Hakodate City
A world-class night view and a port town steeped in history.
How to Take In the 'Million-Dollar Night View' from Mt. Hakodate
The sparkling panorama from the summit of Mt. Hakodate is the city's signature view. The city is squeezed onto a narrow sandbar between Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Port, and its hourglass shape creates a jewel-box glitter unlike anywhere else — rated three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Sunset's magic hour is just as stunning as full night.
The ropeway is the easy way up, but hiking the trails or driving the mountain road reveals hidden viewpoints along the way. The summit is windy — bring an extra layer even in summer.
At the foot of the mountain lies Motomachi, a district of sloping streets, churches, and Western-style buildings from Hakodate's open-port era. Arrive at the deck about 30 minutes before sunset to watch the sky change color over the town.
Hakodate Morning Market: Seafood at Its Freshest
One minute from Hakodate Station, the morning market spreads across roughly 250 shops and opens around 5 a.m. The signature experience is catching a live squid in a tank and having it sliced on the spot — translucent, sweet, and springy.
Seafood rice bowls topped with sea urchin, crab, and scallop are the standard order. Each shop bowls differently, so locals recommend a 'bowl crawl' with small portions to compare.
The city also has beloved local chains like Lucky Pierrot burgers and Hasegawa Store's yakitori bento — flavors you can only taste in Hakodate.