Romantic Vibes in Hakodate

Posted on December 15, 2024  •  3 minutes  • 575 words  • Other languages:  Korean

After a sunny stay in Sendai, I took the Shinkansen for two and a half hours and arrived in Hakodate, greeted by cloudy skies and a biting, cold sea breeze.
For the first time during my journey across Japan, I felt the chill of winter.

How could this be?
Still, with only a short 1-night, 2-day itinerary in Hakodate, there was no time to lose.
I checked into my hotel and quickly set out, clutching my umbrella tightly.
Having traveled across Japan for 20 days, I was already well-acquainted with unpredictable weather.

My first stop was the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, conveniently located near my hotel.
Stepping inside to escape the rain, I found myself surrounded by beautiful and romantic souvenirs.

The items were so charming that they instantly sparked a desire to shop.
However, having been on an extended journey, I had grown reluctant to buy souvenirs, especially ones that take up a lot of space, so I refrained.

After leaving the warehouse, I climbed Hachiman-Zaka.
This is one of Hakodate’s many slopes, renowned for its stunning view from the top, often featured in movies and dramas.

At the summit, I wasn’t the only tourist braving the weather to admire the view.
Though the clouds were thick, and the scene was far from ideal, I managed to capture some photos and videos before moving on.

Next, I wandered around the area near Mount Hakodate.
Unfortunately, the Mount Hakodate Ropeway was undergoing extended maintenance during my visit, so I couldn’t reach the observation deck.
While there’s also a road to the summit, I decided against walking up as it was a considerable distance, and the drizzle persisted.
Instead, I returned downhill.

By the time I returned to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, night had already fallen.

After exploring a bit more, I stopped by the famous Lucky Pierrot, a must-visit spot in Hakodate.

I tried their signature Chinese Chicken Burger Set, which perfectly suited my taste.
It was a predictable flavor but carried a charm that appealed to universal palates.

When I stepped out, it was only 5:20 PM, yet Hakodate was already cloaked in deep darkness.
With the lights illuminating the warehouse, the romantic and sentimental atmosphere reached its peak.
In that moment, I couldn’t help but realize that my time in Hakodate was coming to an end.
More than that, my entire journey across Japan was gradually nearing its finale.
It was a bittersweet feeling, a mix of longing to stay and a desire to return home.
I also needed to recover from the persistent cold I had been nursing since Kyoto and plan a new trip to Japan with a fresh theme.
At some point, this train journey across Japan became my prelude to future Japanese travels, so the thought of leaving wasn’t unbearably sad.
Instead, it left me with an eagerness to return.

After a night at the hotel, I woke up to find that the gloomy clouds had cleared, revealing a bright blue sky.
Leaving behind my slight worry that it might rain again in Sapporo, I checked out of the hotel and headed to Hakodate Station.

The final train ride of my 21-day JR Pass journey: the Hokuto.
Realizing this was the last trip with my pass made the end of my adventure feel all the more tangible.

I spent nearly four hours on the Hokuto, soaking in and capturing Hokkaido’s scenery with both my eyes and my camera.