Goryokaku (Photo by Luis Samayoa)
Japan has beautiful architecture all around the country with rich history, fun seasonal events and great local specialties. One of my favorite prefectures to visit is Hokkaido. I love visiting and staying in Sapporo for the food, experiences and attractions. My fiancée and I decided to visit a different city in Hokkaido, so we booked a flight to Hakodate which is in the southern part of the island.
Traveling to Hakodate
By train: It’s 25,000 yen per person to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Hakodate Station. Yes, the train travels under the ocean.
By plane: From Haneda to Hakodate Airport, you can find tickets for as low as $250 on Skyscanner app. Prices can vary.
Hakodate Port Festival
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
After grabbing a taxi at Hakodate Airport to check into our hotel, our driver asked if we were headed to the Hakodate Squid Festival. After a bit of Googling, I learned he meant the Hakodate Port Festival. We didn’t know anything about it before coming, so we decided to go to the event since it was within walking distance of our hotel.
From my Googling, I found out this festival is usually held in the beginning of August. The festivities include a huge fireworks show and traditional dancing. Although we missed the opening fireworks, we managed to catch the Ika Odori, which translates to “squid dance.”
During the family-friendly festival where everyone ends up doing the “squid dance,” Hakodate’s main streets are closed off and many groups and local organizations dance their way down them. Loud music from decorated trucks drove by slowly while everyone is chanting, “ika ika ika Odori.” It was a sight I was not expecting on my first visit to Hakodate, but I’m glad I got to see it firsthand.
For more information on next year’s festival, visit the website.
Goryokaku Tower
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
At the main entrance of the Star Garden, you’ll find Goryokaku Tower, located in the center of the city. We went the morning after the festival, hoping to avoid crowds as it is a popular tourist destination. On the bright side, the tower base is large and can be filled with lots of tourists shopping around. If you wish to ride the elevator to the top for a 360-degree view, tickets are 1,000 yen per person.
From the top of the tower, you get a full view of the Star Garden and can also learn about the history of Hakodate and Goryokaku Fort. The first display showcases the arrival of an American fleet to Hakodate in 1854. The other displays mention the history of the fort, which took nearly seven years to construct. The last displays spotlight Japan’s last civil war which ended in 1869. After browsing around and learning a bit of history, we decided to check out the sky view. It wasn’t as impressive compared to their online advertisements, but the surround architecture was very interesting.
From a bird’s-eye view, if the weather is great, you can even spot people on small boats rowing around the garden. Definitely something I want to do.
Address: 43-9 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., open 7 days a week.
Inside Star Garden
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
After checking out the tower, we rushed to the boat rental shop near the exit of the tower. There was no line, so we got lucky as we were told the wait can be around 1-2 hours to paddle a boat.
I’m not a sailor, but I did manage to paddle a boat relatively quickly. The staff said we had 90 minutes to paddle around and enjoy the hot summer day. It truly was a fun experience that only costs 2,500 yen for a boat that can easily fit 4-6 people. Although it’s a long way around the garden pond and the chances are you might get stuck in some lily pads, we managed to enjoy our boat ride. Getting stuck is a bit tricky so be careful, I didn’t know how easy it is to drift into a patch. After a bit of paddling around and getting unstuck from the lily pads, the 90 minutes flew by.
After boat riding, it’s nice to relax inside the garden. We sat and people watched the crowds exploring the magistrate’s office. The crowds at the park made it difficult to enjoy a peaceful walk, but taking the paddle boat is a good option to enjoy the grounds from the water.
Address: 43-9 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001
Garden entrance is free
Boat rental is cash only.
Hakodate Morning Market Square
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa)
Because Hakodate is known for its squid and other seafood, my fiancée and I decided to check out the local fish market next to Hakodate Station. Walking around, it felt like we were in a flea market, with many stands selling plenty of seafood and snacks. Seafood lovers can find many options from squid to lobster and crab legs.
It was very difficult to pick a restaurant because of the vast selection, but it was also a great way to try something new by picking a random market stand for sashimi squid and crab legs. I was incredibly impressed with the freshness and tastiness of each meal. There are so many stands and eateries available in Hakodate that you don’t necessarily need to make reservations. Simply go out and explore and see what you find.
To compare fish markets from my past vacations, I would rank this No.1 for size and accessibility. It wasn’t too crowded or difficult to move around, the food was amazing and there were many shaded areas to hide from the summer heat.
Address: 9-22 Wakamatsucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0063
Hours: Mon. - Sun. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
