Where would you recommend a trip to Japan in winter? I was asked this question many times, but I could not give the best answer until I went to Hakodate, Hokkaido island. I now want to suggest that all my friends experience the breathtaking night views, snow activities, and variety of delicious foods in Hakodate! 

I visited Hakodate from Tokyo at the end of December and stayed for 3 nights. Here is the perfect itinerary you can follow. 

How to get Hakodate from Tokyo? 

Flight 

There are three airlines ANA, JAL, and Air Do operating direct flights from Tokyo for approximately 10 flights every day. Most flights depart from the Haneda airport, and it takes around 1h20min. The cost is around 10,000 yen ~ 30,000 yen per way depending on the season and package. 

Shinkansen

Bullet trains also can be a good option if you would like to stop over somewhere in the Tohoku area between Tokyo and Hokkaido. It takes 4h30min, and the ticket is usually 25,000yen. 

Day 1

Goryokaku, the star-shaped historical governmental fort (五稜郭)

This symbolic historical fort was built in 1864, in the Edo era also known as Tokugawa shogunate. In the 19th century, the Japanese government closed the country's border to support the isolationist foreign policy, except for the trade between the Netherlands and China. However, in 1958, Japan reopened the border to foster international relationships with some countries such as the UK, the US, and Russia.  Following the year, Hakodate emerged as an important role as a trade port and the government established this Goryokaku as a government office managed as a center of politics and economics in northern Japan. 

Now, this fort has become one of the tourist spots in Hakodate, which also has access to the observation deck to see all around the city.

【Entrance fee 】 1000yen (it will be 1200yen from April 2025)

【Opening hours 】 9:00~18:00

Kanemori Red Bricks Warehouses (金森赤レンガ倉庫)

Hakodate Redbricks was built in the Meiji era and is now used as a market selling such as grass masterpieces, accessories, souvenirs, and even sweets. The most unique thing about this place is the wonderful ocean view that you would see hundreds of yats in the port.

In this Kanemori area, besides the warehouses, there is a huge souvenir shop where you can buy everything including Hokkaido chocolates, drinking snacks, instant noodles, frozen seafood, and even frozen cheesecakes. I spent hours and hours there enjoying shopping!

Day 2 

Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市)

Start your day with Donburi with fresh seafood! Despite its name, it opens until 3 PM, so you don't have to worry about waking up very early morning. We didn't buy and eat anything there as our hotel offered breakfast, but walking along the market lining up 260 stores was already enjoyable, and the kind greetings from the shop staff at each shop attracted us to try their fresh club, scallops, salmon row, squid, although we were not hungry. 

【Fee】Free

【Opening hours】6:00~15:00

Former Hakodate Public Hall (旧函館区公会堂)

Take a tram and stop at the Suehiro-cho (末広町) station, walk 7 minutes and you will find a gorgeous golden-blue construction towering over on the top of the hill. The construction started in 1909 after the massive fire damage in Hakodate, and its colonial style was completed in 1910 by mixing the American and Japanese architectural designs. Taisho and Showa emperor welcomed many VIP guests for hosting some international events. 

【Opening hours】

<April to October> Tuesday to Friday 9:00~18:00, Saturday to Monday 9:00~19:00

<November to March> 9:00~17:00

【Fee】300yen

Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church (函館ロシア正教会)

As it mentioned above, Hakodate was one of the leading ports in opening to Western trade, and following that, missionary work was also actively conducted in the early 19th century. This Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1859 - just one year after Japan and Russia contracted a diplomatic relationship - is recognized as the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in Japan. The massive fire also destroyed this church, and it was rebuilt in 1916. 

Hakodate Mountain, Night View(函館山ロープウェイ)

Watching a stunning night view from the top of the Hakodate mountain was our main target. We walked up to the ropeway station and bought a ticket around 7 pm after dinner. A long line awaited the ropeway to ride up to the top. As soon as get to the top at the height of 334m, the breathtaking night view with pieces of stunning orange lights and twinkling starlights awaits you in the clear sky.  Be sure to wear proper winter clothes, jackets, and boots to get yourself warm, because the outside is extremely cold at the temperature of -10℃. 

【Opening hours】10:00~21:00

【Fee】1,800yen

Food Recommendation!

Lucky Pierrot 

Lucky Pierrot is a local chain hamburger shop, which only exists in Hokkaido. The first shop opened in the 1980s, and their business has been expanding to the 17 locations across southern Hokkaido. We ordered the most popular item, Chinese Chicken Burger. With a lively atmosphere with attractive decorations, eye-catching posters, and toys everywhere in the restaurant, many customers enjoyed their meals while taking pictures. The Chinese Chicken Burger, with its sweet-sour flavor, paired with crispy fries, was absolutely delicious. I could easily see why it's beloved by people of all generations. 

Hakodate Ramen 

Hokkaido has three Ramen categories in the different areas, Miso Ramen in Sapporo, Shoyu(Soy sauce) in Asahikawa, and SHIO(salt) ramen in Hakodate. Shio Ramen has typically clear soup and a more delicate and less intense flavor compared to the former two types of ramen. There are more than 300 ramen shops in Hakodate, so try as many shops as you can and find the best one for yourself!

Soup Curry (Yoshida shoten 吉田商店)

Honestly, I was not a big fan of soup curry until I have met the best soup curry shop in Hakodate. Ramen, Sushi, and Seafood would be chosen as the most popular local foods in Hakodate by many people, but I want to highly recommend trying Soup Curry! Unlike the typical thick-paste Japanese curry, this has light soup but with spiced with a blend of curry powder, herbs, and seasonings.  zone of the things that sets it apart is the variety of toppings and vegetables, usually served in large chunks, which add to its uniqueness. It's the perfect meal to warm you up after a chilly walk in the snowy weather.