Day 2: Flight to Hakodate. Overnight at Hakodate.

The day started early as we had to head off via the 6:00AM shuttle bus to the airport for the 7:40AM flight to Hakodate. We managed to buy return domestic tickets for ¥26000 each (not including handling fees). You can read more on the "Welcome to Japan" flight offers here or our domestic travelling post.

Once we arrived, we purchase the Day Tram & Bus ticket for ¥1000 each. Generally a tram or bus ride would set you back at least ¥200 each but normally not more than ¥300 per trip. So we reckon it would be worth while to get the daily ticket since it could be utilized for the Shuttle bus to our hotel at Goryokaku area and throughout the day.

There are two Shuttle bus service from the airport. One is to the Goryokaku area, and a second to the JR Hakodate Station area. When selecting your hotel, select it based on the areas closed to this two landmark. We had initially thought that we booked near the JR Hakodate station, but realised that it was at Goryokaku when we arrive. Still it was only about 10 mins by tram/bus to the JR Hakodate area where most of the touristy stuff is situated.


We had booked our hotel at Dormy Inn, Hakodate. Since all the hotels in Hakodate are priced roughly the same, we picked ours as it provided free Onsen service. Please note that Dormy Inn and La Vista Hotel are a chain and it is available throughout Hokkaido area. Free Onsen service is provided at all La Vista Hotel and all Dormy Inn users are able to utilized this facilities for free. They also provide free Ramen at from 8:30-9:30PM each night, which was a nice gesture. 


Not able to check-in since it was early in the morning, we decided to leave all our baggage at Dormy Inn and head off. The hotel manager was very helpful and with his limited English, he recommended us a few things to do.

First on our list, Tram to Yunokawa area, situated at the South-East of Hakodate area and look for our Snow Monkeys. We had to walk about 15 mins from the Tram stop to the location, and without direction or maps, it would be very difficult to find it. The Yunokawa area is famous for its Onsen and the streets are filled with it on the way to the Snow Monkey area.

After paying an entrance fee, we are allowed to an area, very similiar to a Zoo enclosure where the Snow Monkeys are kept in the open, and fenced up at the side. Please note that it was probably about -10°C in Hakodate, but these monkeys were just lazing around in the Onsen. If you look closely at the photos, you could see snowflakes as it was snowing. From where we were standing, it was covered with a few inches of snow.

Next on the list, we had to get some food. We took a direct Bus from Yunokawa area straight to the JR Hakodate area. From our readings, there was a street there where than had many stalls that sell local Japanese food. When we arrived, we realised that it was generally opened for dinner, while only a few was opened for lunch.

We quickly had our lunch before heading off to our next destination.

Next on our list, is about 10 mins by Tram/Bus to the South-West corner of Hakodate. The area that we are headed are filled with shopping areas, Shrines, Temples, Churches and all those touristy stuff.
First stop is the Red Brick Warehouse where it is a collections of retail shops, retailing mainly stuff like food, souvenirs and clothing. As it was situated next to the pier, it was originally it was built in 1887 for warehousing, but today most of it have been converted to retail areas.

Next we just walked around in the area using those local tourist attraction maps. We found ourselves a Teddy Bear Museum. We could see that it was filled with Teddy Bears from all over the world which probably spans a hundreds years back. We ended up not visiting the museum as we thought the entrance fee was a little expensive for what they would be showcasing.

Next we visited the area surrounding the base of Mount Hakodate. As you can see from the photos above, the landscape was filled with snow!! The area here consisted with mainly Churches, Temples or Shrines.

First stop, we stopped at the Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church. The church was built in 1859 with some Russian influenced exterior. When we entered the church, it had many elements that was clearly Russian.

Next stop, a temple/shrine situated right below the Mount Hakodate Ropeway. Since it was not opened to public that day, we had to just capture a few photos before heading off.

Last stop for the night is to visit Mount Hakodate via the Ropeway (cable car). The return trip to the top and back will set you back ¥1160each. Once you arrived at the top, you'll be greeted by a the Mount Hakodate Observatory where it host a series of souvenir and retails shops, as well as an open observatory.

We were there just in time for dusk. Many locals as well as tourist (by the buses) were there for the great view. As you can see from the photos above, you can see the landscape changed with the setting of the Sun. As the Japanese may rate it as one of the Best View in Hokkaido.... I reckon it is over-rated!

Just before we left the Mount Hakodate, there was a blizzard where the visibility dropped to below 100m. We headed back to the JR Hakodate area, to the area where we had lunch for dinner, before heading back to the hotel for the night.