楊雅雯's Reviews Page 6/13

Mt. Hakodate Observatory

The Mt. Hakodate Observatory is the final stop of Mt. Hakodate Ropeway. The first floor features an inside lounge, the Ryoubi Park popular among locals as a less-crowded area to enjoy the night sceneries. The second floor features a summit shop, and restaurant selling Mt. Hakodate original goods. The third floor features a tea lounge, and the fourth floor features an observatory lounge.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Observatories

The night view from Mt. Hakodate really lives up to its reputation. It was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave! Looking down from the observatory, the lights of Hakodate stretch along both sides of the bay, with the water and city forming a beautiful curve. No wonder it's called the “million-dollar night view.”
We were very lucky to have such great weather that day, and the view was incredibly beautiful. If you visit Hokkaido, I really recommend making time to see the night view from Mt. Hakodate. It has a different charm during the day, at dusk, and at night, and the night view is definitely not to be missed!

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

The “Hakodate Ropeway” boasts a 125-seat giant gondola built with domestic and international technology and craftsmanship. It connects the base and summit of Mt. Hakodate at a speed of 7m/s, only a 3 minute ride to the summit. The current gondola is in its 5th generation. Originally it seated 30 seats, but became the way it is now after various refurbishments.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Ropeway

When visiting Mt. Hakodate for the views, taking the ropeway up is definitely the fastest and most convenient option! Each gondola can carry up to 12 people. There aren't many seats inside, so you'll be standing most of the time, but the ride is very smooth, and you can reach the summit in under 3 minutes. It's really fast!
At the summit, the views of Hakodate are also very beautiful. Daytime, dusk, and nighttime each have their own beauty. The famous Hakodate night view in particular is truly worth seeing in person.
However, be aware that it gets extremely crowded on holiday evenings!
If you're planning a trip to Mt. Hakodate, be sure to allow time for waiting in line and check the time of the last ropeway.
Also, ropeway operating hours may vary depending on the season and weather, so remember to check the official website for the latest information before heading out to avoid disrupting your plans.

Hakodate Station

Hakodate Station's commercial zone was renovated in 2016 with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. On the first floor is the "Hokkaido Shikisaikan JR Hakodate Store" offering a variety of local specialties and products, while the second floor features restaurants and an observation deck called the "Rotunda Deck" where visitors can take pictures of trains arriving and departing on the platforms.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Stations & Roadside Stations & Tourist Information Centers

Hakodate Station is a major transportation hub in Hakodate, and for many people visiting Hokkaido, Hakodate is their first stop. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants near the station, making the area very convenient. The famous Hakodate Morning Market is right next door, so after getting off the train, it's just a short walk to enjoy seafood and browse the market. There are also quite a few souvenir shops inside and outside the station, making it easy to buy Hokkaido snacks and local specialties.
You can also take the streetcar to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Motomachi, or Mount Hakodate, so transportation is quite convenient.
Overall, Hakodate Station isn't just a place to catch a train; it's also a convenient starting point for exploring Hakodate.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse features 4 warehouses and is a landmark of the Hakodate Bay Area. It is a romantic, and scenic spot featuring an array of red brick warehouses. It is popular among locals, tourists, and couples.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Commercial Buildings

One of Hakodate's most iconic attractions is the historic Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse complex. A row of red brick warehouses lines the bay, and the red brick buildings against the blue sky and ocean create the romantic atmosphere of a Hokkaido port city. It's just a short walk from the streetcar stop, so it's very convenient to get to.
There are many unique little shops, souvenir shops, and gift shops inside the warehouses. The products are all thoughtfully designed, and it's easy to lose track of time while browsing. This is a great place to slow down, take pictures of the red brick buildings, look out at the ocean, and browse the shops, then stop somewhere for a bite when you get tired. If you visit Hakodate, I highly recommend setting aside an afternoon here. Without the pressure of a packed schedule, you can take your time walking around and enjoy Hakodate's unique waterfront charm.

Hakodate Port (Tsugaru Strait Ferry Hakodate Terminal)

Hakodate Port has been at the center of Hakodate's development since it opened in 1859 (Ansei 6). As one of the first ports to open in Japan, it has greatly contributed to the development of Hakodate as a tourist city. The dynamic landscape of the deep bay and Mount Hakodate, combined with the modern atmosphere and exotic streetscape of the 19th century, make the area 360-degree photogenic!

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Tourist Attractions

Hakodate has a lot of character. Strolling slowly along the harbor, you can see the red brick warehouses, the port, and historic streetscapes. The strong international atmosphere makes it hard to stop taking pictures.
The best places to shop in the bay area are Bay Hakodate and Kanemori Yobutsukan. They have everything from local gifts and fragrances to sundries and cute little items, as well as a Sapporo Drug Store. You really do end up buying more and more, so it's very convenient if you're looking for Hokkaido souvenirs! Don't miss Hakodate's popular food spots either, such as Lucky Pierrot burgers and Hasegawa Store's yakitori bento. Lucky Pierrot can get pretty crowded, so you may have to wait for a table. As for the taste, that depends on your personal preference!
The Hakodate Bay Area isn't just for sightseeing. You can shop, eat, and buy souvenirs all in one place. It's perfect for spending half a day walking around and browsing at a relaxed pace. If you like retro streetscapes and little shops, you really shouldn't miss this area.

Asahikawa City Museum

The "Asahikawa City Museum" displays materials related to the history, culture, and nature of northern Hokkaido. A distinguishing feature is its rich collection of materials about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Museums

Asahikawa isn't just for shopping and eating ramen. I also highly recommend visiting the museum to learn about a different side of Hokkaido's history and culture.
Although the Asahikawa City Museum isn't very large, with only one floor above ground and one below, it has more to see than expected. On the first floor, you can see scenes of traditional Ainu life and the tools they used, giving you a more concrete understanding of Ainu culture. The basement focuses on Hokkaido's natural environment and settlement history, with many animal specimens and historical artifacts on display. It isn't tiring to walk through and is also a good place to take your time.
It happened to be drizzling the day we visited, which was a little disappointing at first, but then we realized that an indoor attraction like this is perfect for a rainy day. Without having to walk too much, you can learn about Ainu culture, Hokkaido's natural environment, and its settlement history all at once. If it happens to rain while you're in Asahikawa, this is a good backup plan.

Sounkyo Choyotei

Perched on a hill in Sounkyo Onsen and surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery, this inn sits amid towering columnar-jointed cliffs, with a star-filled sky at night. On the top floor, you’ll find the panoramic large public bath “Kurodake” and the open-air “Asahiyama,” where you can take in the canyon through expansive windows or soak outdoors with the ridgeline of Mt. Asahi and the rugged, columnar rock faces right in front of you.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Hotels

I was actually a little nervous before checking in because quite a few of the reviews online weren't very good, so I had already prepared myself for the worst. But once we actually stayed there, I felt it wasn't as bad as the reviews said, and overall, it was fairly acceptable to me.
We stayed in a double room with two twin beds and a large Japanese-style room, so it was quite spacious. The room had heating and air conditioning, as well as extra comforters, so it wouldn't be cold at all if you came in winter.
The unfortunate thing about the room was that the soundproofing was really just average, and we could hear some noise from outside. However, it wasn't enough to affect our sleep.
The restaurant, on the other hand, left a good impression on me! The dining area was very spacious, with tatami mats and wooden tables and chairs, and the seating was quite comfortable. There were plenty of food options and a good variety of ingredients. Most importantly, they offered several kinds of sake to sample for free, so you could enjoy a little drink with your meal. It really felt like staying at a Hokkaido inn.
When you come to Sounkyo, the most important thing is, of course, the hot springs!
Choyotei has both indoor and open-air hot springs. Soaking in the piping-hot water was incredibly relaxing. This is exactly what staying at a hot spring inn in Sounkyo is all about.
Accommodations really come down to personal preference. Online reviews can be useful, but you won't know whether a place suits you until you've stayed there yourself.

Shirogane Blue Pond

The Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei is famous as the top tourist attraction in the area, captivating visitors with its vivid blue. This man-made pond unexpectedly formed when water accumulated behind a dam that was constructed to prevent volcanic mudflows from Mt. Tokachi. The surreal blue of the pond, combined with the surrounding lush nature and dead larch trees, creates an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale.

• Furano and Biei
• Nature Spots

Oh my gosh! The vivid blue before my eyes was so beautiful it left me speechless!! It felt like stepping right into a computer wallpaper, so dreamy it almost didn't seem real.
The clear blue water and reflections of the dead trees created mesmerizing layers of blue in the sunlight. It looked beautiful no matter how I photographed it.
No wonder it's packed with people every day—everyone comes to see the legendary “Blue Pond” with their own eyes.
Although it was absolutely overflowing with visitors that day, the moment I saw the view, I still thought—it was worth it!

Hill of Zerubu & Hill of Atoms

This tourist farm, located on a hill along National Route 237, offers breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s natural beauty, including the Asahidake and Tokachidake mountain ranges. Visitors can enjoy a colorful display of seasonal flower fields, with around 30 different varieties such as 3,000 lavender plants, sunflowers, and poppies, blooming from spring to autumn.

• Furano and Biei
• Tourist Attractions

On the way to Biei, we unexpectedly came across the "Hill of Atoms," surrounded by Hokkaido's natural beauty. The hillside is covered with colorful flowers that change with the seasons, and the wide-open Hokkaido scenery makes it really photogenic.
It's also a free attraction, with free parking and restrooms, so there's no admission fee to worry about. It's definitely worth stopping by for a walk if you're passing through!
It takes about 20 minutes to stroll around the entire grounds, so you don't need to set aside much time to enjoy the fields of flowers and natural scenery. ATV rentals are also available for an additional fee if you want to explore further, but just walking around is honestly enough!
Some areas are only accessible by ATV, but for us, walking along the hillside, taking photos, and enjoying the Hokkaido breeze was already very satisfying.

Miyama Pass Art Park

Located along the national highway at the Miyama Pass, which borders the towns of Kamifurano and Biei, the Miyama Pass Art Park is a playful, multifaceted facility. At the heart of the facility is the Trick Art Museum, which showcases a variety of fascinating trick art pieces that appear to pop out from flat surfaces or change depending on the angle they are viewed from.

• Furano and Biei
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

Coming to Furano, I didn't expect to find the fun-filled Miyama Pass Art Park tucked away amid beautiful views of the Tokachi mountain range!
It's not just a place to enjoy the scenery; it also has a trick art museum, a Ferris wheel, glass etching experiences, and other attractions. Doing these activities surrounded by mountain views creates an unexpected contrast that's pretty interesting!
My favorite part was looking out over the Furano landscape from up high, with the distant mountains and vast scenery all in view. The scenery alone makes it worth visiting.
But I have to say, the attractions here really aren't cheap...
Trick Art Museum: JPY 1,300
Ferris wheel: JPY 600
Glass etching experience: JPY 500
Grilled lamb (Jingisukan): about JPY 1,500
Add drinks, and before you know it, the total comes to over JPY 5,000. It hurt my wallet a little, but overall, I still think it's worth visiting at least once.