Around Hakodate Haristos Orthodox Church × Stays Popular For SunsetsHot springHighly-rated Hotel·Ryokan

This was my first trip to Hakodate. There is only one direct flight a day from Nagoya, and I was incredibly lucky to get a ticket. Visiting a new place for the first time is so exciting. The Room had huge floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of Mt. Hakodate. The space was generous, and the bathtub and sink were spacious as well. The lighting switches were thoughtfully placed throughout, making everything very convenient—it was almost too comfortable! Dinner at Kita Jin (booked separately) was also excellent: premium Genghis Khan in a private room, relaxed and delicious. Breakfast was around 8:00, and we were seated right away. We came without much prior knowledge and were amazed by the variety—and even more by the quality of every dish. My spouse and I travel all over the whole country, and this may have been our best breakfast ever. Personally, I loved the eel snack with tea, dim sum, sashimi, chiffon cake, and egg tarts. What stayed with us most from this trip was meeting so many wonderful people in Hakodate: The kind driver with a great smile on the airport limousine bus. At lunchtime at Lucky Pierrot near the station—busy as it was—a female staff member still let us draw an Ichiban Kuji lottery ticket and gave us a pin badge with a big smile. At NIPPONIA Hotel Hakodate Port Town on our first day—a female staff member kindly explained everything and gave us a hand-drawn illustrated map of nearby spots within walking distance. On an evening sightseeing taxi tour to see Mt. Hakodate’s night view—a female driver born in Hakodate from Donan Taxi carefully explained local history, the Western-style houses in Motomachi, and the origins of Soma-tei. The staff who made our motorboat cruise even more enjoyable under clear skies the next day. At lunch near the station at Uni Specialty Shop Yoichiya—a female employee whose attentiveness and refined service truly impressed us. And above all, at Century Marina’s front desk—the female staff member who kindly explained everything for our first stay left a wonderful impression with her polite service; of course, the male staff member at checkout was also outstanding. The quick yet courteous service at Kita Jin was excellent as well—we are truly grateful to have stayed at this Hotel. It was an intense 2-night/3-day trip to Hakodate, but seeing everyone working so hard to make their city shine really moved us—it looked genuinely inspiring. We will definitely come again. I truly fell in love with historic Hakodate from the bottom of my heart!