“The night view is fine!” Restoration update from Hakodate, Hokkaido

The tsunami caused flooding in coastal areas of Hakodate City, particularly around JR Hakodate Station and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse district, resulting in direct damage and disruption to the city’s tourism industry. According to the latest updates from the Hakodate City Tourism Promotion Division, seawater has now receded from the morning market and the Kanemori area. With local efforts, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse was restored and reopened on the 17th, while the morning market resumed operations on the 19th, with some previously closed shops gradually reopening. Major tourist attractions outside the coastal area, except for the “Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Moshuku Maru” near JR Hakodate Station, which remains closed, have not been affected. Key facilities in the Motomachi Cross Street area—including museums, Western-style buildings, and the Hakodate Ropeway, which offers night views—remain fully operational. Regarding accommodation, according to the Hakodate Ryokan Cooperative Association, hotel reservations have returned to normal.

In terms of transportation links, express buses between Sapporo and Hakodate are still operating, but JR trains—one of the commonly used transport options for independent travelers—have seen partial suspensions on routes to Sapporo, Esashi, and Oshamanbe due to flooded tracks and train cars, though some services remain available. Sleeper trains traveling from Tokyo to Hakodate sustained more significant damage, and it is currently unclear when they will resume operation.