A trip full of relaxing moments and cultural experiences through the nostalgic sceneries of Hokkaido Arrive at Hakodate Airport and depart from New Chitose Airport

After you arrive at the Hakodate Airport, the southern gateway to Hokkaido, your journey starts right away! The bus from the airport will take you to your first destination, Goryokaku Park. From the observation deck of the Goryokaku Tower, view the beautiful star-shaped, Western-style fort built in the late Edo period.

After lunch, take a streetcar to the Motomachi area. Here, you can see many old Western-style buildings from the mid-1800s, including churches and the former British consulate. Take in the tranquil atmosphere inside a church and enjoy a peaceful moment for a while. The sloping street stretching down towards the port is an iconic sight to check out when you are in Hakodate. After dinner, head for Mt. Hakodate for a magnificent night view. Take a ropeway to the summit, and the shining city lights spreading before you will never fail to amaze you. Stay at an accommodation in the Yunokawa hot spring area and recharge for the next day.

Start your second day a little early in the morning to have a delicious breakfast at a fisherman's market. Walk around and browse in the market full of freshly-caught seafood, and for your breakfast, try Hakodate's famous ika somen—thin strips of squid sashimi, seafood rice bowls, and traditional Japanese meals featuring grilled fish. You can also try squid fishing in the market, which is a popular, exciting activity to experience in Hakodate!

After the enjoyable breakfast, take a train to the Onuma Quasi-National Park, where you can admire Mt. Komagatake from a boat on the lakes. On a calm, sunny day, you can see the beautiful reflection of the mountain in the waters too. Your stay of the day will be in the Noboribetsu hot spring area. Often referred to as a “department store of hot springs,” Noboribetsu offers a rich selection of quality natural hot spring waters to unwind in after a long day of sightseeing.

After the refreshing stay, start your final day by strolling around the famous Noboribetsu hot spring area. Noboribetsu Jigokudani, the source of hot springs in the area, is a 450-meter-diameter explosion crater formed by volcanic activities. You can walk around the explosion crater in about 10 minutes. Enjoy the dynamic, up-close scenery of steam rising from the cracks and streams of hot spring waters.

Say goodbye to the Noboribetsu hot spring area and head for the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, which opened in 2020 in Shiraoi Town. The museum features the history and culture of the Ainu—a people indigenous to Hokkaido, and at the park, you can try your hand at traditional Ainu crafts. The place is full of experiences that you cannot encounter in your everyday life, which is the best part about traveling. In this 3-day itinerary in southern Hokkaido, you can get a closer look at the local history and culture and enjoy quality hot springs.