Hakodate Japan
Country: Japan · Region: Japan · Currency: Japanese Yen
Hakodate is a historic port city on southern Hokkaido that served as one of Japan's first open trade ports, featuring European architectural influences and stunning views of the city and surrounding Tsugaru Strait. As the third-largest city on Hokkaido, it offers a blend of cultural heritage, natural attractions, and local cuisine.
Top sights
Mount Hakodate, Fort Goryōkaku, Goryōkaku Tower, Motomachi historic district, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Hakodate Museum of Northern Peoples
Things to do
- Fort Goryōkaku
- A star-shaped fort completed in 1864, Japan's first Western-style fortress, now a large park with a museum on local history.
- Mount Hakodate
- A 334-meter mountain offering one of the world's three best night views of a city, accessible by ropeway or bus.
- Goryōkaku Tower
- A 90-meter viewing platform offering striking views of the star-shaped fort and seasonal displays with dioramas on local history.
- Motomachi
- A historical district featuring European-style buildings, churches, consulates, and temples dating to Japan's early foreign trade period.
Where to eat
- Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses
- Historic warehouses at the end of the Meiji era housing restaurants serving seafood and other commercial facilities.
Forecast for Hakodate
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Weather in Hakodate by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F | 21°F | 2.4 in | 10 |
| February | 33°F | 21°F | 2.3 in | 9 |
| March | 43°F | 30°F | 3.2 in | 12 |
| April | 52°F | 39°F | 3.4 in | 11 |
| May | 61°F | 48°F | 3.7 in | 12 |
| June | 66°F | 56°F | 4.5 in | 12 |
| July | 74°F | 65°F | 4.6 in | 13 |
| August | 76°F | 68°F | 7.3 in | 14 |
| September | 72°F | 61°F | 5.2 in | 12 |
| October | 61°F | 49°F | 4.6 in | 11 |
| November | 49°F | 37°F | 3.7 in | 11 |
| December | 36°F | 26°F | 2.8 in | 11 |
Getting around
Hakodate is served by streetcar lines and roughly 200 bus lines; day passes cost ¥600-¥1,000 for streetcar, bus, or both.
What to eat
The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses area features restaurants serving fresh seafood, and there is a Morning Market near Hakodate Station.
Tips
Visit Mount Hakodate at sunset or before for the best views and to avoid the 40-minute waiting queue for the cable car back from the summit.
Best for
Historic architecture and views
More ports in Japan
Kagoshima · Kobe · Nagasaki · Okinawa (Naha) · Osaka · Tokyo (Yokohama)