Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
The Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway is used by many tourists as a way to climb up to Mt. Tenjyoyama from Lake Kawaguchi. From inside the gondola, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Kawaguchi below.
Mt. Tenjo is definitely worth visiting. The ropeway ride up feels really relaxing, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji looks incredibly sharp. Paired with Lake Kawaguchi, the view has so much depth.
Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street (Main Approach to Asakusa Temple)
Located on the approach to Asakusa Temple, this shopping street consists of food and souvenir shops lining the approximately 250m stone-paved path from Asakusa Temple's main gate, the Kaminarimon Gate, to the "Treasure House Gate". Known as "Nakamise", about 90 stores are built across the approach, bustling daily with visitors to Asakusa Temple and tourists from both Japan and abroad.
It gets really crowded, especially on weekends—it’s almost shoulder to shoulder, so be prepared.
Koami Shrine
Koami Shrine was established in 1466, and is located in Ningyocho, with various nostalgic restaurants, and offices. It evaded destruction from the Great Tokyo Air Raids. Soldiers who went to the battlefield carrying charms from the shrine miraculously returned, making the shrine popular as a spot for good luck and warding away bad luck.
This shrine is known for strong luck and bringing in wealth, so a lot of people come here specifically to pray for financial luck. It’s pretty famous.
The money-washing area is really popular. Everyone lines up to wash their money, which is kind of fun. The shrine is small, but it has a strong sense of energy and doesn’t feel casual or thrown together.
Goryokaku Tower
Goryokaku Tower, built adjacent to Goryokaku Park, offers a bird's-eye view of the Goryokaku Ruins, a special national historic site, from 90 meters above ground, and is loved by locals and tourists alike as a landmark of Hakodate.
Seeing the whole star shape from the plane was super obvious. I recognized it right away, and it felt totally different from seeing it on the ground. You can really appreciate the design from an aerial view.
Seeing that incredibly precise star shape makes you realize how amazing people in the past were.
Mt. Hakodate Observatory
The Mt. Hakodate Observatory is the final stop of Mt. Hakodate Ropeway. The first floor features an inside lounge, the Ryoubi Park popular among locals as a less-crowded area to enjoy the night sceneries. The second floor features a summit shop, and restaurant selling Mt. Hakodate original goods. The third floor features a tea lounge, and the fourth floor features an observatory lounge.
It’s definitely worth coming during the day too. You get a full view of Hakodate city and the bay, and the view feels incredibly open.
You can clearly see Hakodate’s unique geography, with the sea on both sides and a narrow stretch connecting the middle. It’s really special.
Motomachi Roman Catholic Church
Built by French missionary Father Mermet de Cashon when he entered Hakodate in 1859, the Motomachi Roman Catholic Church was rebuilt in 1910. It adopts the 12th-century Gothic architectural style, featuring a pointed bell tower soaring 33 meters high, a distinctive feature of the church. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Japan, alongside those established in Yokohama and Nagasaki.
The outside of the church feels very European, and walking around the Motomachi area really gives you the illusion of being abroad.
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
The Old Public Hall of Hakodate ward, a Western-style building constructed in 1910, underwent extensive conservation and repair work in 2021, restoring it to its original beauty.
The inside has a European-style design, and the decor is very elegant. It really feels like stepping back in time into high society.
The exterior is super eye-catching too. The yellow-and-blue color scheme is really unique, and you notice it even from far away.
Akanko Onsen
Lake Akan is known as a natural habitat of marimo, a Special Natural Monument of Japan. On its lakeshore sits Akanko Onsen, the leading hot spring resort area in eastern Hokkaido with a history of over 100 years. A hot spring town stretches along the shore of Lake Akan, lined with around 20 ryokan, hotels, and guesthouses. Many hot spring facilities face the lake, and their location is outstanding, offering panoramic views of Lake Akan and Mt. Oakan from the baths and guest rooms.
The hot spring was amazing. Soaking in the outdoor bath while watching the snow was incredibly relaxing.
If you get a lake-view room, it really makes a big difference. Waking up to Lake Akan in the morning feels so peaceful.
Lake Akan
Lake Akan is Hokkaido's fifth largest freshwater lake and is known as a habitat for marimo moss balls. Marimo moss balls can be found in freshwater lakes all over the world, but the ones in Lake Akan have international significance due to their beautiful spherical shape with a diameter of more than 15 cm.
Walking on a frozen lake for the first time was honestly pretty mind-blowing. It felt kind of unreal.
Ice fishing was a lot of fun, but whether you actually catch anything really comes down to luck.
Lake Shikaribetsu
Lake Shikaribetsu, located at an elevation of approximately 810 meters, is Hokkaido’s highest-altitude lake and the only natural lake within Daisetsuzan National Park. Formed around 30,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption that dammed a river, it is known as the “Celestial Lake” and is surrounded by small volcanic peaks like Mount Tenbo and Mount Hakuun. The pristine landscape, featuring untouched forests of Sakhalin fir, Yezo spruce, and birch trees, is a stunning highlight.
This place is seriously so cool. Seeing the whole village made of ice in person felt totally unreal.