Tourism Section, Tourism Department, City of Hakodate 4-13 Shinonome-cho, Hakodate TEL: 0138-21-3479／3454

Travel Hakodatehttp://www.hakodate.travel/en/

Hakodate - Southern Hokkaido Tourist Guidehttp://www.hakodate-kankou.com/en/

【By Air】30min from Okushiri40min from Sapporo80min from Tokyo90min from Nagoya100min from Osaka150min from Seoul190min from Tianjin220min from Taipei

【By JR】4hrs from Tokyo（Hokkaido Shinkansen）220min from Sapporo

【By Ferry】4hrs from Aomori2hrs from Ōma

【By Car】5hrs from Sapporo

Romantic Hakodate Information

Published in 2016

Tourism Symbol of Hakodate

All rights reserved.

International Tourism Section, Tourism Department, City of HakodateProduced by Gyosei

WELCOME TO HAKODATETHE CITY COMMITTED TOINTERNATIONAL TOURISM