When visiting Sapporo's bustling Susukino district, one of the most iconic landmarks is the Nikka Whisky sign. This neon sign has been widely recognized since it was installed in 1969 for its “King of Blenders” image, chosen by whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru. After several updates, it has become a signature photo spot in Susukino. Every evening, crowds gather in front of the sign, so you have to act quickly to get the angle you want. Seeing Susukino in falling snow this time made the atmosphere even more romantic.
Starting April 7, 2026, the fifth-generation Nikka man will continue watching over everyone on the street, opening a new chapter for this classic landmark. Next time I visit, I'll definitely stop by for another photo〜
Susukino | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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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.
函館市舊英國領事館同樣位於元町公園一帶，逛完舊函館區公會堂後可以順道安排參觀，周邊景點集中，走起來相當方便。元町一帶的歷史展館也有推出聯合套票，可以一次參觀多個景點，價格上會比較划算。入內後首先會看到禮品販賣部，裡面有許多帶著英國風格、以田園花草為元素的可愛商品，在日本不常見到。
館內展區則可以認識函館與英國領事館的歷史，包含當年領事館的辦公空間、生活場景，以及相關文物展示，透過不同房間的陳設，可以更具體感受到當時的生活氛圍，比原先預期的還有趣呢〜 -
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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.
This time, I chose to travel from Sapporo to Hakodate by Shinkansen. Although the trip takes about 4 hours, I enjoyed sitting back and slowly taking in the scenery outside, seeing the changing views along the way, and embracing the relaxed pace of travel. Bringing along a few small activities is also a good way to pass the time. Origami turned out to be surprisingly useful—we folded paper and chatted, and before we knew it, the time had passed.
After arriving at Hakodate Station, I could immediately feel a different atmosphere from Sapporo as soon as I stepped outside. There were far fewer people, and the streets felt more laid-back, with a strong sense of local everyday life. If you visit around Christmas, you can also see festive Christmas lights along the streets〜 -
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Hakodate Airport
The second largest airport in Hokkaido after New Chitose Airport, it is the gateway to the Donan (southern Hokkaido region). It serves domestic flights to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and three other airports in Hokkaido, as well as international flights to Taipei.
Although Hakodate Airport is much smaller than New Chitose Airport, there are still plenty of unique little shops to explore inside the terminal. Compared with the popular souvenirs commonly found at larger airports, it's easier to discover distinctive local Hakodate products here, including some that may be hard to find elsewhere. It's a good place for some last-minute treasure hunting before your trip ends. Products sold at the airport have likely undergone some level of screening, so their quality and taste are relatively reliable. If you see something you like, I recommend buying it right away! Otherwise, realizing you didn't buy it after returning home is often what you'll regret most.
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