This is the ideal tour for travelers wanting to discover the highlights of Hakodate efficiently in a private vehicle accompanied by a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide!
Hakodate, the historic port city at the southern tip of Hokkaido, was one of the first in Japan to open to foreign trade, and that heritage gives it a unique East-meets-West charm. Wander the sloping streets of the Motomachi district past Western-style churches and consulates, ride up Mount Hakodate for one of Japan's three best night views, explore the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress, and stroll the romantic Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses along the bay. Don't miss the bustling morning market, where you can sample the freshest seafood Hokkaido is famous for. Hakodate has much to offer and we hope to guide you soon!
*Tour details may change due to traffic conditions. *Specific vehicle types are not available for request.
By day, a ropeway or scenic drive carries you to the summit observation deck for sweeping views of Hakodate's distinctive hourglass-shaped isthmus framed by sea on both sides; after dark, the twinkling city lights create an unforgettable panorama.
ars of the shogunate and the site of the last battle of the Boshin War in 1869. Today the moats and earthworks form a beautiful park that is one of Hokkaido's most famous cherry blossom spots in spring. The adjacent Goryokaku Tower offers a bird's-eye view that reveals the fort's remarkable five-pointed design.
t atmospheric neighborhood, shaped by Hakodate's early opening to foreign trade. Its sloping cobbled streets are lined with beautifully preserved Western-style buildings, churches and former consulates, including the Old Public Hall and Orthodox and Catholic churches, all enjoying lovely views down to the harbor.
buildings along the Hakodate bayfront, once used as trading warehouses and now restored into a stylish complex of boutiques, cafes, restaurants and a beer hall. It's a wonderful place to shop for local crafts and sweets, enjoy harbor views, and soak up the romantic atmosphere—especially beautiful when lit up in the evening.
beside Hakodate Station, brimming with the fresh seafood Hokkaido is famous for. Browse tanks of king crab, scallops, sea urchin and salmon roe, watch vendors at work, and tuck into a kaisen-don rice bowl piled with sashimi. Adventurous visitors can even try catching their own squid in a tank—an iconic Hakodate experience.
1859 until 1934, in the years after the port opened to international trade. The beautifully restored colonial building now houses a museum on the city's opening to the world, an English tea room serving scones and Victorian-style afternoon tea, and a charming rose garden—a delightful glimpse of Hakodate's cosmopolitan past.
fectly straight cobblestone hill in the Motomachi district lined with trees and gas lamps. From the top, the view sweeps down between the buildings to the harbor and a moored historic ship, framing a postcard-perfect scene that has featured in countless films and commercials—especially magical when illuminated at night.
an and remains a working community of cloistered nuns on the outskirts of Hakodate. While the inner buildings are closed to visitors, the peaceful gardens, brick chapel and tree-lined approach are open to all, and the on-site shop is famous for the nuns' handmade butter cookies and madeleines—a serene and sweet end to your tour.
If you select the meeting point at Hakodate station, your guide will be waiting for you at the main entrance of JR Hakodate Station, holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting your guide, you will be escorted to the vehicle.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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