I’m travelling to Hakodate in Nov to help my daughter settle in while she does her internship there.
I need advice on the following:
1. The place she is staying at is really far from the city (close to the mountain). Should I bunk in at her apartment or book a separate hotel so she can stay with me and enjoy the city on the 2 weekends that I’ll be there?
2. I asked ChatGPT for a 12- day itinerary and here’s what it suggested. I doubt I would be able to complete all. Which places/things would you recommended are a Must-See or Must-Do?
3. What is the cheapest way to commute as I’ll be there for 12 days.
Thank you!
**Day 1: Arrival in Hakodate**
– Arrive at Hakodate Airport.
– Check-in.
– Rest and explore the neighborhood.
**Day 2: Hakodate City**
– Morning: Visit Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower.
– Afternoon: Explore Motomachi, including the Red Brick Warehouses.
– Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner in the bay area.
**Day 3: Hakodate Morning Market and Hot Springs**
– Morning: Breakfast at Hakodate Morning Market.
– Afternoon: Relax in an onsen (hot spring) like Yunokawa Onsen.
– Evening: Stroll along Yunokawa Beach.
**Day 4: Onuma Quasi-National Park**
– Day trip to Onuma Quasi-National Park, known for its beautiful lakes and nature.
– Enjoy hiking or cycling around the park.
**Day 5: Trappistine Convent and History**
– Morning: Visit Trappistine Convent for homemade cookies.
– Afternoon: Explore Hakodate Historical Village.
– Evening: Try Hakodate’s famous curry.
**Day 6: Mount Hakodate**
– Morning: Visit Fort Goryokaku.
– Afternoon: Ride the ropeway to the summit of Mount Hakodate for stunning city views.
– Evening: Have dinner with a view.
**Day 7: Hakodate City Exploration**
– Explore Hakodate City more thoroughly, trying local delicacies.
– Visit places like Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples.
**Day 8: Yunokawa Onsen and Relaxation**
– Spend a relaxing day at Yunokawa Onsen.
– Enjoy spa treatments and the seaside.
**Day 9: Hakodate Morning Market and Crafts**
– Morning: Explore Hakodate Morning Market for seafood and local crafts.
– Afternoon: Visit the Hakodate Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse and shop for souvenirs.
**Day 10: Esashi and Cape Kamui**
– Day trip to Esashi and Cape Kamui for scenic beauty.
– Enjoy a leisurely drive and explore the fishing village.
**Day 11: Hakodate Gardens**
– Explore Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden or Hakodate Goryokaku Botanical Garden.
– Enjoy a serene garden setting.
**Day 12: Departure**
– Check out.
– Head to Hakodate Airport for your departure.
6 comments
People do not like point 2 here. Start by looking where these places are and if they make sense to visit on the same day. You would realize yourself some things ire area seems to repeat.
Also if you had done any research yourself you would know that one place is really famous at night and you did not have in mentioned as going at night.
Yeah, the one thing for sure, you won’t want to go to all those scenic places at once, since the weather at November is quite awful there. Literally, it’s very windy and rain is quite cold. Definitely amazing time of the year to enjoy Onsen appropriately.
Pierro is like mcdonalds there, local restaurant franchise where you can find basically any type of food. Not bad imo, has its own charm.
As for the mountains, if the location is where I think, it won’t be far from the bay area where the most sightseeing places are located (except Goryokaku obviously). The mobility there is fine, you have both buses and trams. Rarely stuck at any traffic jams. For small city I think transportation system is decent (yeah it’s Japan afteral), the quality of the roads is one of the worst in the region though, but it’s because of the climate.
Was just in hakodate!
Just do the goryokaku stuff together. The magistrate building was reasonably interesting. The tower view was good. Just go on a good weather day.
Hakodate observatory view was impressive as the city fans out. The ropeway is closed right now for inspection. I think it reopens early november. Check internet for sunset time. It is going to be early. Going up was easy for me but it was 35-45 min wait to go back down. Weather started fine but became cold, rainy, windy. As in miserable. Prob need to book for the restaurant
Red brick warehouses. Its just more shopping in some nice looking buildings. For something few have seen, japan’s oldest concrete electrical pole is a short walk from the warehouses.
Seafood market was decent, better than the one in sapporo and ohtaru. You can fish for a squid.
Onuma was lovely. Leaves starting to turn red last week. Its a short walk from station to entrance. There is a maybe one hour hike and a 15 min route. I walked the longer route and it was lovely.
So where to stay…i stayed next to the jr station next to the fish market. The city has a lovely tram system – i think it was 600¥ for one day unlimited rides or about 200¥ a ride.
There is an area near that station with a warren of tiny restaurants.
Lots of places seem to close early. It is a sleepy quiet town.
Hakodate is a small city. You could do everything in 2 or 3 days
The market is excellent, everything else is OK
There are some decent bath houses. I usually stay at Paco Hakodate which has a fantastic bath.
I visited the city in the summer. I cannot imagine the charm of Goryokaku Park in winter. It wasn’t all that impressive in summer. The ropeway up to the top of the mountain for sunset and night views is fun and, while perhaps more challenging in winter, seems worth it. I ate at a Lucky Pierrot Burgers and am glad for the experience (and food). It’s a local institution. As another commented, a couple of days should be enough to see most of the sights.
Is it a slow vacation where you are mostly sitting at a cafe and just hanging out? Otherwise 12 days is too much. Hakodate is very small. A lot of these days can be combined. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation then this will be fine.
Just read that you are helping your daughter settle in so I guess this is fine.