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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Hakodate Port Festival

AugustHakodate
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Overview

Overview

Hakodate's signature summer festival, which began in 1935 as an event commemorating the opening of the port, to lift the spirits of residents after the Great Hakodate Fire of 1934. It opens with the Doshin Fireworks Display on the first day, and the "Wasshoi Hakodate" parade, famous for Hakodate's "Ika Odori" (squid dance), winds through the city.

When
Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)
Venue
Hakodate Port (Midori-no-Shima), and the parade routes from Hakodate Station to Matsukaze-cho and from Chiyogadai to Goryokaku
Official website
https://hakodate-kankou.com/event/2026/0629-22656/
Highlights

Highlights

The fireworks light up the night sky and sea over Hakodate Port (in five parts including wide star mines and underwater fireworks, 2026 example), and the parade features the "Ika Odori," in which dancers mimic squid with their hands to the song "Ika~ sashi, ika sashi..." Tourists can drop in and join the Ika Odori too.

Times

Times

Doshin Fireworks DisplayAbout 19:45–20:50

2026 example (August 1, launched from Midori-no-Shima). Held in light rain; postponed to August 5 in severe weather

Wasshoi Hakodate (Jujigai–Matsukaze route)16:30–21:30 (planned)

2026 example (August 2, Toyokawa-cho – Hakodate Station – Matsukaze-cho). Drop-in participants for the general Ika Odori section gather around 19:20. If canceled due to rain, postponed to August 4

Wasshoi Hakodate (Chiyogadai–Goryokaku route)16:30–21:30 (planned)

2026 example (August 3, Chiyogadai-cho – Hon-cho – Goryokaku-cho). Drop-in participants for the general Ika Odori section gather around 19:50 (near the Nakajima-cho intersection)

Food stalls9:00–21:00

2026 example (August 1–5, along Hakodate Green Plaza). Until 22:00 on fireworks day

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓You can join the Ika Odori even with no experience. Wear comfortable clothes and be at the meeting point at the gathering time (2026: around 19:20 on the 2nd and around 19:50 on the 3rd). Costumes that hide your face are not allowed
  • ✓The fireworks can be seen from around the port quays near Hakodate Station (Ote-machi, Toyokawa-cho, etc.). There is no parking at the venue, so come by streetcar or on foot
  • ✓On fireworks day, traffic restrictions are in place around the venue from 18:00 (2026 example)
  • ✓Hakodate Station and the streetcars get crowded after the fireworks, so staying between Hakodate Station and the Bay Area lets you walk back easily
  • ✓Backup dates are set for both the fireworks and the parades in case of rain, so check official information on the day
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Hakodate StationAbout 5 min on foot to the fireworks viewing area (around the port quays)The August 2 parade passes in front of Hakodate Station
  • Hakodate-ekimae streetcar stopRight outsideAlong the Jujigai–Matsukaze parade route
  • Matsukaze-cho streetcar stopAbout 3 min on footHakodate Green Plaza, lined with food stalls
  • Goryokaku-koen-mae streetcar stopRight outsideAlong the Chiyogadai–Goryokaku route on August 3
From major stations
  • Hakodate Airport: Airport shuttle bus to Hakodate Station (About 20–30 min)
  • Sapporo Station: JR limited express "Hokuto" to Hakodate Station (About 3 hours 40 min – 4 hours)
  • Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (Hokkaido Shinkansen): Hakodate Liner to Hakodate Station (About 15–20 min)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Hakodate streetcars and Hakodate Bus mainly use the regional IC card (ICAS nimoca). Nationwide transport IC cards may not be accepted, so bring small change or get a one-day pass to be safe
Getting back
  • Right after the fireworks end, the Hakodate Station area and streetcars are extremely crowded. Wait a little, or stay within walking distance of your accommodation
  • During the parades, traffic restrictions may disrupt streetcar and bus schedules
  • There is no parking near the venue, so avoid coming by car
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Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Around the fireworks on the first day (around the 19:45 start), and the evening parades on the 2nd and 3rd (after 19:00, when the Ika Odori starts)
Quieter times
The 4th and 5th (if nothing is postponed), and the food stalls during the day
Saving a spot
To get a good spot on the port quays, aim to arrive 1–2 hours before the fireworks start
Time needed
The fireworks last about 1 hour. Allow 1–2 hours to watch the parade
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
In Hakodate, the normal low in August is about 19–20°C (a reference value based on JMA normals). By the sea, the wind can make it feel chilly
What to wear
Summer clothes are fine, but the night breeze on the port quays can be cool, so bring a light long-sleeved layer
Rain, snow & typhoons
The fireworks go ahead in light rain and are postponed to August 5 in severe weather. If a parade is canceled due to rain, it is postponed to August 4 (2026 example)
Where to check for cancellations
Hakodate City's official tourism site "Hakobura," Hakodate International Tourism and Convention Association (0138-27-3535)
☁ Hokkaido weather in August →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Drones are prohibited at the fireworks display (2026 guidance)
  • !When joining the Ika Odori, costumes or decorations that hide your face are not allowed
  • !Take your trash home or sort it into the designated bins
  • !On the quays, do not climb over railings or get too close to the water
  • !Do not obstruct the progress of the parade
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets at Hakodate Station and nearby commercial facilities get crowded before and after the fireworks, so go early
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers at Hakodate Station fill up quickly when it's busy. It's best to leave suitcases at your accommodation before coming
Paying at food stalls
Many food stalls are cash only, so bring small change
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) around Hakodate Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The quays for the fireworks and the parade routes get extremely crowded, so wheelchair and stroller users should secure a spot early
Food

Food

Local favorites
Ika sashi (squid sashimi) and ika meshi (rice-stuffed squid)Seafood rice bowls at the Hakodate Morning MarketShio (salt) ramenBurgers and other local specialtiesFood stall snacks
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare at food stalls, so choosing a restaurant is the safer option
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Early August is the busy summer vacation season, and accommodation between Hakodate Station and the Bay Area fills up quickly, especially on fireworks day. Book early

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Hakodate Port FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Hakodate Port Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

February

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

April–October

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

June

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

December

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

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