Hakodate Tour: Mt. Hakodate, Goryokaku Fort & Market

Morning market seafood, a high summit, and a fortress where Japan's last civil war ended

A private full-day guided tour of Hakodate with an English-speaking guide takes you through the morning market, the Red brick warehouses shopping district, to the 334-meter summit of Mt. Hakodate by ropeway, and up a 90-meter tower at Goryokaku fortress. You travel by city bus and tram between stops, and the guide recommends an alternative viewpoint if high winds close the ropeway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hakodate city and landmarks

• Walk to Hakodate morning market
• Take tram to Red brick warehouses
• Shop and eat at Red brick warehouses
• Take bus to Mt. Hakodate Ropeway base
• Ride ropeway to Mt. Hakodate summit
• Enjoy view and lunch at summit
• Take bus to Goryokaku fort
• Visit Goryokaku tower and view fortress
• Have lunch near Goryokaku if desired

The experience

The day starts at Hakodate morning market, where you walk with your guide past stalls of freshly caught seafood (squid, snow crab, hairy crab, salmon, tuna, scallop), and fresh fruits, dried goods, and sushi bars. You can grab food here if you want. From there, a city tram takes you to the Red brick warehouses near the seafront, a shopping and dining area with local restaurants and coffee shops including the famous Lucky Pierrot burger chain.

Next comes the ropeway up Mt. Hakodate. The cable car climbs 334 meters to the summit, one of three significant views in Japan. On a clear day you can see across the Tsugaru Strait to Honshu island. The summit building holds a restaurant, café, snack stand and souvenir shop. If strong winds close the ropeway, your guide will suggest an alternative spot. Lunch can be eaten here or elsewhere in the city. The guide can point you toward options.

The final stop is Goryokaku fortress, reached by city bus. A 90-meter tower gives you a full view of the star-shaped fort where Japan's last civil war was fought between shogunate and government forces. The tower building holds multiple restaurants (Japanese, curry, ramen, sushi, and that same Lucky Pierrot location) plus a magistrate's office you can visit. The whole tour runs about six and a half hours and moves at a pace set by your guide.

What’s included

• English-speaking professional guide for the full day.
• city bus and tram fares between stops.
• Mt. Hakodate ropeway ride to the 334-meter summit.
• entry to Goryokaku tower and magistrate's office.
• access to shops, cafés and restaurants at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tomio Yokouchi

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide who knows the city and can adjust the pace and stops to your interests. A shared group tour moves faster and costs less. This one gives you flexibility and the guide's full attention for the six and a half hours.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of seafood will I see at Hakodate morning market?

The market displays freshly caught squid, snow crab, hairy crab, salmon, tuna, and scallop, along with fresh fruits, dried seafood, and sushi bars where you can buy and eat if you want.

Can I visit the top of Mt. Hakodate if the ropeway closes?

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway can stop running in strong wind. When that happens, your guide will recommend an alternative viewpoint so you still see a significant Hakodate vista.

Where can I eat lunch during this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you can eat at the summit building of Mt. Hakodate or near Goryokaku fortress, where restaurants serve Japanese food, curry, ramen, sushi, and burgers.

What is Goryokaku fortress and why does it matter?

Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort where Japan's last civil war was fought between shogunate and government forces. A 90-meter tower lets you see the entire fortress layout from above.

How do we get around Hakodate during this tour?

You travel by city bus and city tram between stops: the morning market, Red brick warehouses, Mt. Hakodate ropeway base, and Goryokaku. Your guide leads the way and handles the route.