Hakodate - Hokkaido's Port City
Joined 2023
Welcome to Hakodate!
With many things to see and great foods to eat, come for the shopping and gourmet experiences! Let's stroll around the many historic buildings dating back 100+ yrs. Serene in the morning, dramatically illuminated at night, the ever-changing face of Hakodate offers scenery that is not be missed.
*The price difference compared to Aomori is due to transportation and accommodation*
*This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee.
Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 60,000yen every 6 hours
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Your Location
- Please let me know where you will be staying - rather it is from a cruise or your hotel; I can meet you at your location!
Hakodate Morning Market
*The arrival time is highly dependent on where you are located, we may arrive here earlier or later.*
*You can find freshly caught sea food such as squid, snow crab, hairy crab, salmon, tuna, scallop etc.
*There are also fresh fruits, dried sea food, a sushi bar, and squid catching.
*Let's try some Kaisen-don dishes! A bowl of rice topped with various fresh seafood, a staple culinary delight in Hakodate.
*Shops in the Hakodate morning market, including those of the Donburi Yokocho Market and serve a variety of Kaisen-don dishes.
If you would prefer, the famous Hakodate Salt Ramen spots are also available in the Morning Market! This ramen is one of the top 3 must tries in Hokkaido. What is common to all of them is a clear soup based on a painstakingly made stock that produces a rich flavor that diners will never get tired.
Come with a hungry stomach to experience Hakodate's soul foods!
Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
Let's take the ropeway up Mt. Hakodate!
With ideal weather conditions, the top of the mountain has a breathtaking view.
After riding the ropeway, you can see the Honshu island beyond the Tsugaru strait which is the international strait.
In the summit building, there is a souvenir shop, a snack stand, a restaurant and a cafe-bar.
*Please Note:*
*The ropeway may be canceled due to strong winds or unfavorable weather conditions (such as heavy fog).
*In that case, I will recommend another spot.
*This tour can be enjoyed by taxi for those who are afraid of heights
*The fee for taking the ropeway is 1800yen roundtrip
Goryokaku Fort
From a 90 meter high tower, you can witness the whole view of the Goryokaku fortress where the last civil war was fought between the shogunate forces and new government for
*Please Note:*
Accessing the park is free, however going up the tower is 1000yen per person or 500yen for those with disabilities (certification must be shown)
Kanamori Redbrick Shopping Warehouses
In the warehouses, you can enjoy shopping and purchasing goods made locally and unique to the area. Some shops include chopsticks engraving for a reasonable price. You can also find music boxes that can be personalized as well. Hakodate is famous for it's unique music box culture!
Around this area, there are some coffee shops such as Starbucks coffee, Komeda coffee and local famous Lucky Pierrot.
Ending Point
As per your request
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour Guiding Fee
- All events mentioned in the itinerary (Ropeway usage fee, Goryokaku Tower fee, Magistrate's Office admission fee, etc.)
- Food costs
- Taxi/Transportation fee
Tour Important Information
I recommend wearing seasonally appropriate clothes and comfortable walking shoes as we will be walking a lot.
Additionally, many stores and restaurants only accept cash (Japanese yen) so please prepare enough in advance.
Extra fees for places that we will visit are noted in the itinerary above - please feel free to ask questions as needed.
The total fee does not include taxi/transportation, and other outside expenses as mentioned above or during the trip. The fee is ONLY the tour guiding fee.
Hakodate City offers fresh seafood from its local fishing ports to various handcrafted goods in the Kanamori Redbrick Warehouses.
Let's discover the historical beauty of Hakodate together!
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Tomohiko K.
*I am generally unavailable on Weekdays however if you schedule at least a week in advance, I am available all days*
*Please contact me if you have any questions!*
Hello, my name is Tomohiko! I am from Aomori City and have lived here for over 60 years.
I love traveling and have already visited more than 30 nations so far. After my official retirement as a public officer, I obtained the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide foreign tourists all over the world.
Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt. Fuji...but is actually from Aomori Prefecture' Fujisaki town? Aomori is proud to be the biggest apple producer in Japan. In Hirosaki city alone, there are over 40 apple-pie restaurants.
・Let's enjoy real Japanese culture and history together! Let's experience real Samurai history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle, Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
・I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about - let's go on an adventure together!
・If you like sushi and fresh seafood - let me introduce to you Nokkedon ? What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you!
<Qualifications>
・Chairman of Aomori International Voluntary Association (AIVA)
・Part-time Lecturer, Aomori City Higher Nursing Academy
・National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter
・ Medical interpreter who have passed the Ministry of Health, Labor
and Welfare's "Medical Interpretation Curriculum Standards"
examination.
Reviews
Carla R.
“Simply the Best!”
This was our second tout with Tomohiko Kudo. He is a true professional and the best guide for Aomori and Hakodate. He was creative and flexible and in addition to the things we planned, added other things such as visiting shrines and showing us around beyond what was planned. He is personable, and a great conversationalist. Highly recommend.
Tomohiko K.
Hi Carla! I was very delighed to guide you in Hakodate and also, I am greatly honored to have your wonderful review for my guiding you! I am looking forward to seeing and guiding you again any seasons in Hakodate someday. Please enjoy Hokkaido! I wish you healthy and good luck. Best regards Tomohiko Kudo. 【Hakodate City Tour on 19th March 2025 】 14:30 At Goryokaku 5-star shaped Fort 15:30 Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden You can enjoy exotic flowers and trees in the south live in the northern city of Hakodate. Japanese Monkeys warm up in the hot spring 16:30 Hakodate Hachiman Temple West Side Hakodate Historic Sites for preserving Japanese and Western buildings, such as temples, shirines, the Chatoric and protestant churches, the Hakodate Russian Orthodic Church. Non-Japanese Graveyards. Koryuuji Temple. Port for squid-fishing boats. 18:00 Mt. Hakodate Ropeway Let's take the ropeway up Mt. Hakodate! With ideal weather conditions, the top of the mountain has a breathtaking view. After riding the ropeway, you can see the Honshu Island beyond the Tsugaru strait which is the international strait. In the summit building, there is a souvenir shop, a snack stand, a restaurant and a cafe-bar. 19:00 You can enjoy dinner special to Hakodate, such as Hakodate Ramen with solt based soup, Japanse Sake special to Hokkaido. Best regards, Tomohiko Kudo
Carla R.
“The Unofficial Mayor of Aomori”
Our guide, Tadosan ,was very professional and knew everything about Aomori and seemingly everyone in Aomori, He was entertaining and very lovely.
Tomohiko K.
Hi Carla! I was very delighted to guide you in Aomori and also, I am greatly honored to have your wonderful review for my guiding you! I am looking forward to seeing and guiding you again in the Hirosaki Cherry Trees Bloom Festival from mid-April to mid- May any the Nebuta Festivals from 2nd to 7th every August someday. Please enjoy Japan! I wish you healthy and good luck. Thanks so much again. Best regards Tomohiko Kudo. 【Aomori City Tour on 17th March 2025 】 14:00 At Hotel Sunroute Aomori To the Seiryuji Temple by taxi. 14:30 Seiryu-ji Temple arr. (Admission fee: 400 yen/one-person) * Showa Daibutsu (Showa Great Buddha) - the tallest bronze sitting statue of Buddha in Japan (21 meters) *Five-Storied Pagoda - the 4th highest in Japan (39.5 meters) *Zen Garden (Dried Landscape Garden-Sand Garden) 15:30 Seiryuji Temple dept.By taxi 16:00 Uto Shinto Shrine 17:00 Warrase Nebuta Museum (Admission fee: 620 yen/one-person) This Museum introduces “Aomori NebutaFestival - Nationally Designated Important Folk Cultural Property- diplaying the Nebuta Float made by Japanese paper, wire, and electric fluorescent or Led lumps with the size of 9 meters in width, 7 meters in depth, and 5 meters in height. *Aomori Nebuta Festival- Every year three million spectators gather for the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Large dolls (nebuta) made of wood, wire and Japanese paper with lights inside, march through town. Dancers called haneto, dance wildly to call of “rassera, rassera” for a very energizing performance. Anybody can participate if they wear the haneto outfit so don’t just watch, be a part of the festivities yourself! * Workshop: Nebuta Festival drum hitting and dancing experience. @Warrase Museum Hall 18:00 Dinner @Japanese restaurant " Daifuku Maru"
Daniil G.
“A Magical Snowy Journey Through Hirosaki with Tomohiko! ”
Our tour of Hirosaki City with Tomohiko was an unforgettable experience! Despite the heavy snow in Aomori, the guide made sure we were comfortable and tailored the tour to our interests. Listening to authentic local music, trying delicious local cuisine and seeing the original castle keep covered in snow was absolutely magical! Tomohiko shared so many interesting facts about the city, its history, and culture. We truly enjoyed the tour and learned so much along the way. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Hirosaki!
Tomohiko K.
I am very delighted to guide you to Hirosaki City, which was hit by a record-breaking heavy snowfall. The suspension of the JR Ou Main Line and other public transportation continued. You are my wonderful guests, originally coming from Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Avoiding the crowds and bustling cities of Kyoto and Osaka, your trip to Tokyo, Aizuwakamatsu, Matsushima, Sendai, Yamadera, Aomori, Hirosaki, Hakodate, Noboribetsu, Shiraoi, Lake Toya Sapporo Tokyo. Did you all enjoy !! The cold in Moscow and St. Petersburg is severe than Hirosaki, but Y've never seen so much snow! You love Japan and have a Shiba Inu named Kotaro. I am glad to hear that you did enjoy the local food culture of Aomori, so I guided you to Tsugaru Domain Neputa Village and Izakaya. You seemed to be impressed by the Tsugaru shamisen and Tsugaru folk songs. Maria likes sea urchins, she said that the very fresh raw sea urchins are very delicious. It's the best she has ever eaten!! You and Maria love to drink local Aomori Sake, and Ochen Hukusna! (It's very delicious). Next time, I would like to guide you to the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Mid-April to May and the Nebuta Festival in the first week, August. Odate City, south of Hirosaki City, famous for Akita dog. I would like to express thanks for joining my tour and wish you and Maria good luck and health ! Ochen Shipasiba ! Tomohiko Kudo, Aomori in Japan.
$490/ per group
More tours by Tomohiko K.
Hirosaki City - The Original Castle Keep
Hirosaki has many attractions, such as the thousands of ancient cherry trees, surrounding the castle and is Japan’s biggest apple producer. There are about 50 apple-pie restaurants. Hirosaki grew up around its castle, protected by Shinto Shrines to the north and Buddhism temples to the south-west. Come with me and I'll share my extensive knowledge about the city and make this a memorable experience! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Aomori - Mountainous Seaside City
Aomori city is the capital city of the Aomori prefecture with 280,000 population, connecting Tokyo and Aomori by the Shinkansen, or bullet train in 3 hours or 1 hour flight. The city a major trading hub so you can eat the freshest produce, learn about the ancient Jomon people and their rope-patterned pottery, and visit the UNESCO designated word heritage site! Let me show you my beloved hometown! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Kuroishi - The Black and White Stoned City
Kuroishi is surrounded by rich nature. As you walk around the city, you can experience the Edo Samurai era and feel like you have traveled 400 years in the past. Much of the architecture has remained the same since decades ago. The city offers some of the best sake in all of Japan. Let’s enjoy exploring, eating around, tasting sake and everything that Kuroishi has to offer! *This fee DOES NOT include transportation fee. Ex. 8 seaters taxi - 50,000yen every 6 hours
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Hakodate
Private Full Day Guided Tour In Hakodate
Hakodate city is a gateway to Hokkaido. You can enjoy sight-seeing with government licensed guide through the city with public transportations. 1.Hakodate morning market 2.Kanamori redbrick warehouse 3.Mt.Hakodate ropeway 4.Goryokaku fort
Private Half Day Guided Tour in Hakodate
Hakodate city is a gateway to Hokkaido. You can enjoy sight-seeing with government licensed guide through the city with public transportations. 1. Hakodate morning market 2. Kanamori redbrick warehouse 3. Mt.Hakodate ropeway