Zen Moments in Hakodate: Discover Tranquility at Koryu-ji Temple
Tired of crowded temple visits? This private tour offers a truly tranquil experience. Discover the quiet elegance of Hakodate through zazen meditation at historic Koryu-ji Temple—chair seating is available. Explore its breathtaking architecture and serene interiors, and try optional shakyo (sutra tracing). Then enjoy a peaceful stroll through Motomachi, a charming district full of Western-style buildings and local history.
Itinerary
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 Koryu-ji Temple: 10-minute walk + 10-minute ride Feel the atmosphere through the local area + enjoy the streetcar ride *Streetcar fare: ¥250-300 per person (not included)
Koryu-ji Temple: A Hidden Zen Sanctuary *90-minute stay in total
During our visit, we will explore Koryu-ji Temple, the oldest temple still standing in Hakodate. The temple grounds feature ten buildings designated as Japan’s Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, and its main gate alone boasts 207 intricate carvings. You’ll also see the majestic main hall, bell tower, and historical objects related to Hakodate’s samurai and religious heritage, as well as the graves of important local figures from the Edo period.
Next, you’ll take part in a short zazen (seated meditation) session, lasting around 15 minutes. No previous experience is necessary, and chair seating is available for those who prefer it. The focus is simply on breathing, posture, and stillness, providing an accessible way to experience the essence of Zen practice.
For those interested, we also offer an optional shakyo (sutra tracing) session, lasting about 15–20 minutes. Shakyo is a form of meditative calligraphy, where you silently copy a Buddhist sutra by hand. It’s a calming activity that helps quiet the mind and connect with the spirit of Zen.
Whether you’re curious about Japanese Buddhism, looking to slow down, or simply wish to appreciate the quiet beauty of a historic site, Koryu-ji Temple offers a peaceful and memorable cultural experience.
*Departure time: 11:00 AM
Travel time to Motomachi area: about 10 minutes on foot
Motomachi: Traces of Hakodate’s International Past *90-minute stay
After leaving the quiet grounds of Koryu-ji Temple, we make our way downhill into Motomachi, one of Hakodate’s most scenic and historically rich neighborhoods. This area flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Hakodate opened its port to foreign trade. Today, it still reflects a unique blend of Japanese and Western influences.
As we stroll through the gently sloping streets, you’ll pass by Western-style buildings, old foreign consulates, European-influenced churches, and elegant homes once occupied by traders, diplomats, and missionaries. The area’s distinct architectural charm—combined with panoramic harbor views—offers endless photo opportunities and a true sense of place.
Highlights may include the Former British Consulate, Motomachi Roman Catholic Church, Hakodate Orthodox Church, and the iconic Hachimanzaka slope, a local favorite for its picture-perfect view of the bay.
Throughout the walk, your guide will share stories of cultural exchange, foreign influence, and how this small port city became a gateway between Japan and the world.
This leisurely walk offers a refreshing contrast to the stillness of the temple, revealing another side of Hakodate’s rich cultural heritage.
*Departure time: 12:40 PM
Return to the meeting point: 20-25 minute walk
Ending Point
at the meeting point or the location of your choice
Want to personalize this tour?
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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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
・Guide fee
・Pick-up and drop-off for hotels in central Hakodate
・Pick-up and drop-off at Wakamatsu Pier
Assistance in arranging the best pick-up option based on your ship and schedule
■Transportation fee (you and guide)
・Streetcar fare: JPY 300/ride
・For cruise guests arriving at Minato-cho Pier
(if the free shuttle bus is not used)
Taxi: approximately JPY 6,000 round trip
■Admission fee
・Zen Meditation Experience (seated or chair option available) ¥500/person
・Sutra Tracing Experience ¥1000/person(oputional)
・Each sightseeing spot in the Motomachi area ¥300/person
■Lunch/Cafe (you)(optional)
Tour Important Information
Please note that the activities may not be available on certain days due to the temple’s schedule. We appreciate your understanding.
Tour Unavailable Periods (Due to Temple’s Busy Season):
July 10th – 20th
August 10th – 20th
*Temple visits are still possible during this period.
Important message from the supplier
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!
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
About Tour Guide Bobby S.
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!
Reviews
Clark C.
“Great Tour in Hakodate”
We had a wonderful tour in Hakodate with Bobby. Bobby was very energetic and friendly. We felt comfortable with her from the start. She took us to all of the attractions and explained the culture and history. The weather was perfect, so we got a great view of the Goryokaku fort from the tower. Then we toured the magistrates office. We also went up the ropeway and had a beatiful view there as well. Bobby always knew how to take the best pictures. We also had a very good lunch and finished at the red brick warehouses where we got cheesecake dessert and bought some souvenirs. Overall it was a wonderful day.
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Bobby S.
Dear Clark, Thank you so much for your truly heartwarming review! I hope you are enjoying your cruise journey. When I first welcomed you two, your friendly smiles immediately made me feel at ease, and I could already imagine that we were going to have a wonderful day together. And indeed, it turned out to be such a fun and memorable time for me as well. I hope the photos, including the beautiful cherry blossoms at Goryokaku, will help you remember the special moments we spent together here in Hakodate. I was also very happy when she suggested taking a photo of the three of us together at the end of the tour. It became another precious memory for me! We were blessed with such lovely weather, and after a pleasant day of walking, the cheesecake and apple juice tasted especially wonderful. I sincerely hope the rest of your journey will be just as fulfilling and memorable. And if you ever come back to Japan and Hokkaido someday, nothing would make me happier than if you remembered Hakodate and your time here! Warmest regards, Bobby
Lou K.
“Best guided tour we have ever done!”
Everything about our tour with Bobby was amazing - from initial contact right up to saying goodbye! Bobby was able to customise an itinerary to fit in with our ship's time in port and to suit our specific requests. She is really approachable and really listened to our needs and designed a truly bespoke tour. Bobby is such a lovely lady who really loves her town of Hakodate and is keen to show all it has to offer. Way more than we could ever see on our own. We took some taxis so that we could see more and beat some of the Golden Week crowds. Bobby had already bought all tickets we needed which meant much less queueing. Always a win! Catching the cherry blossoms and seeing them from such great vantage points was a highlight. We also learnt so much about the history of the town, Japanese culture/customs and so much more. Bobby put so much time and effort into our itinerary, especially in finding places for lunch and afternoon tea that could provide gluten free alternatives - something that can be a bit tricky. We had fabulous meals! Bobby took some amazing and creative photos of us that make us smile every time we look at them. Ask her about the heart fence if you get a chance to take a tour with her. I can't speak highly enough of Bobby. She is such a personable, happy and friendly lady who made our day in Hakodate a highlight of our visit to Japan. By the end of the tour it felt like saying goodbye to a friend and we hope to explore more with her when next we visit Japan. Thank you Bobby for all that you did to make our day such a memorable and enjoyable experience.
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Bobby S.
Dear Lou, Thank you so much for spending such precious time writing such a thoughtful review for me. I truly appreciate it. Because you wrote so much detail, I know I will always be able to look back on it and vividly remember the wonderful time we spent together, no matter how much time passes! It also helped me greatly that you booked early and asked so many detailed questions beforehand. It made planning the itinerary much easier for me as well. Even though it was Golden Week, arriving a bit earlier than our meeting time helped us avoid the crowds and made the day run very smoothly. I was also genuinely happy that we were able to enjoy the cherry blossoms at their absolute peak with such beautiful weather. It was very special for me too. Regarding food allergies, I still feel Japan has a long way to go in accommodating them properly, so I was truly relieved and happy to hear that you were satisfied with the meals and tea experiences . I also love taking photos, and more than anything, it makes me happy when guests can look back on their trip and remember the time we shared together. So your words truly mean a lot to me. The itinerary we created together through all our messages and planning became such a wonderful experience, and I sincerely thank you for that as well. Please do visit again when you come back to Japan. Next time, I would love to take you a little farther and introduce you to some even more local places. I am already looking forward to the day we meet again! Your friend, Bobby
Robyn F.
“Delightfu, Fun & Informative”
Right from my first enquiry, Bobby was so very helpful, giving me valuable Information to help me plan my trip for the best chance to see the Cherry Blossom. Nothing was too much trouble, every email and question was answered with great care in a timely manner. By the time of our tour, we felt like we we were going to meet a good friend. Fantastic day of fun, discovery and beautiful Cherry Blossoms and Hakodate history and nature. highly recommended!
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Bobby S.
From the very beginning, I hoped that your first trip to Japan would be something you could enjoy without worries, so knowing I could help make that happen means so much to me. It was also very special and an honor for me that you decided to visit Hakodate, even though it was not originally part of your travel plan. Seeing both of you fully enjoying the train journey, the unknown restaurants, and every new experience made me genuinely happy throughout the tour. And of course, being able to show you Hakodate at such a beautiful cherry blossom season was unforgettable for me as well. If you ever come back to Hokkaido, I would love to introduce you to even deeper and more local charms of this region. Thank you again for such a wonderful time and memory. Warmest regards, Bobby
$120/ per group
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