Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Yunokawa Hot Spring, one of the three major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido, is a long-established hot spring in Hakodate with a rich history. According to legend, a feudal lord of the Matsumae Clan was once cured of a serious illness after bathing in these therapeutic waters.

Yunokawa Hot Spring is conveniently located about 10 minutes by car from Hakodate Airport and offers excellent access from downtown Hakodate, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in the city. The hot spring town is lined with many ryokan and hotels where you can savor fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido. The open-air baths with breathtaking views of the Tsugaru Strait are especially popular.

From June to December, the sight of squid fishing boats illuminated by beautiful fishing lights creates a magical scene over the night sea—a unique memory to take home from your trip. The free foot baths in the hot spring district are popular spots where both locals and tourists can relax together. They are perfect for a short break during your sightseeing.

Why not spend a heartwarming and relaxing time at Yunokawa Hot Spring, where both your body and soul can truly unwind?

Esashi Oiwake Kaikan

Located in Esashi, a port town in southern Hokkaido, exhibits the long history of folk songs in Hokkaido. The place's origins and name derive from one of Hokkaido's most important folk songs, the melody and lyrics adapted from a song that was transmitted on merchant ships during the Edo period (1603-1868). In between learning about the form and content of folk music, its heritage and preservation in the Kaikan, why not take a singing lesson on-site? If you have the chance to visit Esashi in late Sep., be sure to see the finale of the Esashi Oiwake national competition, which will feature 440 of his singers from all over Japan.

Esashi Yama Kaikan (In Esashi, the Hikiyama is called "Yama")

The Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival is Hokkaido’s oldest festival, dating back 370 years. From August 9 to 11, the streets of historic trading town Esashi are filled with people as 13 magnificent multi-tiered floats, known as yama, parade through the town accompanied by traditional music as an expression of gratitude for the year’s herring catch. If you are visiting outside of the festival period, be sure to check out the Esashi Float Hall. Here, two of the eye-catching floats are displayed on rotation along with other goods and an explanation of the festival’s fascinating history.

From the 17th century, trading ships traveled to and from Esashi, a town at the core of the lucrative herring trade. As a result, Esashi gets the honor of being the oldest port town on the island. Inishie Kaido Street is the historical center of Esashi and offers a number of culturally significant buildings and relics to explore. Visitors should check out the wide variety of buildings connected to the herring trade, such as merchant places, storehouses, and wholesalers. Also, be sure to stop by the many shrines and temples throughout the town and bathe in the atmosphere of bygone days.

Historically, Esashi was a bustling port town with cargo ships coming back and forth with precious cargo. With so much traffic, even Kamome, a small island off the coast of Esashi, was used as a natural port. When viewed from above, the island is reminiscent of a seagull spreading its wings, hence its name, Kamome (“seagull”) Island.  A walkway was constructed from the inland coast to the center of the island, which makes for a perfect stroll. Check out natural sights like Heishi Rock, the mysterious tatami mat-like plateau of huge rocks, and the dreamy lighthouse that bathes the evening sky in its glow as you tour the island and the surrounding area. The picturesque nature of the island continues into the evening: Kamome Island was selected as one of the top 100 sunset-viewing spots in Japan. Time your walk just right and you won’t be disappointed as the sun goes down!