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 Hakodate Cruise Terminal pick up
- 9:10 Hakodate Morning Market
- 10:10 Goryokaku Tower
- 11:20 Stroll inside Goryokaku Park
- 12:30 Mount Hakodate
- 13:30 Motomachi stroll
- 14:20 Red Brick Warehouse (lunch)
- 15:10 Hakodate Station front disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Hakodate Morning Market at 9:10, Goryokaku Tower at 10:10, Stroll inside Goryokaku Park at 11:20, Mount Hakodate at 12:30, Motomachi stroll at 13:30, Red Brick Warehouse (lunch) at 14:20 and Hakodate Station front disband at 15:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hakodate Station front to Goryokaku Koen-mae Jujigai by train (600JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.
What Is a Private Hakodate Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The weather was fine, though the wind was fairly strong. The morning market was crowded with passengers from a cruise ship. The guests seemed to have never seen king crab, octopus, squid, sea urchin, or Atka mackerel before, and eagerly took photos of the live ones. The tram stop is located somewhat far from the sightseeing areas, so some walking was required, but fortunately the guests did not mind walking. At first they did not quite grasp what Goryokaku was, but they were amazed when they saw the actual site from the tower. It was a day or two early for the cherry blossoms to bloom, but a few trees had begun to open, which delighted them. They were also moved by the view from Mount Hakodate, and were pleased when I took their photo. We strolled through the Motomachi district, and as I explained its history while walking, they listened attentively. Finally, we stopped by the Red Brick Warehouses for lunch, where I introduced a restaurant. They thoroughly enjoyed sushi made with fresh ingredients and were very satisfied.
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 | Train | Hakodate Station front～Goryokaku Koen-mae Jujigai | 600JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hakodate Morning Market, Goryokaku Tower, Stroll inside Goryokaku Park, Mount Hakodate, Motomachi stroll, Red Brick Warehouse (lunch) and Hakodate Station front disband.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY per person across 1 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!