Join me on an exciting journey through Hakodate’s most captivating sights. Step back in time at the star-shaped Fort, feel the energy of the bustling Morning Market. Soak in breathtaking views from the top of Mt. Hakodate and stroll through the historic Red Brick Warehouses, now home to trendy shops and cafes. With stories, surprises, and scenic beauty, this tour is perfect for curious travelers looking to truly feel Hakodate.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel lobby or in front of the major facility
- *Pick-up from areas other than JR Hakodate Station, Goryokaku, or Yunokawa may require an extra fee. ■ Travel Time to Goryokaku – From JR Hakodate Station ・Streetcar: approx. 15-minute walk + 20-minute ride *Streetcar fare: ¥300 per person (not included) – From Minato-cho Pier ・Taxi: approx. 15-20 minutes *Taxi fare: ¥2,000-2,500 per car (not included)
Enjoy Local Flavors at Hakodate Morning Market *50-minute stay
Hakodate Morning Market is one of the most exciting places in the city—especially if you love seafood or just enjoy a good adventure! It’s located only a short walk from Hakodate Station, and it opens bright and early, around 5:00 AM.
The market is full of fresh seafood like crab, squid, scallops, sea urchin, and salmon roe—straight from the nearby sea.
There are also cozy little restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) with your choice of toppings. And if seafood isn’t your thing, don’t panic—there are fruits, snacks, and sweets too. Nobody leaves hungry.
More than just food, the market is a place to experience the local Hakodate vibe. Chat with friendly vendors, discover strange and wonderful ingredients, and enjoy the cheerful, sometimes loud, morning energy. It’s part meal, part cultural adventure.
*Departure time: 10:00 AM
Travel time to Goryokaku : 15-minute walk + 20-minute ride
Feel the atmosphere through the local area + enjoy the streetcar ride
*Streetcar fare: ¥300 per person (not included)
Explore Goryokaku – A Must-See in Hakodate & Lunch *2-hour stay in total
Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort and one of Hakodate’s top attractions. It was built in the 1864 for defense and is now a peaceful park full of history and beauty.
From Goryokaku Tower, you can enjoy a perfect view of the star shape and take great photos. Inside the tower, there are historical exhibits including detailed dioramas, models, and panels that explain the story of Goryokaku and the people who were part of its history, also the final days of the samurai era. It's a great way to learn more about the past while enjoying the view.
Inside the park, you can also find the reconstructed Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, which offers a deeper look into samurai government and architecture. If you’re interested, we can stop by during the tour!
Goryokaku is beautiful in every season. In summer, it’s full of green trees and flowers. Autumn brings colorful leaves, and in winter, snow turns the fort into a white star. Each season offers a different charm.
Don’t miss this special place that blends nature, beauty, and fascinating history!
*Tower ticket: ¥1200/person (not included)
*Admission fee for Hakodate Magistrate’s Office ¥500/person(not included)
*Lunch (not included) — kindly pay at the restaurant.
Departure time: 12:40 AM
Travel time to Mt. Hakodate: 15-minute walk + 25-minute ride
Feel the atmosphere through the local area + enjoy the streetcar ride
*Streetcar fare: ¥300 per person (not included)
Breathtaking Views from Mt Hakodate (Cable Car Ride) *40-minute stay in total
Mt Hakodate is one of the most famous spots in the city, known for its incredible views! It offers a stunning panorama of the city, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
While the night view is often ranked as one of the best in Japan, with the city lights sparkling like jewels between the two bays, the daytime scenery is equally impressive. During the day, you can enjoy clear views of the entire city, the bay, and even the distant mountains. What’s even better? There are some beautiful landscapes only visible in the daylight, such as the lush greenery of the surrounding hills and the clear blue waters of the bay. Plus, since it’s less crowded during the day, you can take your time to fully enjoy the scenery without the rush. It’s a peaceful experience, offering great photo opportunities.
The easiest way to reach the top is the Mt Hakodate Ropeway. The cable car takes you up in just 3 minutes, and you can enjoy beautiful views along the way.
Mt Hakodate is not just about the view—it also has a rich history. During World War II, it was used as a military base, and some old buildings still remain. Today, it’s a peaceful place where locals and tourists alike come to relax and take in the beauty of Hakodate.
*Cable car round-trip ticket: ¥1800/person (not included)
*Departure time: 2:00 PM
Travel time to Motomachi area: about 10 minutes on foot
(Since the path is sloped, please let me know if you have any difficulties.)
Explore Hakodate’s Favorite: The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses! *30-minute stay
Step into one of Hakodate’s iconic destinations! The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, originally built in 1909, have been beautifully renovated and now house a vibrant mix of over 50 restaurants and souvenir shops. Wander through the seven stunning brick buildings, where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine, shop for unique gifts, and take in breathtaking views of the harbor. Whether you're looking for a tasty bite, a special memento, or just a beautiful place to relax, this is the perfect spot to experience the heart of Hakodate’s charm! And don’t forget to snap some great photos along the way!
*Departure time: 2:50 PM
Travel time back to the meeting point: about 10–15 minutes on foot
Ending Point
at the meeting point or the location of your choice
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
・Guide fee
・Pick-up
-Pick-up is included for locations near JR Hakodate Station, Goryokaku, or Yunokawa.
■Transportation fee (you and guide)
・Streetcar one-way fare: ¥300/person (round trip needed for
Goryokaku, other rides may apply depending on itinerary)
・Taxi fare: ¥1,500–2,500/car (optional)
■Admission fee
・Goryokaku Tower ticket (you) ¥1200/person
・Mt.Hakodate Ropeway ticket (you and guide) ¥1800/person
・Each sightseeing spot in the Motomachi area ¥300/person
■Lunch/Cafe (you)
I usually prefer at least seven days’ notice, but I may be able to accommodate shorter notice as well — so feel free to get in touch!
Welcome to Hakodate!
Hello! My name is Bobby, and I am an English-speaking guide based in the beautiful city of Hakodate, Japan. Born and raised here, I have a deep love and knowledge of this historic port city.
I spent 10 years living in Canada, where I worked in cafes, restaurants, and tailor shops, gaining valuable experience in hospitality and customer service. Now, I’m excited to share the charm of Hakodate with visitors from around the world.
Whether you want to explore historical sites, discover hidden local gems, or enjoy delicious Hakodate cuisine, I can provide a personalized and memorable experience. Let’s make your trip to Hakodate unforgettable!
Feel free to contact me for more details. I look forward to guiding you!
Barbara R.
“Excellent guide in Hakodate”
Couldn’t have asked for more from our expert guide, Bobby, in Hakodate. She timed the tour and the places visited perfectly. Her English and historical knowledge were exceptional. She is a hometown girl and we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
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Bobby S.
Dear Barbara, Thank you so much for your prompt and wonderful review! Even though it was a chilly day, I truly enjoyed spending time with you both surrounded by the beautiful autumn leaves. Thank you also for your kind thoughtfulness toward my daughter. I wish I could show you her delighted face when she received your lovely surprise! It was such an honor to share your very first moments in Hokkaido together. Please do come visit again. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you! Bobby
Larry D.
“Wonderful walking tour with Bobby S with an unexpected surprise”
I can't say good things about our walking tour with Bobby S. She is such an informative and engaging tour guide. The weather in Hakodate was particularly bad the day that we were there, but Bobby was able to rearrange our day to keep us mainly indoors while the worst of the weather passed. In addition, she arranged for us to have a private demo and hands on session with her husband who is an accomplished artisan. That session was the highlight of the day for me. I highly recommend Bobby S for your travel plans in Hakodate.
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Bobby S.
Larry, Thank you for such a heartwarming review! It truly means a lot to us, especially knowing that you chose to go ahead with the tour despite the not-so-great weather that day. I really wanted to make sure you both had a meaningful experience, so hearing that you enjoyed it makes us so happy! Talking with you two, who came from cities that share roots with our own story, felt so special and nostalgic to me. You are such a wonderful couple, the kind we hope to be like one day! My daughter and I enjoyed the Ice wine tea! It had such a lovely aroma, and she added just a touch of her favorite maple syrup to it. Every time you light your tea light holders or look back at the photos from that day, I hope you’ll remember our special time in Hakodate. Thank you for visiting Hakodate and for finding me. Big hugs to both of you, Bobby
Myra C.
“Amazing Experience!”
Bobby was the perfect tour guide. She’s positive and upbeat and fun to be around. She took us to learn the traditional Japanese game called Go. It was really interesting learning about this game and the strategy used behind it! We loved learning something new. The second portion of this tour was incredible. Bobby’s husband is a carpenter and taught us a really cool technique called yakisugi wicked translates to charred wood. It’s a neat traditional way to preserve wood but also adds such a unique look to the wood. Bobby’s husband was patient with us and let us gets hands on with the burning of. The wood and the scrapping of the ash. This is a highlight from our trip! So very cool seeing and experiencing something so unique. Bobby is the best tour guide!!! So great at coordinating and very hospitable! We booked another tour with her because she’s so exceptional! Can’t recommend enough!!!!
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Bobby S.
Dear Myra, Thank you so very much for your amazing review. Reading it truly made me so happy! I really enjoyed spending time with you both, and I’m thrilled that we could provide experiences that left such a positive impression. The Go instructor and my husband were also very honored and delighted to hear your kind words. Both experiences are so unique, and I would be very happy if your first trip to Hokkaido brings back wonderful memories of the time you spent here. I look forward to guiding you again tomorrow and will do my very best to make it another wonderful experience. Thank you again for the highest compliment a guide could receive! Warm regards, Bobby
$182/ per group
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