Hokkaido Day 1 (Wednesday) - Hakodate

It's been 7 years since our last visit to Hokkaido and we were finally back to the island in September!

We managed to secure a rather cheap flights tickets with Air Asia X, at RM690.00 return and it's too good of a deal for us to pass so we made arrangement for a short trip there in September for our birthday treat and celebration.

We took a night flight and arrived in the morning.

First order of business (since the JR office wasn't open yet at 8.30am) was looking for stamps. Hubby had been collecting stamps at airports, train station and local attractions for many years now and was happy to add new ones to his collection.

We were going to travel using train extensively and planned to visit Hakodate, Sapporo, Asahikawa and Abashiri so we opted to buy the 5-days Hokkaido Rail Pass at 22,000yen per pass.

Our scheduled train was at around 9.00am so we decided to buy ekiben and ate our breakfast in the train while travelling from Minami-Chitose station to Hakodate. 

The train journey took about 3 hours.

This ticket holder at the back of the seat is super convenient. We just put our reserved seat tickets there and the train conductor won't need to wake us up when he/she comes by to check on our tickets if we fell asleep.

We arrived just in time for lunch and bought this ika-meshi ekiben. Hakodate is famous for its squid after all.

It was 1km to get to our hotel from Hakodate station. We decided to take the tram instead of just walking there.

We planned to use the tram a few more times during the day so we opted to buy the 1-day pass at 600yen per pass.

Pass can be bought from the tram conductor as we alight the tram. Usage is pretty much like a parking ticket lah. Gores tarikh dan tahun.

It was still early for us to check-in to our hotel so we walked around the nearby area, passing through this Red Brick Warehouse and watched boats docked by the port.

Then we walked to a nearby park, which is on a small island, called Green Island park. I wanted to see whether I could do a morning run there but the park opens late so it was a no go for me.

After check-in and a bit of rest, we decided to head to Mount Hakodate.

But instead of using the ropeway (cable car) or taking the bus, we chose to hike up the mountain.

The hike up took only 50 minutes from the trailhead and halfway through the hike, we could already see the gorgeous Hakodate landscape.

There are a few trail route options but we chose the easiest and most straightforward one.

The famous Hakodate scenery which can be viewed from the top of Mount Hakodate. As dusk approached, tourists came flocking to the observatory to view this famous scenery at night.

We didn't wait until it was dark as we planned to hike down again. We came prepared with our Black Diamond head lamp after all so although it was pitch black by 6.00pm, it was not a problem for us.

As a treat after the hike, we took the tram to Yachigashira and spent some time soaking in hot spring bath at the sento (public bath house) there.

Entry was 420 yen per adult but you have to bring your own toiletries and towels (or rent/buy there).

But of course, we came prepared with our own onsen towel and stuff.

We had our dinner there after soaking for about 30 minutes.

We shared a bowl of kani and kakiage doburi set.

and also a bowl of soba with fried crab legs.

Plus of course, after a soak, drinking milk is must. 

Yachigashira station is located at the end of the tram line. After finishing our onsen soak, we took the tram again and head to the other end of the tram line, to Yunokawa Onsen.

There is a footbath located nearby Yunokawa station and we managed to soak after feet there. But head early because the free foot bath facility closes at 9.00pm.

Our first day in Hokkaido was great and the weather was good to us too.

We certainly had fun and I slept well that night.

Next post will be on our second day. Stay tuned.