Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A mountain with an elevation of 334 meters overlooking Hakodate city, a famous viewpoint where Michelin three-star superb views and about 600 plant species coexist.
From the observation deck at the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakodate city created by the unique terrain sandwiched between the Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Bay. The landscape created by the cityscape and sea spreading across the narrow terrain is a beauty not seen elsewhere. During the day, the contrast woven by the blue sea, green mountains, and city buildings is vivid, and at night countless lights shine like jewels, creating a fantastic world at the boundary line with the pitch-black sea. A refreshing breeze blows across the summit, and when you take a deep breath while viewing the scenery spreading below, the scent of the sea tide drifts.
Though once serving an important role as a military fortress, the mountain is now a treasure trove of nature where about 600 plant species and about 150 wild bird species inhabit. Hiking courses of about one hour are maintained at the foot of the mountain, allowing you to walk while enjoying seasonal flowers and bird songs. This is a representative tourist spot of Hakodate showing different expressions each season: fresh greenery in spring, deep green in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.

Yunokawa Hot Spring, one of Hokkaido’s three major onsen resorts, is a historic onsen in Hakodate cherished for its long-standing reputation. Steeped in history, local legend recounts how the therapeutic waters once healed a seriously ill Matsumae Clan feudal lord, cementing its status as a cherished sanctuary.

Conveniently located about 10 minutes by car from Hakodate Airport and near downtown Hakodate, it serves as an ideal base for exploring the city. The hot spring area features numerous ryokan and hotels offering fresh Hokkaido seafood and seasonal delicacies. A must-try is relaxing in the open-air baths (rotenburo), which offer stunning, panoramic views of the Tsugaru Strait.

From June through December, keep an eye out for the shimmering lights of squid fishing boats (Isaribi) illuminating the night sea—a truly magical spectacle unique to Hakodate. In addition, the free foot baths in the district provide a casual and relaxing experience where both locals and travelers can enjoy a peaceful moment during sightseeing.

At Yunokawa Hot Spring, you can enjoy history, breathtaking scenery, delicious food, and soothing waters—all in one place. Make Yunokawa Onsen the restorative centerpiece of your Hokkaido adventure.

Just about a 1-minute walk from Hakodate Station, the Hakodate Morning Market is a must-visit culinary destination with excellent access. Its origins date back to 1945, right after the end of World War II, when local farmers began selling vegetables and fruits in front of the station.

Today, about 250 shops line the bustling market, offering everything from fresh seafood like crab and salmon to locally grown vegetables and fruits straight from the farms of Hokkaido. You'll also find an impressive variety of local delicacies, snacks, and even daily necessities. Since some shops may sell out by early afternoon, it’s best to visit in the morning.

At the “Ekini Market” area, don’t miss the Live Squid Fishing Pond, where you can catch a squid yourself and enjoy it as fresh sashimi—an experience you can only find in Hakodate. Be sure to explore every corner of the market, including the “Hakodate Morning Market Plaza,” which features a local goods area, fresh produce section, and food court, as well as “Donburi Yokocho Market,” where you can indulge in top-quality seafood rice bowls made with the freshest ingredients.

In recent years, the market has introduced new services such as the unique “Select Morning Market” certification system, value-packed gift assortments called Tamatebako, and the convenient Smartphone Morning Market online shopping site.

This hot spring area, said to have opened in 1247, boasts the oldest history in Hokkaido. Known for its various benefits, such as healing burns and gastrointestinal diseases, it has long been cherished as a therapeutic hot spring. The solitary inn nestled in the vast nature features five naturally occurring hot spring sources, offering a variety of spring qualities. The two separate indoor baths for men and women are proud of their robustly built rock baths, with layers of petrified hot spring deposits 'yunohana' as a testament to its history. In recent years, the inn has added more barrier-free rooms and also accepts day-trip visitors.

Japan's first Catholic male monastery founded in 1896. Walk along tree-lined paths of Japanese cedar and poplar, and taste monastery-made butter and cookies.
Trappist Monastery, founded in 1896 (Meiji 29), has inscribed nearly 130 years of history as Japan's first Catholic male monastery. On the approach leading to the monastery, tree-lined paths of towering Japanese cedar and poplar stretch for about 200 meters, with sunlight filtering through leaves casting shadows on the ground. Walking along the approach wrapped in silence, only the sound of rustling leaves is heard, and the grounds are filled with sacred air where monastic life of prayer and labor is conducted.
At the shop, you can purchase Trappist cookies, fermented butter, and butter candies made with devotion by the monks. The special soft-serve ice cream with Trappist butter kneaded in spreads rich milk flavor and butter aroma in your mouth, characterized by cold, smooth texture. Behind the monastery, about 20 minutes on foot, is the Lourdes Cave, and on days blessed with good weather, you can view Mt. Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, and even the Tsugaru Peninsula beyond. Because it is a male monastery, women cannot enter the interior, but from the tree-lined paths and surrounding walking paths, you can enjoy seasonal scenery and spend quiet time unique to monasteries.