TOUR OVERVIEW
Uncover the charming blend of nature, history, and modern-day life on this curated Hakodate shore excursion. Designed for a gentle pace, this journey lets you stroll through the star-shaped elegance of Goryokaku Park, savor the flavors of fresh seafood at the lively Asaichi Market, and admire historical architecture at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
The experience concludes with a panoramic ride to Mt. Hakodate’s summit, where one of Japan’s most iconic cityscapes awaits. Perfectly timed to your cruise schedule, this tour invites you to relax and enjoy Hakodate’s rich culture and scenic splendor.
Who This Tour Is For:
Cruise guests who prefer a relaxed and well-paced city experience.
Seniors and mature travelers who enjoy scenic views, cultural landmarks, and local markets.
Visitors seeking an introduction to Hakodate’s unique blend of history, nature, and seaside charm.
Photographers and culture enthusiasts who love panoramic city views and historical architecture.
FULL INITERARY
Meet Your Guide & Depart from Port
Meet your English-speaking guide and board a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to begin your Hakodate adventure.
Visit Goryokaku Park & Tower
Explore the star-shaped fortress of Goryokaku, Japan’s first Western-style fort, now a beautiful public park filled with cherry trees and tranquil paths. Ascend Goryokaku Tower for a breathtaking aerial view of the fort’s star formation and the surrounding cityscape, a moment of both beauty and history.
Explore Hakodate Asaichi (Morning Market)
Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of the local fish market, where vendors showcase the bounty of Hokkaido’s seas. Try fresh seafood snacks, see live squid tanks, or browse stalls filled with local delicacies and souvenirs.
Visit Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Wander through this charming waterfront district, where 19th-century red brick buildings have been transformed into quaint boutiques, cafes, and craft shops. It's a perfect spot to shop for artisanal gifts or simply enjoy the historic ambiance.
Ride the Ropeway to Mt. Hakodate
Hop aboard the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway for a scenic ascent to the summit. From the observation deck, soak in a 360-degree panoramic view of Hakodate, framed by ocean, mountains, and the city below — regarded as one of the most stunning views in Japan.
Return to Port
Relax as you’re driven back to port with plenty of time to spare. Bid farewell to your guide and enjoy free time onboard before your ship departs.
Note:The order of visits may vary depending on traffic and opening hours to ensure the smoothest experience possible.
Book tour now with Japan Shore Excursions – Your local experts in unforgettable journeys!
Harold Jensen –
Two couples from HAL Westerdam
10/10 for Lara Nguyen from Japan Shore Excursions, quick answers, full explanations.
This PRIVATE excursion was fabulous, very good car with driver and very nice English speaking guide for a much lower price than the boat.
No waiting at the landing of the liner yet rescheduled 1 hour earlier, left at 7:30am, no waiting despite a crowd present thanks to our guide who accompanied us from end to end.
I highly recommend Japan Shore Excursions and will not hesitate to call on their services. Thank you, LARA.
Barbara Hensley –
We recently toured Japan on a cruise but do not like to do excursions with busloads of people. Felix was our amazing agent and planned individual guides and drivers for us. The guides just could not have been nicer, spoke good English, and the drivers were extremely competent while driving impeccable and comfortable vans.
Our outstanding guide took us to local restaurants that they recommended, and we gladly bought them lunch for the experience of enjoying real local food and not touristy places.
After every tour Felix checked in with me to make sure everything was going well. Having been in the service industry for 40 years, I cannot stress enough the level of superior service Felix and her company provide. If their prices seem high, just remember you get what you pay for.
Caroline Finch –
I booked boat and seaplane tour for my family and friends (group of 6). We were in Hakodate on Celebrity cruise. The tour we took was AMAZING!
Our driver, who was on time, parked the clean and recent mini tour bus right in front of the gang way with our guide standing near by with a sign one could easily read. Upon his greeting he made us all feel at ease and were given fans from the company. We quickly boarded eager to start our day.
This tour exceeded our expectations! Our tour guide was so energetic and knowledgable and we loved the stories he told up about Hakodate. I highly recommend.