If you want to experience a different side of Hakodate, you should definitely visit the Hakodate Morning Market! The dazzling array of fresh seafood and dried goods is a feast for the eyes, and the warm, friendly vendors make exploring the market even more enjoyable. I recommend buying some scallop candy as a souvenir. If you browse farther from the entrance, you can sometimes find better prices and take home both the flavors of Hokkaido and fond memories!
Hakodate Morning Market | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Yoroshi Keshodo (Cosmetics) “365 Hand Cream”
Yoroshi Keshodo (Cosmetics) develops and distributes original skincare products based on the concept of Taisho Romanticism. They are famous for their pretty package designs and the quality derived from the beauty essence of rice bran and sake lees.
Yoroshi Keshodo's “365 Hand Cream” is located on the shopping street leading to Senso-ji Temple, so it's almost impossible to miss. Every time I pass by, I see lots of women gathered around the counter testing scents and choosing one. It's really popular~
The most appealing part is the concept of “365 birthday scents,” with a unique fragrance for every day of the year. It gives you a one-of-a-kind feeling that “this scent was made just for me,” making it perfect as a souvenir or a small birthday gift. However, after actually using it, I found the texture a little sticky, which might bother people who prefer a lighter hand cream. I recommend trying it first. -
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Hakodate Bugyosho
Hakodate Magistrate’s Office faithfully recreates the Edo Shognate’s security base around Japan’s northern territory. It is built at the original location in the former Goryokaku (the star-shaped fort), using as much similar skills and provisions as those in the Edo Period, such as pine beams, Bingo tatami mats or sliding doors with hand-made paper.
The interior is very well preserved. Walking through the tatami rooms and wooden spaces, you can almost feel the historical atmosphere of the final years of the shogunate. The museum displays many historical materials from that period and also features some interactive games, making it easier for visitors to learn about the history and daily life of the time.
The Hakodate Magistrate’s Office was built in 1864 as an important administrative institution established by the Edo shogunate to strengthen its rule and defense of Ezo, and it served as a major northern base. Following the Boshin War and the end of the shogunate, the office closed in 1869. The current building was reconstructed based on surviving plans, documents, and photographs, allowing us to experience the history of the final years of the shogunate more closely through an actual visit. -
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Seirogan
Seirogan is a gastrointestinal medication that has been a staple in Japanese households for over 100 years. Its main active ingredient, the herbal medicine (a natural plant with medicinal properties) and Japanese pharmacopoeia “JP wood creosote” helps to adjust the water balance in the intestines without disrupting intestinal movement.
A medicine we've always kept at home since I was little, mainly for relieving diarrhea, loose stools, stomach discomfort, and other symptoms. I remember it having a pretty strong smell, which I personally don't particularly like, but for older family members, it's reassuring to keep a bottle at home.
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