Explore Hakodate’s Gourmet Food and Markets

Embark on a food adventure like no other in Hakodate—Hokkaido Prefecture’s third largest city. Like the rest of the prefecture, this city is renowned for its delicious and exceedingly fresh seafood, including Hakodate oysters.

Here, you can indulge in oysters, squid, kaisendon (seafood rice bowls), crab, salmon roe, and other ocean delicacies, as well as non-seafood flavors like Hakodate Shio Ramen, jingisukan (grilled lamb), skewered pork, and regional soft drinks. It goes without saying that foodie opportunities are aplenty! Whether you are dining at a sit-in restaurant, like HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854, perusing bustling food markets, or grabbing a bite to eat at a yatai street food stall, you are guaranteed to create a delectable Hakodate food tour your tastebuds will not soon forget.

In addition to food, Hakodate also offers a host of sightseeing attractions, showcasing both its international influences and traditional Japanese aesthetics. It is a riveting city for the mind, body, and gourmet soul. Join us as we explore its wonders in more detail.

Savor oysters at HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854

If you are looking for restaurants near Hakodate Station or Hakodate restaurant recommendations overall, then HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854 is the eatery for you. Opened in autumn 2025 and located in front of Hakodate Station, this noteworthy eatery is situated on the first floor of HOTEL MYSTAYS Hakodate Station and offers a carefully curated selection of seasonal oysters from across Japan, including Hokkaido’s renowned production areas Shiriuchi, Akkeshi, Senposhi, and Lake Saroma.

The restaurant’s most popular dish is its “Today’s Fresh Oyster Assortment,” which features a luxurious tasting of each region’s oysters, highlighting their rich flavors, refreshing brininess, and distinct sweetness. You can also choose from a variety of à la carte dishes. Savor grilled, steamed, and fresh oysters paired with white wine, bottled beer, or craft beer to further elevate the dining experience. If you don’t have time for a full meal, take advantage of the restaurant’s counter seating, where you can sip on a glass of wine alongside fresh oysters. Given its prime location, the eatery is an ideal place to enjoy one more drink for the night or treat yourself to a pre-dinner beverage and snack.

While HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854 serves top-quality, fresh oysters year-round—thanks to its unique sourcing routes—the local Shiriuchi oysters are at their plumpest and most flavorful from around November to March.

Here is a look into its mouthwatering menu:

• Today’s Oyster Tasting 3-Piece Plate (Raw or Steamed) (¥1,400): A fresh plate of steamed or raw oysters paired with a luscious house-made sauce.
• Today’s Oyster Tasting 3-Piece Place (Grilled) (¥1,700): A tasting plate of fresh oysters, grilled in flavorful garlic butter and complemented by a heavenly house-made sauce.
• Sake Oyster Shooter (¥1,400): A uniquely Japanese pairing experience. A raw oyster is served in a glass of premium sake. The rich umami of the oyster and sake melt together exquisitely, offering a refined and luxurious taste. Enjoy the sake-soaked oyster in one bite for the full experience.
• Oyster and Spinach Curry Gratin (¥600): Oysters and spinach are combined with curry sauce in a creamy gratin. The golden cheese topping adds a fragrant accent, balancing seafood, vegetables, and spices in one harmonious dish.
• Oysters and Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil (¥750): Oysters and sun-dried tomatoes are marinated slowly in olive oil, concentrating their flavors. The oysters and sweet tomatoes pair beautifully with wine or bread.
• Hokkaido White Fish, Fish & Chips (¥800): Fresh white fish from Hokkaido is fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender inside. Served with tartar sauce, it is a luxurious way to enjoy the bounty of the sea.
• Homemade Rosemary Fried Potatoes (¥700): Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, with a subtle hint of rosemary. Simple yet deeply flavorful.
• Smoky Potato Chips (¥500): Each bite delivers deep flavor and crunch, with a mellow smoked taste that is highly addictive.
• Smoky Mixed Nuts (¥600): A smoky mix of nuts with a rich, aromatic flavor. The nuttiness blends perfectly with the smoky notes, offering a crisp texture and indulgent taste. Perfect with drinks or as a decadent snack.

As touched upon previously, this restaurant is just a one-minute walk from Hakodate Station, with a tram stop and bus rotary in front of it—perfect for a quick bite while waiting for a train or bus. Please note that the 14-seat restaurant fills up quickly on weekends, so advanced reservations are recommended. You can either call (0138-38-9498) or make a reservation online (HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854’s reservation site).

If you are also looking for hotels near Hakodate Station, why not stay at HOTEL MYSTAYS Hakodate Station? This convenient accommodation is an excellent base for all of Hakodate’s visual and culinary charms, from Hakodate Morning Market to one of the “Top Three Night Views in the World.”

The hotel is home to 277 guest rooms and has numerous Western and Japanese-style room types that can accommodate between one and eight people. The modern designs and plentiful amenities are perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and large groups. On the upper floors, select rooms even grant you captivating night views of Mount Hakodate and the harbor, making your time at the hotel feel like part of the sightseeing experience.

In addition to HAKODATE OYSTERS 1854, the hotel also has a breakfast venue called Tsutsuji Dining, open from 7am–9:30am (for hotel guests only). Here, you can enjoy approximately 40 types of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, including Sichuan Super Spicy Mapo Tofu, Seafood Jingisukan (a local dish made with grilled seafood), and Hakodate Shio Ramen. Hokkaido’s regional ingredients are on full display.

A stay at HOTEL MYSTAYS Hakodate Station guarantees convenience, comfort, and local flavors during your time in Hakodate.

Dine on Hakodate’s regional delicacies

Hakodate has no shortage of unforgettable food, and the markets and stalls themselves allow you to enjoy the culinary delights the local way.

Start your day with a visit to Hakodate Asaichi Morning Market, open from around 5/6am to 2pm. This daily market is just a couple minutes’ walk from Hakodate Station and spans roughly 33 square kilometers. You will find seafood shops, restaurants, vegetable stands, and souvenir stores. Purchase and ship fresh seafood, such as crab, salmon roe, or Matsumae pickles (pickled vegetables and seafood), and enjoy a sit-down meal.

We highly recommend treating yourself to a Hokkaido-style kaisendon, featuring colorful seafood atop fluffy rice. You can even catch live squid and then eat it on the spot. The bustling atmosphere, mix of tourists and locals, and incredibly fresh seafood creates a fully immersive experience of Japanese seafood.

Hakodate Jiyu Ichiba, which translates to Freedom Market, is another popular spot for kaisendon. About a one-minute walk from the Shinkawa-cho tram stop, this market allows you to dive deeper into Hakodate’s seafood culture, offering more local charm compared to the aforementioned Hakodate Morning Market. This market, also known as the citizens’ kitchen, is a hotspot for self-made seafood rice bowls. Purchase small portions of sashimi from the various food stalls and then buy freshly cooked rice at a resting area to create your perfect kaisendon.

If you are craving non-seafood flavors, be sure to grab a bowl of Hakodate Shio Ramen, a must-try specialty of the city. This regional ramen has a light, flavorful broth, characterized by its high transparency, and typically features thin noodles. Toppings include long green onions, bamboo shoots, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork. On a cold day, this delicate, yet umami-filled dish is guaranteed to warm you up.

For an exciting night out, stop by Daimon Yokocho, a yatai village located near Hakodate Station and a classic nighttime food-walking spot. Trust your nose to guide you through the intoxicating aromas of Hakodate Shio Ramen, grilled lamb in jingisukan, and fresh seafood. The welcoming area has a warm and lively atmosphere where locals and tourists mingle. Food-stall-hopping is a part of the experience, so don’t hesitate to try all of the city’s gourmet delights.

While in Hakodate, you must also try its timeless soul food:

• Lucky Pierrot: A local hamburger chain that is famous for its Chinese Chicken Burger. The shop earned first place for Best Local Burger Store in Japan.
• Hasegawa Store (for its Yakitori Bento): Hakodate-style yakitori uses pork instead of chicken. The Yakitori Bento is cooked to order right in front of you and includes rice soaked in an addictive secret sauce.
• Grilled Squid Senbei: Available flavors are squid, shrimp, crab, and scallop. Once you place your order, a whole fresh squid is grilled into a crispy senbei rice cracker. Watching the grilling process is part of the appeal, and the savory crunch will have you coming back for more.
• Guarana: A soul drink of Hokkaido that is similar to cola but with a distinctive herbal-like freshness.
• Soft Katsugen: A lactic acid drink sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. It is known for its sweet and tangy taste—similar to yogurt—and hint of citrus.

See Hakodate’s sights

Alongside its cuisine, Hakodate is home to a variety of attractions. Let’s start with the Hakodate Streetcar, a retro-looking tram that connects you to the city’s major spots. To make the most of your time in Hakodate, we recommend purchasing the One-Day Tram Pass. This discount ticket costs ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children and includes transportation, as well as discount perks at popular sightseeing destinations. It is available digitally and physically, but we suggest the digital one for ease of use.

While riding the streetcar, keep a look out for the curve between the Jujigai and Suehirocho Stops as it is said to offer the line’s most picturesque views of the city. Another notable spot is the Yunkawa Onsen Stop, where you will find a free foot bath called Yumeguri Butai, ideal for resting your travel-weary feet.

One of Hakodate’s main sightseeing spots is Goryokaku, a massive mid-19th-century, Western-style fort best known for its unique star shape. In the 1910s, it was converted into a public park and today, is recognized as one of the prefecture’s top cherry-blossom-viewing sites. For historical insight, visit the park’s Former Magistrate Office, where the Tokugawa shogunate (feudal military government) once ruled over Hokkaido. The 107-meter-tall Goryokaku Tower is also a nonnegotiable stop. From its observation deck, you are granted jaw-dropping views of the star-shaped fortress and its seasonal beauty.

Next, head to Motomachi, a charming neighborhood where Western-style architecture coexists with traditional Japanese streetscapes. After Japan’s era of isolation, Hakodate was one of the first ports to open up to foreign trade, and Motomachi became a popular district for foreign residents to reside. Today, it boasts numerous examples of foreign architecture, including the vibrant Old Public Hall and distinctive Russian Orthodox Church.

For some traditional Japanese architecture, stop by Funadama Shrine, regarded as Hokkaido’s oldest shrine. According to legend, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, one of Japan’s most famous warriors, survived a perilous storm on the Tsugaru Strait thanks to the guidance of Funadama Shrine. Now, people visit the shrine to pray for maritime safety, bountiful catches, traffic safety, and good fortune. Located on a hill in Motomachi, the shrine offers dreamy views of Hakodate and the sea.

About a three-minute walk from Funadama Shrine is Hachimanzaka, one of Motomachi’s (and Japan’s) most beautiful streets. The straight, cobblestone slope lined with lush trees descends gently to meet the ocean. In the distance, Hakodate Port and the towering mountains beyond create a postcard perfect background. The slope is a hotspot among photographers for a reason—day and night.

Another eye-catching spot is the Hakodate Ropeway. Operating year-round, this ropeway links Mount Hakodate’s base and summit stations in just three minutes, providing easy access to the mountain’s attractions. The gondola itself, equipped with massive windows, holds 125 passengers and provides bird’s eye views of the mountain and Hakodate’s cityscape. From the summit’s 334-meter-high observatory, you can witness one of the country’s most famous views, where Hakodate’s urban sprawl is flanked by the Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Bay. The subdued city hues against the brilliance of the sea and sky create a truly memorable visual. However, the vista becomes even more magical at night when darkness deepens the sky and ocean and the city’s lights twinkle like jewels.

Stepping outside Motomachi, Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine is one of Hakodate’s largest shrines. It is located at the foot of Mount Hakodate and scenically overlooks the Tsugaru Strait. The shrine’s defining feature is its Taisho-era (1912–1926) Hattom-zukuri Main Hall, which is guaranteed to draw your eye with its impressive roof. People frequent the shrine to pray for business prosperity, academic success, the warding off of misfortune, and family safety and stay for forest-encircled solitude and serenity.

Lastly, we will introduce the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, just a few minutes’ walk from Hachimanzaka’s ocean end. These historical warehouses, lining Hakodate Port, once served as vital storage for the city’s trading industry. However, today, the red-brick buildings have been repurposed into a shopping complex, selling Japanese folk crafts and made-in-Japan goods. It is an excellent place to observe history and partake in some souvenir shopping.

Food and fun in Hakodate

Hakodate is a gourmet city that first-time tourists to Japan often pass up—consequently, forgoing some of the country’s most delicious seafood. If you are a foodie and a seeker of genuine Japanese eats, you won’t want to miss Hakodate, where oysters, kaisendon, and unique regional dishes are plentiful. The city’s lively markets and atmospheric food stalls treat you to both delicious food and unforgettable dining experiences. And when you need a break from munching, Hakodate’s seaside location and legacy in foreign trade offer you a great deal of lovely architectural sights.

So, when you are planning your trip to Japan, consider travelling up north. Hakodate is waiting to welcome you.

Access to and around Hakodate

Hakodate is extremely easy to reach thanks to its nearby Shinkansen station (located in the city of Hokuto) and airport, Hakodate Airport. For example, from Tokyo, you can reach Hakodate by train or plane.

• By train: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen directly to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (4.5 hours). Then, transfer to the Hakodate Line for Hakodate Station (15 minutes).
• By plane: From Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, catch a domestic flight to Hakodate Airport (one hour and 20 minutes). From there, you can take a bus operated by Hakodate Taxi directly to Hakodate Station (20 minutes). Hakodate Airport also services planes from Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo (Hokkaido).

Once in Hakodate, you can easily get around its central area, including Motomachi and Mount Hakodate, via its two tram lines (labeled “2” and “5”) and bus network.