Hakodate has a lot of character. Strolling slowly along the harbor, you can see the red brick warehouses, the port, and historic streetscapes. The strong international atmosphere makes it hard to stop taking pictures.
The best places to shop in the bay area are Bay Hakodate and Kanemori Yobutsukan. They have everything from local gifts and fragrances to sundries and cute little items, as well as a Sapporo Drug Store. You really do end up buying more and more, so it's very convenient if you're looking for Hokkaido souvenirs! Don't miss Hakodate's popular food spots either, such as Lucky Pierrot burgers and Hasegawa Store's yakitori bento. Lucky Pierrot can get pretty crowded, so you may have to wait for a table. As for the taste, that depends on your personal preference!
The Hakodate Bay Area isn't just for sightseeing. You can shop, eat, and buy souvenirs all in one place. It's perfect for spending half a day walking around and browsing at a relaxed pace. If you like retro streetscapes and little shops, you really shouldn't miss this area.
Hakodate Port (Tsugaru Strait Ferry Hakodate Terminal) | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Sukesan Udon Uomachi Branch
Sukesan Udon is a udon chain that originated in Kitakyushu. The Uomachi Branch is located in the Uomachi Shopping Arcade in Kokura and is popular with everyone from locals to tourists. Its carefully crafted flavors, extensive menu of more than 150 items, and exceptional convenience as a 24-hour, year-round restaurant are all part of its appeal.
On this trip to Kokura in Kitakyushu, I went out of my way to visit a well-known local udon restaurant, Sukesan Udon Uomachi Branch! I was originally just looking for a quick bowl of noodles, but it turned out to be unexpectedly delicious, and the prices were incredibly low. The value for money was a pleasant surprise!
Ordering is self-service, so you can choose items according to your preferences. The restaurant is also quite spacious and comfortable for dining. The udon noodles are smooth and chewy, and the broth is rich yet easy to drink. Even a simple bowl of noodles was very satisfying.
The best part is that this restaurant is open 24 hours, so whether it's morning, evening, or the middle of the night, you can always get a steaming bowl of udon!
If you're visiting Kokura and looking for affordable and delicious local food, this place is definitely worth adding to your list!
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Sarakurayama Observatory
It's an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kitakyushu city area. To reach the observatory at the summit of the 622-meter-high mountain, visitors take a cable car and a slope car.
On this trip to Kitakyushu, I made a special point of visiting the Sarakurayama Observatory, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! To reach the summit, you can take a cable car and then transfer to a small monorail called the slope car. Along the way, you can enjoy the mountain scenery, and as the car slowly climbs, the view becomes more and more expansive. Just riding up was a lot of fun.
After reaching the summit, the view was even more stunning! You can see Kitakyushu, the mountains, and the bay in the distance. At night, the entire city sparkles with lights, and together with the winding waterways and bridges, it creates an incredibly beautiful million-dollar night view. I really couldn’t stop taking pictures.
This isn’t just a great place to enjoy the scenery—the cable car ride up the mountain is also well worth experiencing. If you’re traveling to Kitakyushu, I highly recommend adding the Sarakurayama Observatory to your itinerary and seeing this captivating night view for yourself. It’s definitely worth the trip!
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Shiranoe Botanical Garden
Open for nearly 80 years as a botanical park, this spot on a gentle hill offers natural landscapes woven by plants throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy seasonal views including spring cherry blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, lotuses, autumn wildflowers, and foliage. The park exudes an authentic Japanese ambiance throughout, with over 700 cherry trees of 60 varieties from Kyushu, making it one of the most significant collections in the region.
On this trip to Kitakyushu, I found another place that made me feel relaxed—Shiranoe Botanical Garden. The entire park is beautifully maintained, and you can enjoy all kinds of flowers, plants, and trees along the way. Walking through the park feels especially pleasant.
The best thing about this place is that it offers different scenery in every season. You can enjoy soft pink cherry blossoms in spring and romantic red maple leaves in fall. Each season brings a different kind of natural beauty.
The park never feels rushed. It’s perfect for slowing down, enjoying the scenery as you walk, finding a place to sit and rest, and spending some leisurely time.
Compared with busy tourist attractions, I prefer quiet places like this where I can get close to nature and take a peaceful walk.
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