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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 9:00 Meet at the Hotel Hakodate Ekimae Walk to the Hakodate Morning Market
  • 9:45 Take a taxi to Goryokaku Park Board the tower Tour the Hakodate Magistrate's Office Stroll around the park
  • 11:50 Return to Hakodate Station by direct bus
  • 12:15 Take a taxi to the Mount Hakodate Ropeway Lunch at the summit restaurant
  • 13:45 Descend the mountain. Stroll around the Motomachi district (Enter the Catholic church; only the exterior of the Russian church as it is closed during winter)
  • 14:40 Red Brick Warehouses Introduction of major shops, etc.
  • 15:05 Tour ends

Title: What's a Private Winter Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

It was a day with occasional snow flurries. I had proposed two possible itineraries via a messaging app before the tour, and since some blue sky appeared, the guests chose to have lunch on Mount Hakodate. This only requires adding 200 yen to the round-trip ropeway fare, which feels like a very good deal. Unfortunately, it clouded over after lunch, so we were not able to enjoy the magnificent view very much.

The guests said they would like to visit Hokkaido again in summer or autumn, and they became quite interested in Hokkaido.

The guests had visited Japan several times to ski and had happened to become acquainted at the Hakuba ski resort. They wanted not only to ski but also to visit various sightseeing spots around Japan and learn more. They also had a strong interest in the Japanese language, and were pleased with the handout of basic Japanese conversation phrases. Walking was no problem at all, so we were able to move through the itinerary smoothly. They also seemed interested in Japanese history, which made explaining things rewarding.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusHigashiyama Koen-mae~Hakodate Station560JPY
Total560JPY

Hello, my name is Keiko Ichinei. I was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Hakodate is located in the southernmost in Hokkaido, so compared with Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Hakodate is not so cold or hot all through the year, very moderate climate and comfortable to live in.

Hakodate has been chosen one of the three most popular destinations for travelers in Japan, including Kyoto and Sapporo. A few years ago Hakodate was chosen number one for three years consecutively. Why don’t you come to Hakodate and find why Hakodate is so popular?
My family consists of four: husband, daughter and son. My husband is an alpine photographer and is a curator of his own photo museum. His museum is not in Hakodate but in Asahikawa city, 400 km away from Hakodate. The museum opens on May 1 and closes at the end of October, because it’s too cold there in winter time. That means we live separately for 6 months every year. We enjoy this kind of life style, because, you know, “A mouse will have to play when a cat is away !”
I have five grandchildren. My two kids and all my grandchildren are so gentle and kind and always support me, to my thanks.

I used to be an English teacher at a junior-senior high school for about 24 years while working as an interpreter and a tour guide sometimes. I love kids, flowers and dogs. However, I wanted to be a “through guide”, who accompanies the clients for a few weeks traveling all the way together with them. Consequently, I quit being a teacher in 2015 and decided to focus on guiding since then.
As an interpreter, I have experienced in a wide range of fields, including interpretation for VIPs and seminars, facility and factory tours, and medical interpretation at hospitals.

I believe that my job is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so my priority is to create as many happy memories as possible. I will do my best to make sure that you return home fully satisfied and with a smile on your face

Apr 20, 2026
Gail_H
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Great private tour of Hakodate!
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Hakodate
Our guide tour in Hakodate keiko was great. Very knowledgeable of…

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Edward_P
Great full day
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monika_everywhere
Beautiful – even on a rainy day
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