Hakodate Morning Market
A cluster of 300-odd shops and eateries selling fresh seafood and vegetables, under the one roof.
On a corner close to Hakodate Station can be found the bustling Hakodate Asaichi (Morning Market), tempting visitors with an array of delectable fresh Hakodate produce. The Morning Market is open for business from as early as 5 am (6 am during the winter) and closes at noon. Seafood, vegetables, fruit and sweets are just some of the edibles available for purchase. Enjoy a spot of shopping at the market and be sure to check out the live crabs and shellfish in their massive tanks.
Freshly-caught squids can be seen swimming vigorously around purpose-built fish tanks in the market. A really popular tourist pastime is to try catching these squids. All it takes to catch one is a rod with a hook on the end, so chance your arm! Once you've caught one, a chef will take your catch and prepare squid sashimi for you. Fresh squid sashimi with its glistening translucent flesh is not only a beautiful feast for the eyes, but a real taste sensation as well.
The "Donburi Yokocho Ichiba" is a restaurant arcade located inside the Hakodate Morning Market, featuring some 20 eateries. If you're looking to sample fresh crab, salmon caviar, sea urchin and other seafood delights, then this is the place to visit. You shouldn’t visit Hakodate without trying the famous seafood dish commonly known as "seafood rice bowl", a bowl of steaming rice topped with raw seafood. If you're a tourist in Hakodate, then it is the done thing to head to the Hakodate Morning Market to sample the seafood rice bowl for breakfast.
Soft bite-sized cheesecakes literally take the cake when it comes to the most popular dessert in Hakodate. The red-brick warehouse complex is home to the well-known patisseries Pastry Snaffle’s and Petite Merveille, where these amazing little creations can be sampled in adjoining sit-down cafés. If you're in need of a pick-me-up after sightseeing and shopping, this is the perfect tea break solution.
The "Michelin Green Guide Japon" gives a one-star recommendation to the walk around Hakodate Port. A stroll in the refreshing sea breeze among the historical red-brick buildings of the port is a truly pleasurable experience. The red-brick warehouses are lit up at night, creating a distinctly romantic atmosphere.
