Southern Hokkaido

Historic port, night views and seafood: Hakodate, Lake Ōnuma and Matsumae.

Hakodate · Onuma · Matsumae

At a glance

Best season: May–October; winter for fewer crowds and seafood
Access: From Sapporo about 4–5 hrs by road (approx.), or a short flight to Hakodate
Suggested stay: 2 nights
Good for: Night views, seafood, history, couples, relaxed trips

About the region

The historic port city. Mt. Hakodate's million-dollar night view, morning market uni & squid, Motomachi's Meiji-era architecture and Japan's northernmost cherry blossoms.

Southern Hokkaido is where Hokkaido first met the outside world. Hakodate pairs a harbor-town atmosphere with one of Japan's famous night views, a lively morning market and the star-shaped Goryōkaku fort, while Lake Ōnuma and Matsumae, Hokkaido's only castle town, add nature and history.

Places to go

Hakodate
The night view from Mt. Hakodate, the morning market and the hillside streets of Motomachi.
City guide
Goryōkaku
A star-shaped fort, framed by cherry blossoms from late April into May.
Lake Ōnuma
Islets and walking paths beneath the peak of Mt. Komagatake.
Matsumae
Matsumae Castle and its cherry trees, in bloom from late April into May.
Esashi
An old herring-trading town with preserved merchant streets.

Season guide

Spring: Cherry blossoms around late April to early May, later than on Honshu.
Summer: Cool and green, with squid and seafood in season.
Autumn: Foliage and clear air for night views.
Winter: Fewer visitors, hearty winter seafood and snowy views from Mt. Hakodate.

Getting there & getting around

From Sapporo or New Chitose Airport: about 4–5 hours by road (approx.), or a short domestic flight to Hakodate. From Hakodate, Lake Ōnuma is about 30–40 minutes and Matsumae about 2 hours by car (approx.).

A private transfer or charter is the easiest way to see the region: one vehicle, your luggage stays on board, and the day follows your pace. Our drivers speak English and Japanese, and our team supports you in Chinese.

Airport transfer Private charter Day tours Car rental

Sample routes

1Fly into Hakodate and spend 2 nights in the city.
2Sapporo → Lake Tōya or Noboribetsu → Hakodate (3 nights) as a one-way private charter.
3Hakodate, Lake Ōnuma and Matsumae in cherry-blossom season.

See all itineraries

Pricing guide

Private charter: From ¥65,000 / 10 hours
One-day Hokkaido tour: From ¥55,000 / 8–10 hours (depends on itinerary and date)
Airport transfer: From ¥25,000 (New Chitose → Sapporo city hotels)
Self-drive rental: From ¥6,000 / day

All prices include tax.

Because distances in this region are long, multi-day and point-to-point trips are quoted individually (custom quote). Send us your dates and we will reply with a plan and price.