Hokkaido in One Day: Morning Market — Guide Akira
September, 2026
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:40 Morning Market
- 10:30 Goryokaku Tower
- 11:30 Goryokaku Park
- 13:15 Mount Hakodate
- 14:10 Ramen Ajisai (Lunch)
- 15:00 Red Brick Warehouse
- 15:20 Cruise Terminal Dismissal
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Morning Market at 9:40, Goryokaku Tower at 10:30, Goryokaku Park at 11:30, Mount Hakodate at 13:15, Ramen Ajisai (Lunch) at 14:10 and Red Brick Warehouse at 15:00.
Title: What Is a Private Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests did not appear at the meeting time in the morning, so after 9:10 I called the phone number listed on the Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) page. The one who answered was an agent from a travel agency abroad. I explained the situation, but the explanation was unclear, as if they were going to search but might not. Since it was not going anywhere, I sent an email to the Japan Guide Agency email address. I thought it might be a no show, so I walked around the terminal holding a banner with the guests' name on it. There was someone who seemed to be looking at me, so I asked, and it turned out to be the guests. I had arrived 30 minutes early and had been holding the banner, but they had not noticed. They had also been sitting and waiting for a long time. I had assumed they would come from the immigration side, so I had not paid much attention to the people sitting in the chairs. We were 30 minutes late, but I was glad we finally met. We decided to go to the morning market, Goryokaku, and Mount Hakodate. Since one of the guests had just had knee surgery, we used a taxi for all transportation. They were soft-spoken and gracious, and they shared a lot about their life before retirement and about their family. They asked me many questions about the history of Hakodate, which made me very happy.
Click here for more details: Hakodate Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hello, my name is Akira Matsumoto, a national government-licensed guide in Hakodate and Sapporo. I’m a retired public school science teacher and have been working as a professional tour guide for more than five years. (Before retirement, I used to work as a volunteer guide mainly in Hakodate for more than 10 years) So I know every corner of Hakodate and its history, culture, and food.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got into the graduate school of Hokkaido University, and in Japan’s modern history.
So I am well-versed in Japanese history, Hokkaido’s local history, and the Ainu aborigine people’s culture.
I can offer you an informative and enjoyable tour with a polite and hospitable atmosphere.
I like to interact and communicate with foreign people and introduce my guests to Japan’s beautiful scenery, wonderful culture,
and best food. I assure you that I will welcome you with my best hospitality and make every effort to make your tour a good memory.
May 22, 2026
Leanne S
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Cruise port must
Akira was our tour guide and was great.…
May 22, 2026
Leanne S
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Cruise port must
Akira was our tour guide and was great. We went to all the stops and he was flexible with us if wanted to take a taxi or stop and eat. I would recommend this tour, especially if you are stopping at a cruise port. He had lots of knowledge and you saw a lot in a small amount of time.
May 7, 2026
Narayanan_V
Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Akira san is a wonderful…
Akira san is a wonderful guide. Very…
May 7, 2026
Narayanan_V
Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Akira san is a wonderful…
Akira san is a wonderful guide. Very informative. He accomodated our requests to see a
shinto temple, Sake factory etc. Akira san shared information about the Meiji revolution
which was interesting. Thank you Akira san
May 1, 2026
Maria R
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best of Hakodate
Akira was a very knowledgeable guide who showed…
May 1, 2026
Maria R
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best of Hakodate
Akira was a very knowledgeable guide who showed us the best and most interesting sights
of Hakodate. We learned a lot about Hakodate and Japanese history from him.
Feb 18, 2026
Danielle_S
An insider’s tour of Otaru
Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
My guide Akira was knowledgeable, kind, patient,…
Feb 18, 2026
Danielle_S
An insider’s tour of Otaru
Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
My guide Akira was knowledgeable, kind, patient, and understanding. He didn’t talk too much; rather, he let me ask questions so that he only spoke on topics of interest to me. He also allowed me to set the pace, and we covered a lot of ground in six hours, from the fish market to Mt. Tengu to a coffeehouse to even the Don Quijote discount store (at my request). Being a first-time visitor to Japan and Otaru, I could have never figured out how to manage the logistics and cover so much ground so efficiently. He coordinated bus travel and translated for me at shops. He was very conversant in Enlish on a number of subjects ranging from history to movies. A memorable day with a truly expert guide!