A road trip to Southern Hokkaido often focuses on three main scenic spots, chiefly the streets of Hakodate, driving along Uchiura Bay (Uchiura-wan) and the lakes and marshes. Be enchanted by the ‘1 million dollar night view’ from Mt Hakodate and stroll through the charming and exotic streets of Hakodate, filled with history and nostalgia. Check out the magnificent wildlife and nature of Ohnuma National Park, situated north of Hakodate. Visitors can stroll along the nature walks within this park or get on a canoe on the lake to enjoy another perspective of the park at your own pace. Further north, the beauty of Lake Toya, its nighttime fireworks and a luxurious hot spring town greets you. Drive over to Lake Shikotsu and its surrounding primeval forests and admire the wondrous beauty of the lake bottom from a sightseeing boat.
In plain terms, Hakodate is simply a town filled with the freshest of seafood. Check out the generous servings of the seafood bowl and ika (squid) sashimi at Hakodate Asa-ichi’s (morning market) dining hall. Savor the fresh and delicious treasures of the sea. Another item that most people would like to get their hands on is the ‘Ohnuma Dango’ or dumplings from Ohnuma National Park, a snack you can easily enjoy while behind the wheels. The soft serve ice-cream in Ohnuma-cho’s Yamakawa Farm is also well-known in the region. Take your time to stroll through Ohnuma Park so that you can fill your hungry stomach with all these delicacies later.
Yunokawa Onsen (hot spring)
A short distance from Hakodate Airport and one of the leading hot spring towns in Hokkaido
Legend has it that the 9th daimyo of Matsumae clan, Takahiro Matsumae, used this hot spring when he was young. Rife with history, this hot spring town is one of the largest in Hokkaido. This huge hot spring town is made up of more than 30 accommodations ranging from large hotels to ‘ryokans’ (Japanese-styled inns) and guest houses, 5 public bathhouses and numerous restaurants. This is a highly recommended spot for tourists as it is near Hakodate Airport.
Mt Hakodate Observatory
Get on a 3 minutes gondola ride and be presented with a million dollar night view
Ride on a large gondola with the capacity to carry 125 people and arrive at the peak, standing at 334 meters above sea level. Get an unbroken view of a fan-shaped Hakodate city in between the Tsugaru Straits and Hakodate Bay. On a clear afternoon, visitors can see as far as Mt Komagatake and the faraway Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture. At night, the view transforms into a jewel box of beautiful lights, one of the top three night views of the world. The restaurant in the second floor offers one a private view of the night scene and reservations are required.
Hakodate Asaichi (morning market)
Right next to JR Hakodate Station. One of the largest markets in Hakodate.
Situated right next to JR Hakodate Station is one of the few large scale markets in Hokkaido. About 280 stalls are spread out within this 30, 000 square meters premise. After the war, womenfolk from the surrounding farms started to bring their fresh produce to this area, thus starting the tradition of this morning market. Even today, residents of Hakodate frequent this area for their groceries. In addition to fresh seafood, dried foods, vegetables and daily necessities can also be found here.
Kanamori Warehouse
Red-bricks warehouses make a perfect setting against Hakodate Port
The symbolic red-bricks warehouses at Hakodate’s Bay Area. The five warehouses that are a remnant of Meiji period were refashioned into shopping malls, restaurants, beer halls and multi-purpose rooms. Revel in the historical and romantic atmosphere of a port town while strolling through a variety of unique shops. Visitors can also rent a bicycle to get around Hakodate’s popular tourist spots.
Hakodate Old Public Hall
A landmark that overlooks Hakodate port.
Completed in 1910 (Meiji 43) with almost no limit on budget costs, the crown prince at that time (Emperor Taisho) stayed here with the empress dowager. Characteristics of this building include its symmetrical colonial style architecture and its tones of blue, grey and yellow. The chandelier hanging in the main hall is a reminder of the extravagance of the past. This building was designated as the country’s important cultural property in 1974 (Showa 49).
Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church
Russia’s Byzantine-styled church
Built on Daisanzaka and known as one of westside Hakodate’s symbol, this was the premise for the first Greek Orthodox Church, introduced to Japan in 1859 (Ansei 6) by a Russian priest named Nikolai. The characteristic long, narrow and triangular bell tower and the three smaller domes reminiscent of modern Byzantine-styled buildings were reconstructed in 1916 (Taisho 5). Locals fondly name this church ‘Gan gan tera’ for the sound of its bells.
Hakodate’s Old British Consulate
A western-styled building that recreates the office of the British Consulate
A Victorian-styled manor that was completed in 1913 (Taisho 2), with chic white walls and stylish window frames, this building was used as the British Consulate until 1934 (Showa 9). Reopened in March 2009 as an exhibition room, this building now carries dual themes, presenting images of Hakodate Port through the perspective of a ‘British Consulate’. The Old British Consulate was designated as one of Hakodate city’s tangible cultural assets in 1979 (Showa 54).
Tachimachi-Misaki
Offering beautiful views popular among literary fans
Situated in the southeast side of Mt Hakodate is a cape that overlooks Tsugaru Straits. Due to its vantage point over the sea, a fort was built here during the Kansei era as a lookout for foreign vessels. On clear days, the streets of Hakodate in the north and Shimokita Peninsula and Tsugaru Straits can be seen in the south. Nearby lies the family tomb of Takuboku Ishikawa and a tanka inscription by Hiroshi Yosano, drawing many literary fans to this particular spot.
Ohnuma National Park
One of Hokkaido’s representative scenic spot that provides a view of Shuho and Komagatake
Ohnuma National Park, a scenic spot that encompasses various lakes and marshes, including Komagatake, Ohnuma, Konuma and Junsainuma. One of the country’s oldest nature parks and boasting of a land area the size of Kanagawa Prefecture, Ohnuma National Park is also the origin of various resorts in Hokkaido. Visitors can rent canoes or boats to get a closer look at the colors of the seasons or cycle along the lake while admiring the natural landscape.
Toyako Onsen (hot spring
Found on the coast of Lake Toya, a hot spring town with origins in the volcanic explosion of Mt Uzu
Lake Toya Onsen was developed after the volcanic explosion of Mt Uzu in 1910 (Meiji 43), where the source of the hot spring was created. Recovering from the extensive damages brought on by Mt Uzu’s explosion in 2000, there are currently a total of 12 hotels and ryokans (Japanese-styled inns) along the coast of Lake Toya. With numerous souvenir shops and restaurants found along its streets, this town has clearly recovered from its previous setback.
Lake Toya
One of the rare caldera lakes in Japan
The third largest caldera lake in Japan, Lake Toya has four islands in the middle and spans 43 kilometers. With a hot spring town along the lakeside, this is one of the main tourist hotspots in Hokkaido. Daily fireworks festival runs from late April to mid-October. In addition, Mt Uzu and Showa Shinzan are located near the lake.
Sculpture Park surrounding Lake Toya
An artistic park filled with 58 beautiful sculptures
A well-tended park lining almost the whole coast of Lake Toya. 58 sculptures based on the theme, ‘Song in Praise of Life’, lines the coast of Lake Toya, from Lake Toya Onsen and Soubetsu Onsen to the Ukimido Park in the northern coast of the lake. These sculptures were made from a variety of raw materials, including bronze, marble and granite. Created in a range of styles and a variety of shapes, art lovers can truly enjoy themselves in this outdoor museum.
Ashi-yu (hot spring footbath) Park, Lake Toya Onsen
A facility that allows visitors to enjoy a foot or hand bath
Established in November 2004 is a park with footbath and handbath within this hot spring town. In addition to a foot and hand bath, there is a Bhaisajyaguru Temple (Medicine Buddha), a Yuukake Jizou (hot spring spirit), and a vending machine selling towels. A unique form of paper fortune is available next to the Bhaisajyaguru Temple. Visitors will get an empty piece of paper and words will magically appear after the paper is soaked in the hot spring.
Nishiyama Crater Promenade
Approach the crater of a still active volcano
Get to approach Mt Uzu’s Nishiyama crater, a volcano that was created during a volcanic explosion in March 2000, and stroll along a 1.6 kilometer pathway along the crater. Witness the power of the volcanic explosion, as evidenced by new landforms created by crustal movements, the broken asphalt, damaged houses and twisted electrical poles. You can still see smoke belch out of the crater and steam seeping out through the cracks on the ground.
Mt Uzu Ropeway
Gaze upon the majestic backdrop of Lake Toya
Found here is a ropeway that is built on top of Mt Uzu, one of Japan’s more active volcanoes, of which a total of 4 eruptions were observed during the past 100 years. A one way trip up the mountain takes about 6 minutes on the ropeway. Covered by bare rocks, the peak of Mt Uzu stands at 734 meters and its Lake Toya Observation Deck overlooks Lake Toya and Showa Shinzan while its Mt Uzu Crater Observation Deck overlooks the gaping Mt Uzu crater. With a 1.1 kilometers promenade along the outer rim of the crater, visitors can enjoy an exhilarating and hair-raising trek all the way to the crater of the volcano.
Showa Shinzan
Be blown away by the power of this active volcano. Check out the sightseeing spots nearby.
Created from a series of earthquakes that shifted the earth, a mountain suddenly rose from a flat wheat field to become what is known as Showa Shinzan today. The mountain is now designated as a Special Natural Monument. Covered in reddish brown rocks, this is an active volcano that belches out smoke even now. Don’t forget to drop by Mt Uzu’s ropeway and Showa Shinzan’s Bear Farm located near this volcano.
Lake Shikotsu
A natural treasure trove holding a range of exciting activities.
Lake Shikotsu is well-known as one of the clearest lakes in Japan and as ‘Japan’s northernmost non-freezing lake’. Surrounded by 1000 meters of highlands including Mt Eniwa, Fubbushi-dake, Mt Monbetsu, Mt Tarumae and primeval forest, there are many activities available. Visitors can enjoy a variety of nature activities, like hot springs, camping, fishing, bird-watching and diving.
Lake Shikotsu Sightseeing Ferry
Choose among four kinds of ferry to enjoy the cobalt blue lake
Check out the sightseeing ferry that runs on Lake Shikotsu, well-known as being Japan’s northernmost non-freezing lake and one of the deepest and clearest in the country. Marvel at the cobalt blue lake and the verdant green of the surrounding mountains as you enjoy your ferry ride. One of the popular ferries with a see-through glass at a depth of 2 meters allows visitors to admire the bare harsh rocks and the beautiful ripples of current over the sand at the bottom of the lake. Visitors can also choose between a fast and exciting high speed boat, a large ferry that seats 200 people, and a paddle-boat that allows one to leisurely enjoy the beauty of the lake.
Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center
Exhibits that brings the nature of Lake Shikotsu closer to you
Lake Shikotsu is surrounded by mountain ranges painted in a rich variety of alpine plants and deep forests. The nature surrounding Lake Shikotsu is explained through simplified images and dioramas in this facility. Visitors can learn about the ecology and admire the forests of Shikotsu, observe the natural adaptation of various floras within the harsh environment of Mt Tarumae and check out the underwater trees of the lake. This eco-friendly facility uses solar and geothermal energy as its source of power.
