Where to Stay in Hakodate: Choosing the Right Area

JR Hakodate Station is the terminal for the Hakodate Liner to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and the Limited Express Hokuto, and airport buses and streetcars leave from in front of the station. The Hakodate Morning Market is right next to the station, making it easy to go for a seafood breakfast.

Best for

• ✓First trips to Hakodate
• ✓Those who want breakfast at the morning market
• ✓Travelers heading to Onuma or Sapporo by train

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Hakodate Station; Hakodate-Ekimae stop (Hakodate City Tram)

The waterfront Bay Area, lined with the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, and the sloping streets of Motomachi with its churches and Western-style buildings. It is close to the base station of the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, so you can walk back to your hotel after seeing the night view.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to see the night view from Mt. Hakodate
• ✓Anyone who enjoys strolling through a port town
• ✓Couples

Keep in mind

Motomachi has many slopes, so the tram or a taxi makes things easier when you have heavy luggage.

Nearest stations

🚉 Jujigai and Suehiro-cho stops (Hakodate City Tram)

The area around Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower, surrounded by Hakodate's main cluster of restaurants and shops. The tram runs directly to Hakodate-Ekimae and Yunokawa Onsen.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to eat at local restaurants
• ✓Visitors coming for cherry blossoms or autumn leaves at Goryokaku Park

Keep in mind

It is some distance from Hakodate Station and Mt. Hakodate, so you will mostly get around by tram.

Nearest stations

🚉 Goryokaku-Koen-Mae stop (Hakodate City Tram)

A hot spring town facing the Tsugaru Strait, lined with large hot spring hotels and ryokan. It is close to Hakodate Airport, and the tram takes you to Goryokaku and Hakodate-Ekimae, so you can combine hot springs with sightseeing in the city.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to relax in a hot spring
• ✓Family trips with children
• ✓The first or last night of a trip using the airport

Keep in mind

Getting to Motomachi or the Mt. Hakodate night view means taking the tram or a taxi.

Nearest stations

🚉 Yunokawa-Onsen and Yunokawa stops (Hakodate City Tram)

An area on the shores of the lakes in Onuma Quasi-National Park, where you can spend time in nature on sightseeing boats, bicycles or canoes. The Limited Express Hokuto stops at JR Onuma-Koen Station, so you can get there by train from Hakodate Station or Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.

Best for

• ✓Those who want quiet time in nature
• ✓Anyone who wants to go cycling or canoeing

Keep in mind

There are few places to stay or eat, so decide where to have dinner in advance.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Onuma-Koen Station