Hokkaido in One Day: Hakodate 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
- 9:00 cruise terminal pick up
- 9:10 Hakodate Morning Market
- 10:10 Goryokaku Tower
- 11:10 Hakodate Magistrate's Office
- 12:50 Motomachi Church Group, Hachimanzaka Slope
- 14:00 Red Brick Warehouses
- 14:30 Hakodate Station Front, Dismissal
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at cruise terminal pick up and ended at 14:30. The day ran to 5 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hakodate Morning Market at 9:10, Goryokaku Tower at 10:10, Hakodate Magistrate's Office at 11:10, Motomachi Church Group, Hachimanzaka Slope at 12:50 and Red Brick Warehouses at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hakodate Station Front to Goryokaku Koen-mae (270JPY); Goryokaku Koen-mae to Jujigai (290JPY); Jujigai to Hakodate Station Front (250JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 810JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Hakodate Tour from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Part of the group had been referred by a friend whom I had previously guided in Hakodate, and I was delighted to hear that they hired me based on that friend's recommendation.
As expected, the ropeway was closed due to strong winds, so I focused the tour on the morning market, Goryokaku Park, and a walk through the Motomachi district.
Some of the guests did not enter the Catholic Church or the Russian Orthodox Church in Motomachi. One of the guests was not fond of the smell of fish and did not go into the morning market. They were very interested in history and asked many questions, which I greatly enjoyed. When asked when firearms were first brought into Japan, I answered "1543" without hesitation. They had to be back on the ship by 3:00 without fail, but they were pleased that we were still able to visit the Red Brick Warehouses. Since they seemed tired from all the walking, we took a short rest at Goryokaku.
A notable stop on the tour was Goryokaku Park in Hakodate. Goryokaku is a star-shaped fortress built in the late Edo period, and it was the first Western-style fortification of its kind in Japan. Today it is a popular park known for its distinctive geometric shape, which is best appreciated from the nearby observation tower, and it is especially famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. The site also played a significant role in the Boshin War, making it an important historical landmark that offers visitors both natural beauty and a window into Japan's period of modernization.
Click here for more details: Hakodate Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Hakodate Station Front～Goryokaku Koen-mae | 270JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Goryokaku Koen-mae～Jujigai | 290JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Jujigai～Hakodate Station Front | 250JPY |
| Total | 810JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hokkaido tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at cruise terminal pick up at 9:00, and the tour finished at Hakodate Station Front at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hakodate Morning Market, Goryokaku Tower, Hakodate Magistrate's Office, Motomachi Church Group, Hachimanzaka Slope and Red Brick Warehouses.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 810JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Akira is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Hokkaido itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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!