Hakodate is a historic port city in Hokkaido that’s directly across the Tsugaru Strait from Aomori. It’s a city that is semi-accessible in the warm months and presents its own sort of challenges in the winter months. I visited Hakodate last year in December and I thought it was a really unique city with lots to offer. Here are my tips for your visit to Hakodate in winter months.
Stay warm
It can get really cold in the winter. Be sure to pack warm, especially if you have issues in the cold. It can also get windy near the station and that can make the cold even worse.
If you get too cold, I would recommend going to cafes, restaurants or museums to warm up. The city has a lot of cafes around and one wouldn’t be too far from anywhere in the city.
Trolleys can be full!
Trolleys and buses are the main forms of public transportation. And a lot of the time when I traveled on them, the trolleys were full. I found it hard to get a seat. If you need a seat, it’s best to avoid rush hour if you can and travel in the less busy times.
Trolley Tips
Trolley stations usually only have a platform and not a lot more. There is no toilet and some stations don’t even have benches. Depending on the trolley you want to take, you might be waiting for a bit without anywhere to rest. Stations can be in the middle of the road so it’s a bit confusing on where to go, but the trolleys travel in the same direction as traffic.
Be prepared to wait
Some of the buses and trolleys are not accessible. There are accessible trolleys and buses but you might be waiting for a bit to get on one of them. There are only a few accessible trolleys and they are not always the first ones you will get on. [Note: Look for the “Low-Floor” or “Tsubame” icon on the trolley timetables or digital displays; only these specific ones are accessible.]
Watch out for weather changes in the winter months
The weather can change rapidly, especially in winter. When I went in December, it changed overnight. I was caught in a snowstorm and the accessibility options of the city were completely different. Watch out for and be aware of these changes if you decide to go.
Look out for hills
The city gets more hilly the closer to Hakodate mountain. Some of the popular tourist destinations, like the old hall and British consulate are located on the hill without a nearby bus or trolley stop at the top. Some readers might have trouble going up the hill and it’s important to double check if the location is on a hill and if it has a nearby bus stop. [Note: Hachiman-zaka is the most famous hill for photos, but it is very steep and becomes dangerously slippery for wheelchairs when it’s icy.]
Best ways to get to Hakodate
There are two ways to get to hakodate, and both have their positives and negatives. You can get there from the airport. To get to and from the airport, you have limited options. There is no trolley to the airport, you can only get through from taxi, bus or car. There is an express bus, The Teisan Airport Bus, however this bus is not accessible. There is no accessible entrance to the bus, only big steps. I would advise taking a taxi or an accessible local bus (route 96 is a non-step bus) to and from the airport. The other option is from the shinkansen. Shin-hakodate is about 30 minutes from Hakodate station and trains are not very common. The building has accessible toilets and waiting rooms.
Have fun!
Go out and explore Hakodate. There’s a lot of cool areas and sights to see around the city. It’s also super fun to just walk around and take it in. Enjoy exploring and take your time doing so. Hakodate is a super unique city. It’s very underrated and one I’m glad I was able to visit and explore. This place is definitely worth it to take a trip to.
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