Silversea Luxury Cruises A HAKODATE (Hokkaido)

Discover the local lifestyle, culture and history of Hakodate during this scenic, half-day orientation tour of the city.

Hakodate Morning Market

Depart the pier for the brief walk to the Hakodate Morning Market. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through this bustling market, which is engulfed by cars and people from the time the 400 stalls open at 5 a.m. Discover an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, including squid, salmon eggs, sea urchins and the hairy crabs for which Hokkaido is famous. The market also offers fresh, locally-grown vegetables, along with flowers and household goods.

Goryokaku Park and Tower

Next, board your coach and drive to Goryokaku Park. The park is home to the remaining walls of Japan's first Western-style fort. The fort is named Goryokaku, or 'Pentagon Fort' due to its star shape. Nothing is left of the citadel, which was constructed by the Togukawa Shogunate to defend Japan against the threats from the north. During your visit, you can ride the elevator up to the Observation Deck of the 351-foot-tall (107-metre-tall) tower at the park entrance, and take in splendid views of the park, fort, Mt. Hakodate and the downtown area.

Mount Hakodate

Leaving Hakodate Morning Market, your drive proceeds up to the Mount Hakodate Overlook, or 'Hakodateyama'. Upon arrival, take one way only the Hakodate Ropeway (cable car) up to the all-weather observatory at the 1,100-foot (335-metre) summit, which offers panoramic views over the surrounding area (weather permitting).

Following your visit, re-board your coach for the approximate 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore the picturesque beauty and landmarks of Hakodate during this full-day sightseeing excursion to the city and its environs.

Goryokaku Park and Hakodate Magistrate's Office

Depart the pier for the brief drive to the Goryokaku Park. The park is home to the remaining walls of Japan's first Western-style fort. The fort is named Goryokaku or 'Pentagon Fort' due to its star shape. Nothing is left of the citadel, which was constructed by the Togukawa Shogunate to defend Japan and the Magistrate's office against the threats from the north. At Goryokaku Tower, guests will ride the elevator up to the Observation Deck of the 351 foot tall (107 metre tall) tower at the park entrance, and take in splendid views of the park, fort, Mt. Hakodate and the downtown area. Enjoy a stroll through the park to the Hakodate Magistrate's Office, which provides a stunning example of traditional Samurai (Edo) architecture.

Hakodate Morning Market and Lunch

Next, re-board your coach and drive to the Hakodate Morning Market. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through this bustling market, which is engulfed by cars and people from the time the 400 stalls open at 5 a.m. Discover an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, including squid, salmon eggs, sea urchins and the hairy crabs for which Hokkaido is famous. The garden also offers fresh, locally-grown vegetables, along with flowers and household goods. Lunch at the local hotel (Western style set menu).

After lunch, re-board your coach and drive to the Mount Hakodate Overlook, or 'Hakodateyama'.

Mount Hakodate Overlook

Your tour continues with a drive to the Mount Hakodate Overlook or 'Hakodateyama'. Upon arrival, take one way only the Hakodate Ropeway (cable car) up to the all-weather observatory at the 1,100-foot (335-metre) summit, which offers panoramic views over the surrounding area (weather permits).

Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse

Following your visit at Mt. Hakodate, re-board your coach and drive down to the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse area. Remodelled in 1988 as part of the redevelopment of Hakodate's waterfront, this area's old, red-brick warehouses have been converted into bars and restaurants.

Your tour concludes with an approximate 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Take a journey through Northern Japan's epic past during this scenic and informative half-day museum tour of Hakodate, with a visit to Mount Hakodate and the waterfront red brick warehouse district.

Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

Depart the pier for the morning drive into Hakodate and the Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples, which is located in an old bank building on the Motoi-zaka slope leading away from the consulate. During your visit, you view exhibits of valuable tools and ethnological materials that were collected over many years by Professors Osamu Baba and Sakuzaemon Kodama, and used by the Ainu people in their daily life. Learn about the people across Eastern Siberia and the Alaskan Islands.

Mount Hakodate

Next, your drive proceeds up to the Mount Hakodate Overlook, or 'Hakodateyama'. Reaching the summit with the Hakodate Ropeway(cable car), arrive at the observatory at 1,100 feet (335 metres) for panoramic views over the surrounding area. After admiring the vista, drive back to downtown Hakodate to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse district.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Area

This waterfront area was once the site of shipyards and foreign settlements and since about 1879, it prospered as a warehouse zone. The original buildings were destroyed by fire but were rebuilt in 1909. The Kanemori logo on these buildings once symbolized the trade-port of Hakodate. Re-modeled in 1988 as part of a waterfront area redevelopment with a theme of 'the old and the new', these buildings house shops, restaurants, galleries and meeting areas, while still offering a glimpse into Hakodate's golden age of shipping.

Following some free time to explore, re-board your coach for the return drive to the pier.

Discover the beauty, culture and charm of Hakodate on-foot during this delightful, half-day walking tour through this historic city.

Hakodate Morning Market

Depart the pier for the brief walk to Hakodate Station. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through the bustling Hakodate Morning Market, which is engulfed by cars and people from the time the 400 stalls open at 5 a.m. Discover an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, including squid, salmon eggs, sea urchins and the hairy crabs for which Hokkaido is famous. The garden also offers fresh, locally-grown vegetables, along with flowers and household goods.

Motomachi District and Churches

Next, board a tram at the Hakodate-ekimae Tram Station for the short ride to Jujigai Station. Upon arrival, walk up the inclined streets of the Motomachi District. Along the way, see historic churches such as the Gothic-style Motomachi Roman Catholic Church, famous for the altar presented to it by Pope Benedict XV. The view from atop the hill is stunning, and reflects the contrast between the hill, churches and shoreline.

Mount Hakodate and Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Your tour continues with a Hakodate Ropeway cable car-ride up to the all-weather observatory at the 1,100-foot (335-metre) summit, which offers spectacular panoramic vistas over the surrounding area (weather permitting). Afterward the cable car down, your walking tour continues on-foot to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. Remodelled in 1988 as part of the redevelopment of Hakodate's waterfront, this area's old, red-brick warehouses have been converted into bars and restaurants. Some free time is made available here for shopping and exploration before returning to the Jujigai Station for the tram-ride to the Hakodate-mae Station. Upon arrival, commence the approximately 10-minute walking back to the pier.

Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of Hakodate during this invigorating walking tour at Onuma National Park.

Onuma National Park

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximate one-hour drive to Onuma National Park, which is renowned for its picturesque, island-dotted lakes and dormant volcano, Mount Komaga-take. At approximately 3,937 feet (about1,200 metres), Mount Komaga-take is a prominent feature of the landscape in this part of southern Hokkaido.

Thanks to a temperate climate and a combination of heavy rainfall and melting snow, the area is a paradise for bird-life and boasts an abundance of diverse vegetation. The park's most attractive area is located between the two lakes, Onuma and Konuma (large and small lakes), which are explored on foot during your 1.5-2-hour guided nature walking tour.

The walking trails meander between the lakes' peninsulas and islands, several of which are connected by small bridges. Your guide serves as a translator for the Japanese-speaking nature guide.

Following your walking tour, re-board your coach for the approximate one-hour drive back to the pier.

Embrace the picturesque beauty and flavours of the 'Gateway to Hokkaido' during this half-day excursion to Mount Hakodate with a traditional sushi lunch.

Tuna Demonstration and Sushi Lunch

Depart the pier for a smooth drive to downtown Hakodate and visit a 'kaiten-zushi' restaurant. The restaurant offers sushi dishes to its diners on a conveyor belt. Guests can freely pick the dishes they like as they pass in front of them, or order dishes that are not available on the conveyor belt. Usually, the number of plates is counted to determine the cost at the end of the meal. These are the way how the Kaiten-zushi restaurant works. For this special arrangement, you are offered to pick up (or order) any dishes as much as you want. Also, you will observe a demonstration of how fresh tuna is 'broken up' and sit down to a sushi lunch. This freshly 'broken up' tuna is also available for you to order.

Lunch will be at approx, 11am so it is suggested to have a light breakfast.

Mount Hakodate

After lunch, re-board your coach for the scenic, approximate 30-minute drive up to the Mount Hakodate Overlook, or 'Hakodateyama'. Upon arrival, take the Hakodate Ropeway (cable car) up to the all-weather observatory at the 1,100-foot (335-metre) summit, which offers panoramic views over the surrounding area (weather permits). Following your visit, re-board your coach for an approximate 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore Hakodate at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Hakodate at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Hakodate at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Hakodate at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.