簡玲's Reviews Page 3/4

Kikuyo Shokudo Main Store

Founded in 1956, Kikuyo Shokudo Main Store started as a small establishment with about ten seats but has now expanded to accommodate thirty seats. In response to its popularity, the diner has grown to include several locations: a branch a short 30-second walk from the main store, a Bay Area store, and a New Chitose Airport store, serving locals and travelers alike with dishes made from fresh ingredients sourced in Hakodate.

Hakodate and Matsumae
Japanese Cuisine

27 Dec 2023 See More

This place is famous for its fresh, high-quality seafood rice bowls and charcoal-grilled fish. It's super popular, and there's always a long line on weekends. If you love seafood bowls, you have to try it—don't miss out!

Sabo Kyuchayatei

"Sabo Kyuchayatei" is a repair and preservation of a store and residence of a marine merchant from the late Meiji period, designated as a traditional building, as well as a reproduction of a Taisho-romantic salon where foreigners of the time were said to have stopped by to seek peace of mind. It opened in 1992, taking over the name of the former teahouse pavilion, which was operated for a limited time by the owner at the time of the Seikan Expo.

Hakodate and Matsumae
Cafés

27 Dec 2023 See More

The building itself is a classic Hakodate-style mix of Japanese and Western architecture—really unique! If you're done exploring Motomachi in the morning, this is a great spot to relax and have some afternoon tea. Their hot coffee, aged for three years, is a must-try. If you like this kind of vintage café, I highly recommend this place.

EVERYONEs CAFE

Opened in July 2022 inside Japan’s first urban park, Ueno Onshi Park, EVERYONEs CAFE lives up to its name, offering a welcoming space for people of all ages, genders, and nationalities.

Ueno, Nippori
Cafés

27 Dec 2023 See More

The decor is really comfortable and clean. Besides drinks, coffee, and desserts, there are plenty of main dishes to choose from. The prices are very reasonable. Highly recommend it—it's a great place for a meal!

Former British Consulate of Hakodate

The Former British Consulate was established when Hakodate port opened as an international port in 1859. Following several fires and rebuildings, the current building completed in 1913 opens to the public as the Opening-Port Memorial Hall.

Hakodate and Matsumae
Museums

26 Dec 2023 See More

There's a café inside the British Consulate where you can enjoy afternoon tea and try some British tea. It really feels like being in Europe! Before you leave, check out the shop for some tea sets or souvenirs.

Motomachi Roman Catholic Church

Built by French missionary Father Mermet de Cashon when he entered Hakodate in 1859, the Motomachi Roman Catholic Church was rebuilt in 1910. It adopts the 12th-century Gothic architectural style, featuring a pointed bell tower soaring 33 meters high, a distinctive feature of the church. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Japan, alongside those established in Yokohama and Nagasaki.

Hakodate and Matsumae
Museums

26 Dec 2023 See More

The altar inside the church was a gift from the Pope and is beautifully detailed—really luxurious and precious. There's also a 10-story bell tower outside, and the weathercock on top is said to bring blessings and protection. It's a landmark in the Motomachi area and definitely unique.

Hakodate Yunokawa Hot Spring

Yunokawa Hot Spring, visited by 1.35 million people annually, is one of Hokkaido's three major hot spring resorts. It's believed to have originated in 1653 when the 9th lord of the Matsumae Domain, Takahiro, recovered from a serious illness through its healing waters. During the Battle of Hakodate, it's also said that the former Shogunate army leader, Takeaki Enomoto, took to these waters for recuperation, attracting many for its reputed benefits.

Hakodate and Matsumae
Hot Springs & Hot Spring Resorts

26 Dec 2023 See More

After seeing the night view in Hakodate, I stayed at a local Yunokawa Onsen ryokan and really enjoyed soaking in the hot springs. You can even see the famous monkeys bathing in the hot springs nearby! I love coming here—the water is a sodium-calcium chloride spring, which is said to help with nerve pain, muscle aches, and fatigue. Highly recommend!

Clark Horse Garden

Located about a 10-minute drive north of Asahiyama Zoo, Clark Horse Garden is a scenic tourist ranch nestled in untouched natural surroundings. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Daisetsuzan mountain range, the grounds feature renovated old farm buildings that give the place the charming feel of rural America.

Asahikawa and Sounkyo
Experiences Facilities

26 Dec 2023 See More

Riding horses in the snow is a totally different experience! The horses walk just fine even in snowy conditions. The ranch has simple wooden cabins and a huge forest area, so you’re not just riding in a small circle—you really get to enjoy the full horseback riding experience.

Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center

The Visitor Center at Lake Shikotsu, boasting one of the highest water clarities in Japan, introduces visitors to various aspects of the lake under the theme "A Journey to Another Lake Shikotsu: Into the Forest, Mountains, and Lake." It uses videos and models to present the history of Lake Shikotsu, the active volcanic activity in the area, and the ecology of wildlife around the lake. The multilingual support for videos is a welcome feature.

Chitose and Tomakomai
Museums

26 Dec 2023 See More

At the visitor center theater, you can watch a 15-minute film on a big screen. No worries about the language barrier—it's available in six languages! You also get to see the beautiful seasonal changes of Lake Shikotsu. There are tours of the forest and valleys too, so you really get to experience the natural beauty of the area.

nouson808

Iwagi Island, connected to Yumeshima Kaido road in March 2022, is called the “Green Lemon Island” for the active citrus cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Furukawa used to dream of living on an island. Since they were ordering lemons from this island, they moved from Kyoto and opened the “Blue Lemon Farm.” The cafe is about a 5-minute drive from the farm, which was opened as a farm-owned cafe in July 2022. The wife, Yukiko, is the owner and welcomes visitors with a smile.

Ehime
Cafés

25 Dec 2023 See More

The owner uses their own homegrown lemons, sparing no expense—each drink has more than one and a half lemons! The lemonade is mildly sweet and tangy. I always have to order it every time I visit.

Kitchen 313 Kamiyuge

This bagel shop is located in an alley on Yuge Island. The wooden building is the shop owner, Maki Miyahata's grandmother, and father’s old house. The main pillar is made of tsuga wood, a high-grade building material, and carpenters' playful workmanship remains, and the building is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.

Cafés

25 Dec 2023 See More

This place is a small bakery and coffee shop converted from a century-old warehouse. They bake all kinds of handmade bread daily, and the space is filled with the gentle aroma of wheat and coffee. Their toast and bagels are really popular, made with the healthiest yeast for delicious bread.