During the night, the city of Hakodate glows from the surface of the world with bright lights and incredible beauty.
Awarded with three stars in the Michelin Guide, the night view of the fan-shaped town of Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Bay is a must-see when visiting Hokkaido.
Hop on a ropeway to the summit of Mt. Hakodate and be satisfied with this fantastic view.
Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
19-7, Motomachi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido, 040-0054 Japan
Telephone: +81 (0138) 23-3105
Website: http://www.334.co.jp
We highly recommend visiting Mt. Hakodate during the night, but tourists don’t need to wait until after dark to witness the spectacular view.
It takes 10 minutes on foot from Jujigai Tram Stop to Sanroku Station.
The ropeway is the standard way to visit the mountain. It takes around three minutes to reach the summit.
Note: It departs every ten minutes.
Regular Fares One way (Adult 780 yen, Child 390 yen)
Regular Fares Round Trip (Adult 1280 yen, Child 640 yen)
The ropeway is open 10:00am to 10:00pm from April 25 to October 15, and 10:00am to 9:00pm from October 16 to April 24.
The best spot is at the back of the car or the right-hand window when the night view slowly reveals itself.
The lights of the view are the actual streetlights and house lights of the locals living in the area.
We spent a relaxing time at Restaurant Genova, enjoying the chef’s special Japanese and Western menu while admiring the view from our seats.
It was my first time in Hokkaido where seafood is a must-try!
I ordered the Hakodate Ryojyou, a platter with all of the Hakodate and Hokkaido favorites–grilled salmon, squid sashimi, salmon sashimi, welk, grilled scallops with panko, grilled king crab, salmon roe, corn, rice, miso soup, and tea (3,090 yen).
I love the seafood in Hakodate–the fish are fattier, the crabs sweeter, and the squids just perfect!
And a glass of Classic Sapporo Beer only available in Hokkaido and nowhere else in Japan! The beer is quite sweet and tastes a bit like juice but with some hoppy bitterness.
I love Sapporo Classic–another must-try for those visiting Hokkaido!
Overall, we enjoyed the view of Mt. Hakodate. It’s exactly like how the locals describe it–a glimmering jewelry box.
This should be an excellent romantic date destination for couples and would make for an unforgettable night. Cheers!
Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
19-7, Motomachi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido, 040-0054 Japan
Telephone: +81 (0138) 23-3105
Website: http://www.334.co.jp
Live an Awesome Life,
Abi of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our experience was a project organized by the Hokkaido District Transport Bureau. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. It was super cold at the summit! Better wear a thick jacket, gloves, and ear muffs during the winter season. And I do wish I could have spent it with someone special. 🙁
