This time, I chose to travel from Sapporo to Hakodate by Shinkansen. Although the trip takes about 4 hours, I enjoyed sitting back and slowly taking in the scenery outside, seeing the changing views along the way, and embracing the relaxed pace of travel. Bringing along a few small activities is also a good way to pass the time. Origami turned out to be surprisingly useful—we folded paper and chatted, and before we knew it, the time had passed.
After arriving at Hakodate Station, I could immediately feel a different atmosphere from Sapporo as soon as I stepped outside. There were far fewer people, and the streets felt more laid-back, with a strong sense of local everyday life. If you visit around Christmas, you can also see festive Christmas lights along the streets〜
Hakodate Station | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Susukino
Susukino is one of the most famous entertainment districts in Sapporo. Along with Kabukicho in Shinjuku and Nakasu in Fukuoka, Susukino is called one of the "three central entertainment districts in Japan.
When visiting Sapporo's bustling Susukino district, one of the most iconic landmarks is the Nikka Whisky sign. This neon sign has been widely recognized since it was installed in 1969 for its “King of Blenders” image, chosen by whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru. After several updates, it has become a signature photo spot in Susukino. Every evening, crowds gather in front of the sign, so you have to act quickly to get the angle you want. Seeing Susukino in falling snow this time made the atmosphere even more romantic.
Starting April 7, 2026, the fifth-generation Nikka man will continue watching over everyone on the street, opening a new chapter for this classic landmark. Next time I visit, I'll definitely stop by for another photo〜 -
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Hakodate Airport
The second largest airport in Hokkaido after New Chitose Airport, it is the gateway to the Donan (southern Hokkaido region). It serves domestic flights to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and three other airports in Hokkaido, as well as international flights to Taipei.
Although Hakodate Airport is much smaller than New Chitose Airport, there are still plenty of unique little shops to explore inside the terminal. Compared with the popular souvenirs commonly found at larger airports, it's easier to discover distinctive local Hakodate products here, including some that may be hard to find elsewhere. It's a good place for some last-minute treasure hunting before your trip ends. Products sold at the airport have likely undergone some level of screening, so their quality and taste are relatively reliable. If you see something you like, I recommend buying it right away! Otherwise, realizing you didn't buy it after returning home is often what you'll regret most.
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Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito is a well-known brand of sweets in Hokkaido. At Shiroi Koibito Park, you can tour the production line, learn the history of chocolate from the display, and create your own Shiroi Koibito snack.
The park is themed around the classic Shiroi Koibito chocolate cookies and is filled with European-style architecture and a fairy-tale atmosphere, making it great for photos. Besides touring and sampling sweets, the shop also sells Hokkaido-exclusive products that are different from the usual souvenirs found at the airport and are very cute.
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