Hokkaido Shinkansen Opens: Five Must-Visit Spots in Hakodate to Experience Northern Charm

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network Editorial Team
 
The section of the Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori Station and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station officially opened on March 26. Traveling aboard the sleek, speed-inspired Hokkaido Shinkansen — which reaches a top speed of 260 km/h — you can depart from Tokyo and reach Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in just about four hours, allowing travelers to plan a richer and more exciting itinerary for their Japan trip.

After the opening, via the Tohoku Shinkansen, passengers will pass through the undersea Seikan Tunnel. Travelers can go directly from Tokyo to Hokkaido without transfers. After passing through the tunnel, you can enjoy the scenic, expansive natural beauty of Hokkaido through the train windows. Upon arriving at Hakodate-Hokuto Station, you can take the “Hakodate Liner,” which takes only about 20 minutes to reach central Hakodate.

● Goryokaku
Goryokaku is a uniquely shaped star-shaped fortress. The park is full of cherry blossom trees, making it a famous spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) when the flowers bloom in spring. The varieties are primarily Yoshino cherry trees, and during the cherry blossom festival, about 1,600 trees bloom along the star-shaped fortress. In addition to strolling and admiring the blossoms in the park, you can also visit the Goryokaku Tower nearby and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire star-shaped “Goryokaku Ruins” surrounded by pink cherry blossoms.

● Former Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
One of the best things to do in Hakodate is to explore the area on foot. Especially in the Motomachi district, you can admire Western-style buildings such as the former Hakodate Ward Public Hall, as well as uniquely blended Japanese-Western architectural styles that give Hakodate its distinctive charm.