If you’re looking for the best things to do in Hakodate, then this travel guide will take you on a tour of the city; including the best hidden gems, where to eat, and what to do.
Hakodate is famed for its sea food and for its “ten million dollar night view” from the Hakodate Ropeway. It’s also known for Motomachi, a district where foreigners chose to reside after Japan’s period of isolation ended, and so is home to lots of Western-style architecture.
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Read my blog: https://www.solosophie.com/
In this video, we’ll visit:
– Hakodate Morning Market, 函館朝市
– Goryōkaku, 五稜郭
– Pieberry Café
– Port of Hakodate, 函館港
– Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, 金森赤レンガ倉庫
– Motomachi Park, 函館元町
– Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, 旧函館区公会堂
– Mt. Hakodate ropeway, 函館山ロープウェイ
– Daimon Yokocho
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welcome to hakati this is a major port city in the island of haido which is the northernmost of the four main islands of Japan we’re here for the next 24 hours to discover the best things to do in heati including what to see and where to eat the easiest way to get around the city is by taking the tram as most of the major tourist attractions are pretty space out start your day by tasting some local delights at the most popular Morning Market which is just a few minutes walk away from the main train station the Market’s main focus is on fresh seafood and because of its opening times I.E in the morning until early afternoon it makes a great spot for picking up breakfast or lunch after you’ve had your fill of local goodies head to hak’s most iconic site the Western Citadel Fort gor yaku The Fortress has a fascinating history completed in 1866 just two years before the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogun nut it was originally built as a defense against the imperialist threat posed by Western Powers its unique five-pointed star shape allowed for several more gun placements than are typically found on traditional Japanese fortresses for the best view of hakodate I recommend paying to go up the tower there’s even this section where if you dare to you can walk on glass which is suspended above the street below however the best view remains that of the fort we then headed to this delightful little cafe just off the park where they serve up hot buns and hot [Music] drinks today since the Fortress has lost its military purpose its grounds have been transformed into a public park and it has also been declared as a special heritage site much of the park itself is completely free to visit and it’s especially popular in springtime with over a thousand chot trees planted along the moat of the park unfortunately as you can see it was too early in the season to see any of the trees in [Music] bloom you can then hop on the tram to head back to the port area which which is characterized by its red brick buildings the port opened its gates to the world in 1859 as one of Japan’s first International Trade ports and in turn the city has absorbed plenty of other [Music] cultures within the port area is a former Warehouse which has been redeveloped veloped and repurposed as a commercial complex here you can shop for cute souvenirs and clothes sight see the boats at the port or grab a beer there’s even a chapel inside the complex where you can get married [Music] [Music] the varied tip bird is represented on this post and is a symbol of hacka and afterwards we’re going all the way up to the top of that ropeway because it’s home to one of Japan’s $10 million night views which means it’s one of the most scenic night views in the country aadate actually has a few different kinds of drain covers this one in particular is of a squid however this historic building is definitely the most popular drain cover that we’ve seen around the harbor here at haad was one of the first to be opened to foreigners after Japan’s period of isolation in 1853 mamachi which is on the base of the mountain which presides over the city is a district we’re in now and is where a lot of foreigners chose to reside in this period therefore you’ll see a lot of western style homes this is the former haido government office it was first built in 1909 but underwent extensive Renovations in 1982 which is when the park itself was [Music] opened this is mamachi Park and one of the best things about visiting here is that you have amazing views over the harbor below we’re Curr C ly visiting around the middle of April and while lower down parts of Japan have their cherry blossoms here the highest hill still are snow [Music] covered directly behind me is the old public hall of hakodate it was completed in 1910 after a devastating fire destroyed the previous one on site in 1907 Imperial visitors used to stay here and the hall is still in use for various concerts to this day all in all this is a fantastic example of Japanese architecture meets Western architecture many people say that this Shrine which was originally dedicated Canon the goddess of Mercy dates all the way back to 11:35 making it the oldest one in h kaido however that’s not actually being confirmed [Music] mosachi is also home to a number of different churches including a Russian Orthodox church and a Roman Catholic Church that’s said to be the oldest church in Japan I have to say it was quite steep to get up here but once you’re up to at the top the views are amazing the history of the Russian Orthodox Church dates back to 1860 when a small Chapel was constructed on site it’s directly opposite the Roman Catholic [Music] Church there’s a third Church in the area and this one is a Protestant Church dedicated to St John now that it’s approaching Sunset it’s time to go and see the attraction that hakati is most known for the hackaday ropeway this is one of the $ 10 million views here in Japan so let’s go and check it out [Music] a round trip to the top isn’t too pricey and the journey across the sky takes just 3 minutes once at the top visitors are rewarded with stunning panoramic [Music] views be sure to check out sunset time before heading up or planning your day as it said that the best time to visit is 30 minutes after Sunset when the city lights are a glow I really enjoyed watching it turn from day to night at this time [Music] [Music] [Music] for dinner the best place to go is Diamond y coo this tiny alley is filled with all kinds of hole in the wall EES all suring traditional mouthwatering Japanese [Music] Cuisine thank you so much for watching and don’t forget to like And subscribe for more content see you next time bye