-
2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Aomori and Southern Hokkaido
-
2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Iwate and Southern Hokkaido
-
2-night, 3-day sample itinerary around Akita and Southern Hokkaido
-
3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Aomori, and Southern and Central Hokkaido.
A trip to get in touch with nature and local culture.
-
3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Southern Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.
A trip with many sightseeing trains and other local trains.
-
3-night, 4-day sample itinerary around Southern Hokkaido, Aomori, and Akita.
A trip to learn about the history and culture of southern Hokkaido and northern Tohoku.
Southern Hokkaido
The Oshima Peninsula is located in the southwest part of Hokkaido, called “Donan”, or Southern Hokkaido. One of the most popular sightseeing areas in this region, the opening of the new Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Shinkansen station in March 2016 has made access to this area even easier than ever before.
Southern Hokkaido
History and Culture
Scenery
Eating
Hot Springs
Festivals
Journey by Rail
Sightseeing in Hakodate
Sightseeing in Esashi
Sightseeing in Onuma Quasi-National Park
History and Culture
The unique history and culture of Southern Hokkaido and its role as the gateway to the sea.
The Southern Hokkaido Area has served as a gateway to the sea since ancient times. The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan is a precious historic site that embodies the history and culture in Hokkaido. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2021.
Hakodate Jomon Culture Center
(Hakodate)
- Address
- 551-1, Usujiri-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-25-2030
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Hakodate Station.
- URL
- https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/museum/hakodate-jomon-culture-center
Special Historic Site Goryokaku
(Hakodate)
- Address
- 44, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-51-4785 (Goryokaku Tower)
- Access
- About 17 minutes by tram from JR Hakodate Station, plus about 13 minutes on foot.
- URL
- https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/view/goryokaku-park
Matsumae Castle
(Matsumae)
- Address
- 144, Matsushiro, Matsumae-cho, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0139-42-2216 (Matsumae Castle Museum)
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Kikonai Station.
- URL
- http://www.asobube.com/
Scenery
A gorgeous view of the sea and mountains throughout the year.
The view from Mt. Hakodate is highly acclaimed, earning it a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. The magnificent figure of Mount Komagatake and the sea contrast very well with each other. In addition, many other terrific views can be seen throughout the year.
Mount Hakodate Observatory
(Hakodate)
- Address
- 19-7, Motomachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway Sanroku Station)
- Tel
- 0138-23-3105 (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway)
- Access
- About 5 minutes by tram from JR Hakodate Station, plus about 10 minutes on foot.
- URL
- http://334.co.jp/en/
Kijihiki Highland Panoramic Observation deck
(Hokuto)
- Address
- 174, Murayama, Hokuto, Hokkaido
- Access
- About 20 minutes by car from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
- URL
- * Reference
https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/
Onuma Quasi-National Park
(Nanae)
- Address
- Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-67-2170 (Onuma International Communication Plaza)
- Access
- About 10 minutes by limited express train from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to JR Onuma Koen Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/
Eating
One of the best places to enjoy food in Hokkaido.
The Southern Hokkaido Area is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and is known for its fresh seafood. There are many foodie destinations including the famous Hakodate Morning Market where you will find many kinds of seafood available.
Hakodate Morning Market
(Hakodate)
- Address
- 9-19, Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-22-7981
- Access
- About 1 minute on foot from JR Hakodate Station.
- URL
- https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/hakodate-asaichi.shtml
Kaisenyaki Hokuto Fishery
(Hokuto)
- Address
- 1-13-29, Inari, Hokuto, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-73-0700
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot from Donan Isaribi Railway Kamiiso Station.
- URL
- * Reference
https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/
Donan de's
(Kikonai)
- Address
- 338-14, Honcho, Kikonai-cho, Kamiiso-gun, Hokkaido.
- Tel
- 01392-6-7210 (Kikonai Tourist Information Center)
- Access
- Get off at JR Kikonai Station, and walk for about 1 minute.
- URL
- https://kikonai.jp/
Hot Springs
A historic and romantic hot spring resort in a charming port town.
One of the three best hot spring resorts in Hokkaido, the Yunokawa Onsen in Hakodate has more than 350 years of history. Many hot springs in this area also have great views of the sea. Nothing like a good rest after a tiring trip.
Yunokawa Onsen
(Hakodate)
- Address
- Yunokawa-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Access
- About 25 minutes by bus, or about 31 minutes by tram from JR Hakodate Station.
- URL
- https://hakodate-yunokawa.jp/lan/en.html
Festivals
A variety of festivals held throughout the year.
The Southern Hokkaido Area has a lot of festivals, ranging from traditional ones with their roots in the Edo period, to newer, modern ones. These festivals attract many visitors all year round.
Hakodate Port Festival
(Hakodate)
- Access
- Varies by venue. (Closest station: JR Hakodate)
- Memo
- Venue: Downtown Hakodate, Hokkaido
Period: Early August - URL
- * Reference
https://www.hakodate.travel/en/
Ubagami Daijingu Shrine Togyo Festival
(Esashi)
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Kikonai Station - Memo
- Venue: Esashi, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido (Ubagami Daijingu Shrine and other places)
Period: Mid-August - URL
- https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/esashi-kankoukyoukai.shtml
Kanchu-Misogi Festival
(Kikonai)
- Access
- Varies by venue. (Cloeset station: JR Kikonai)
- Memo
- Venue: Kikonai-cho, Kamiiso-gun, Hokkaido (Samegawa Shrine and other places)
Period: Mid-January - URL
- http://www.town.kikonai.hokkaido.jp/tourism/
Journey by Rail
Ride on the local trains overlooking the Tsugaru Strait.
The Donan Isaribi Railway is a local railway that opened in March 2016. It offers a great view of the Tsugaru Strait as it makes its way to sightseeing locales around the area.
South Hokkaido Railway Company
- Tel
- 0138-83-1977
- Memo
- (Hokkaido Shinkansen Transfer Station) Kikonai Station - Goryokaku Station (37.8km)
- URL
- * Reference
https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/
Fukushimacho Seikan Tunnel Museum
- Address
- 32-2, Mitake, Fukushima-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0139-47-3020
- Access
- About 50 minutes by bus from JR Kikonai Station.
- URL
- https://be-happy-fukushima.com/attractions/seikan-tunnel-kinenkan/
Sightseeing in Hakodate
Enjoy the charm of this nostalgic, yet modern city both on foot and via the street tram.
Hakodate, the famous port town of Hokkaido, has a rich historic and cultural background. It has a unique atmosphere with slightly a exotic slant thanks to the presence of western churches. Historical sites such as Goryokaku fill you with a sense of adventurous romance.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
- Address
- 14-12, Suehiro-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-27-5530
- Access
- About 15 minutes on foot from JR Hakodate Station
- URL
- https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/shopping-spot/kanemori-red-brick-warehouse-stores
Hachimanzaka Slope
- Address
- Suehiro-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-27-3333 (Motomachi Tourist Information Center)
- Access
- About 8 minutes by tram from JR Hakodate Station, plus about 1 minute on foot.
- URL
- https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/view/slopes-in-motomachi
Hakodate Hikari no Yatai Daimon Yokocho
- Address
- 7-5, Matsukaze-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Access
- 7 minutes on foot from JR Hakodate Station.
- URL
- http://www.hakodate-yatai.com/
Sightseeing in Esashi
The town that prospered with herring fishing.
Esashi is a town that once prospered with a herring fish industry. During the fishing season in those days, the town was said to be even more festive than Edo. Bits and pieces of their unique culture, such as a shrine and a festival float established in the Kamakura period, or the folk song Oiwake-bushi, can still be felt even now in this town.
Ubagami Daijingu Shrine
- Address
- 99, Ubagami-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Kikonai Station. - URL
- https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/esashi-kankoukyoukai.shtml
Esashi Oiwake Hall, Esashi Dashi Hall (Esashi)
- Address
- 193-3, Nakauta-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0139-52-0920
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
About 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from JR Kikonai Station. - URL
- https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/esashi-kankoukyoukai.shtml
Sightseeing in Onuma Quasi-National Park
Enjoy the great outdoors
The Onuma Quasi-National Park is a large park located at the foot of the magnificent Mount Komagatake. Visitors can experience many different activities alongside nature throughout the year.
Sightseeing Boat
- Address
- 1023-1, Onuma, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido
- Tel
- 0138-67-2229
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from JR Onuma Koen Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/
Cycling
- Address
- 215, Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido (Friendly Bear)
- Tel
- 0138-67-2194
- Access
- About 1 minute on foot from JR Onuma Koen Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/
Cycling
- Address
- 185-5, Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido (Poroto-kan)
- Tel
- 0138-67-2536
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot from JR Onuma Koen Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/
Canoeing
- Address
- 22-4, Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun (Exander Onuma Canoe House)
- Tel
- 0138-67-3419
- Access
- About 14 minutes on foot from JR Onuma Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/
Canoeing
- Address
- 816-20, Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido (Canoe East Onuma)
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from JR Onuma Koen Station.
- URL
- http://onumakouen.com/en/