Hakodate, Japan

Jump to your feet and immerse yourself in the Hakodate Morning Market: fresh fish, crabs staring you down from the tanks, and aromas that captivate you. Then take a ride on the Hakodate cable car and watch the city pass by below you. Finally, get lost in the Motomachi Area: scenic hills, historic buildings, and views that seem to speak to you. Hakodate reveals itself with a character all of its own: lively and memorable.

• Hakodate morning market with shopping coupon
• Cable car ride with views of the city from above
• Motomachi Area

Wake up early and head to Hakodate Morning Market, because here, the early bird doesn't get the worm: instead, there are live crabs looking sideways at you. Surrounded by the freshest fish, glossy fruits and constant chatter, you'll find yourself in the middle of a little gastronomic battlefield, from which you'll no doubt emerge happier (and perhaps hungrier). While we're on the subject, are you starting to feel a little peckish? The first taste is on us, with a coupon to use at the market!

Then take flight with the Hakodate Ropeway: Suspended in midair on a cable car, the city unfolds beneath you like a living model. From up there, Hakodate seems to say to you: “See? I can surprise you whenever I like.”

Next stop: Motomachi, the neighborhood that collects climbs and descents as if they were trophies, and it's all yours to explore however you like. Climb Motoi-zaka with its historic houses, pass through Motomachi Park, and then let yourself be drawn into the Old Public Hall, with its marble, decorations, and elegance reminiscent of a time when “style” wasn't optional.

Finish off at Hachiman-zaka, which seems designed to make you slow down and look into the distance. From here, the sea stretches out into the distance, creating a sense of calm that gets your thoughts in order, and you'll immediately understand why filmmakers and photographers choose this location time and again.

And when you head back to the port, you'll realize that Hakodate has already seduced you, just like those places that don't need to convince you, because they've already got under your skin.

• The views from the cable car are highly dependent on the weather. In case of strong winds or bad weather, the cable car service may be canceled without prior notice. If possible, we will travel to the observatory by bus.
• Motomachi is a hilly area and is not recommended for wheelchair users.

Discover the secrets of Hakodate. Step into Onuma National Park and let yourself be swept away by lakes, trails, and the uncompromising nature of Hokkaido. Then discover the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center, with its amazing hollow clay figures, artifacts from a distant era and culture. End your day at the top of the Hakodate Ropeway, as the city lights up beneath you. A journey that combines tranquility, history and pure urban magic.

• Onuma National Park
• Hakodate Jomon Culture Center
• View of Hakodate from the cable car
• Lunch included

Start your trip in style with a dip into Hakodate's nature. Dive into Onuma National Park, between two lakes that look like they were designed by an artist who was a little too much of a perfectionist, with bridges, little islands and paths that change at every turn. It's one of those places that makes you want to slow down... and then speed up because you want to see what's next.

Then it's time for a change of atmosphere at the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center, where Japanese prehistory will blow you away. Here, the famous clay figures are the archaeological stars - national treasures that exist only in this part of Hokkaido. Strange, fascinating, and the more you look at them, the more you realize that Jomon culture is as distinctive as it is unique.

And if you feel like getting your hands dirty (literally), there are hands-on activities where you can take part without booking in advance. A rare moment when you can feel like a Jomon artist without anyone judging you.

Then comes the final twist: the Hakodate Ropeway. You'll head up and up, rising above the ground as if entering another chapter of the journey, and find yourself suspended above the city.

And when you return to the port, you'll have the feeling that you've just been through a short film: first with its incredible nature, then its millennial history, and then a city that shines as if it wants to be noticed. And, admit it, it did pretty well.

• The views from the cable car are highly dependent on the weather. In case of strong winds or bad weather, the cable car service may be canceled without prior notice. If possible, we will travel to the observatory by bus.

Get ready to discover Hakodate from another perspective. Take the Hakodate Ropeway and look out over the city from above, then head down (but still stay high) and step inside Goryokaku Tower. From its 107 meters, you can enjoy the incredible star-shaped fort from above (yes, it looks like something out of a strategy game). Continue on to the Trappist Convent, where tranquility and history intertwine amidst French architecture and monastic life.
Experience three different sides of Hakodate in one unique experience that you won't forget.

• Hakodate Ropeway: cable car ride
• Goryokaku Tower with views over the star-shaped fort
• Trappist Convent

Set off to conquer Hakodate: take the Hakodate Ropeway and conquer the city from above. Let yourself be taken up and away by the most iconic cable car in the area and watch as the city stretches out below you, with its rooftops, sea and the unmistakable curve of the peninsula (you feel a bit like a giant, right?).

Then head straight to Goryokaku and be amazed by its perfect geometry. From the star-shaped fort, with its typical Western touch, witness to almost 150 years of history, you'll head to Goryokaku Tower: 107 meters away, the spectacular design of the fort and moat comes to life beneath you, carved into the landscape. Here, precision is a must.

And finally, slow down and step inside the Trappist Convent, the first in Japan. Here, the pace of everything changes: architecture created by eight French nuns, curated gardens, and a silence that says more than a thousand words. Discover their history, the reconstruction after the fire of 1926, and the life that flows by hidden behind those walls.

Three districts, three souls, one city: Experience Hakodate on a journey that will surprise you, shake you up, and stay with you forever.

• The views from the cable car are highly dependent on the weather. In case of strong winds or bad weather, the cable car service may be canceled without prior notice. If possible, we will travel to the observatory by bus.
• The view from Goryokaku Tower is subject to weather conditions, and the tower may be closed in strong winds. If this is the case, the tour will be replaced with a visit to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
• Some areas of the Trappist Convent can only be reached via stairs and are therefore not wheelchair accessible.

Ready to discover all sides of Hakodate? Set off from the Seikan Tunnel Memorial and feel the force of the sheer ingenuity that carved out this structure beneath the ocean. Gaze into the eyes of sumo culture at the Yokozuna Memorial, then travel through centuries of history at Matsumae Castle. Finally, breathe in the calm of the Trappist Convent. Hakodate tells it like it is.

• Seikan Tunnel memorial
• Yokozuna: the memorial dedicated to Sumo culture
• Matsumae Castle
• Tobetsu Trappist Convent

Let yourself be embraced by the unique spirit of the island of Hokkaido: set off from Hakodate! You'll start your adventure at the Seikan Tunnel Memorial, where you can retrace the incredible feat of engineering that pierced the depths of the sea. Wander past 3D models, images and panels narrating years of challenges, accidents, courage, and the sheer determination to build the world's longest undersea railway tunnel. Here, you can feel the presence of the men who turned the impossible into a real journey.

Then, enter the Yokozuna Memorial: suddenly, you'll find yourself immersed in the culture of sumo, the heart of Japan's most combative side. Let the stories of Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji wash over you, with photos, memorabilia and stories that pulsate with discipline, sweat and glory. Admit it - you'd like to be part of it too!

Now it's time for a shift in atmosphere, in the town that once marked the edge of the known world: Matsumae. Here, the wind still carries the echoes of the merchants, samurai and garrisons who guarded Japan's last stronghold. Matsumae Castle, the only one of its kind in Hokkaido, welcomes you with its history on the outer reaches of the country, and boasts courtyards, towers and tales of an era when everything was ripe for conquering or defending.

And just when you think the adventure is over, the deep silence of the Tobetsu Trappist Convent, the first in the country, awaits you. Stroll through corridors that carry the scent of tranquility and discover the faces and lives of those who chose to devote themselves to just the essential in the museum.

Finish your journey with a deep breath: Hakodate will have showed you a different side to the island, one that you'll never forget!

Please Note: Space is limited, therefore we strongly suggest to book early. Due to travel season in Japan, heavy traffic jam will be expected. There is no place to exchange money in the port, preparing Japanese Yen is strongly recommended. The clear view of the landscape is subject to the weather conditions. Wear low-heeled, comfortable walking shoes.

English & other European tour guides are subject to availability.

Discover Hakodate's unmissable places and unforgettable flavors. Start your day in style at Goryokaku, designated a special historic site, and admire the star-shaped fort from the top of Goryokaku Tower. And while you're there... enjoy the Japanese lunch, it's included. Then lose yourself in the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse: 40 shops, red bricks and mini cheesecakes that disappear in a single bite. Hop on board the Hakodate Ropeway and fly over the city by cable car to Mount Hakodate: from here, you can take in the whole city.
A tour that satisfies your soul (and your stomach too).

• Goryokaku, historic site with a star-shaped fort
• Climb up the Goryokaku Tower with views over the fort
• Typical lunch included
• Explore the 40 shops within the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
• Hakodate Ropeway: cable car ride

Set off to discover Hakodate with one of its most unmissable gems: **Goryokaku, a star-shaped fort, complete with moat and garden, seems to have been designed by someone with an obvious flair for creative geometry. Instead, it is a special historical site that has dominated the area for 150 years.
View from below not impressive enough? Get ready to change your mind! Climb up the Goryokaku Tower**, 107 meters high, and observe the entire layout of the fort and its moat as if you were scrutinizing a giant map perfectly carved into the landscape.

But all this discovery will have left you hungry. A Japanese lunch awaits: flavor, tradition and a well-earned rest.

Then, it's time for a total change in pace and style at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. More than a century ago, these were warehouses looking out over the port; today, they are a paradise of red brick and unique little stores where you can find unusual accessories, items you didn't know you wanted, and, above all, those mini cheesecakes that are practically a religion in Hakodate. The Pastry Snaffle's and Petite Merveille pastry shops will force you to give into temptation: sit down and savor what they have to offer. You've got an excuse - it's all “for culinary research”.

Just when you think you've seen it all, hop onto the Hakodate Ropeway and set off for Mount Hakodate. The cable car will take you to the top, and from a height of 334 meters, the city will open up below you in a perfect mosaic: the port, the peninsula, the city's neighborhoods and a feeling of peace and wonder that never leaves you.

Hakodate takes you from the past to the present, from sweet treats to panoramic views: make sure your eyes, your stomach and your curiosity are primed. This tour will satisfy all three.

• The views from the cable car are highly dependent on the weather. In case of strong winds or bad weather, the cable car service may be canceled without prior notice. If possible, we will travel to the observatory by bus.
• The view from Goryokaku Tower is subject to weather conditions, and the tower may be closed in strong winds. If this is the case, the tour will be replaced with a trip to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
• Some areas of the Trappist Convent can only be reached via stairs and are therefore not wheelchair accessible.

Discover the different faces of Hakodate. Explore Goryokaku and its star-shaped western fort. Then let yourself be embraced by the silence of the Trappist Convent, the first in Japan, and finally prepare yourself for the real star of the show: Yunokawa Hot Spring. One of Hokkaido's most famous springs, it's just a stone's throw from the ocean, with boiling water, relaxing views and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you can finally breathe.
Hakodate invites you to relax, and you can't help but accept.

• Goryokaku: a historic star-shaped fortress with a moat and gardens
• Trappist Convent
• Yunokawa thermal baths

Start your day by stepping into history: explore Goryokaku, the star-shaped fort that looks like it was designed by an artist with a weakness for perfect geometry. Wander along its paths, imagine life 150 years ago, and enjoy this journey back in time (whilst keeping your feet firmly in the present).

Then slow down at the Trappist Convent, the first in Japan, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels: an oasis of silence founded by eight French nuns in 1898. Here, elegant buildings, manicured gardens and stories of monastic life remind you that being calm is an art. One which they have been practicing it for more than a century.

And now comes the moment you've been waiting for: Yunokawa Hot Spring. One of the three most famous hot springs in Hokkaido, the ultimate “hot spot”. Literally. Just a few steps from the ocean, surrounded by spa resorts where you can wallow in baths overlooking the sea, Yunokawa is the place where you can leave behind your fatigue, stress, and any errant thoughts. The warm water envelops you, the sea air re-balances you, and all that remains for you to do is to enjoy the moment.

Hakodate takes you by the hand and treats you to a bath that is worth the trip. Get ready to emerge reborn.

• Tattoos are not permitted at the hot springs.

• Some areas of the Trappist Convent can only be reached via stairs and are therefore not wheelchair accessible.

• Limited number of Italian guides; if none are available, you will be accompanied by a guide who will conduct the tour in English.

Climb the Goryokaku Tower and watch the city transform: Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, the Yokotsu mountain range, and above all, star-shaped Goryokaku, a special historic site. Next, explore Goryokaku Park, where history and nature go hand in hand, and visit the Bugyosho, a flawless reconstruction of the old magistrate's office. With its transparent floors and views that draw an involuntary “wow,” Hakodate reveals its most charming and slightly rebellious side

• Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower for a memorable view
• Visit to the Bugyosho

Head straight to Goryokaku Tower and get ready to see Hakodate from a perspective you never expected. From above, the city reveals its perfect star, Goryokaku Park, which looks as if it were carved with the help of a ruler. The Tsugaru Strait slips past in the background, while the Yokotsu Mountain Range demonstrates that here, nature goes all in.

Inside the tower, the Goryokaku History Corridor awaits - a journey that tells of wars, strategies and architectural genius, as befits a place with such an epic history. And when you get to the infamous transparent glass floor, you'll discover that you have the world at your feet (literally), and you'll feel like you're flying.

Then head down to the heart of Goryokaku Park, a place that alternates Zen-like tranquility and historical vibes. Everything here seems to speak to you: the trees, the moats, and even the air that passes through the sheltered walkways. Obviously, he doesn't go unnoticed: that is, the statue of Toshizo Hijikata, the iconic vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, who keeps watch over the park. Don't miss the Bugyosho, a reconstruction of the ancient magistrate's office. Come in and imagine the discussions, decisions and intrigues that took place here.

And as you leave the park, you'll realize that Goryokaku doesn't need to convince you: it has already seduced you with that irresistible blend of elegance and character.

• The view from Goryokaku Tower is subject to weather conditions, and the tower may be closed in strong winds. If this is the case, the tour will be replaced with a visit to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
• Visitors to Bugyosho are required to remove their shoes