Katsurahama Aquarium is just adorable! It's not very big, but you can get super close to all the animals and there's a lot of interaction.
The penguin and sea lion shows are really fun, and the staff are super friendly. The whole place feels really warm and welcoming, and it's a great spot for photos too!
Kaiten Sushi Hakodate Marukatsu Suisan Main Branch
Located just a short walk from JR Hakodate Station inside the Hakodate Bay Gourmet Club, a dining complex in the bay area, this conveyor-belt sushi restaurant is operated directly by a long-established fishmonger.
The prices aren't exactly cheap, but considering the level of freshness you get in Hokkaido, it's pretty reasonable. The atmosphere is lively—feels more like you're here for seafood than just sushi. Everything is really fresh, so I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Tsuruya Shokudo
A long-established restaurant serving Yoshida Udon for around 70 years, now run by the third generation. The restaurant is widely regarded as the originator of horse meat toppings, a now-standard feature of Yoshida Udon.
This place has such a local vibe! The restaurant is small but really cozy, and the owner is super friendly. The udon noodles are hand-made, super chewy and bouncy—so good! Even just with a simple sauce or some tempura, it's delicious. The portions are generous and the prices are really reasonable. I especially recommend the one with a raw egg—mix it in and it smells amazing! Overall, it's a humble little spot that makes you want to come back again.
Karasawa Cirque
A bowl-shaped glacial landform surrounded by the Hotaka Mountain Range in the Northern Alps, this scenic spot is known for its dramatic alpine views and vibrant fall foliage covering the mountainsides in autumn. Beyond the autumn colors, its appeal also lies in the seasonal natural scenery, from snowy winter landscapes to alpine flowers in summer. Karasawa Cirque sits at an elevation of Approx. 2,300 meters, while the surrounding ridgelines rise to around 3,000 meters, creating an elevation difference of up to 900 meters.
Absolutely spectacular! Surrounded by high mountains, it feels like a stage set by nature.
The fall foliage is especially famous, with the whole valley covered in dreamy shades of red, orange, and yellow.
A lot of people come here just to hike, camp, and watch the sunrise or a sky full of stars. The atmosphere is incredible.
It takes some climbing to get there, but the scenery is totally worth it!
