Panoramic twilight view of Hakodate, Japan from above, showing the city illuminated with golden lights along the coastline, a calm bay to the left and a curving shoreline to the right, all framed by distant mountains and a fading blue and pink sky.

Hakodate, Japan

Cruises to Hakodate

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Things to do in Hakodate

Hakodate is located on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. Positioned along the southern coast of Hokkaido, the city serves as a gateway to the region and is known for its blend of natural scenery, historic sites, and coastal views.

Hakodate doesn’t try to impress with flash. Instead, it wins you over with quiet confidence — a market humming with local life, a star-shaped fort that rewrote history and a mountaintop view that needs no filter. This isn’t just sightseeing, it’s soul-satisfying travel with a touch of salt in the air.

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  • A colorful bowl of kaisendon, a Japanese seafood rice dish, featuring fresh slices of tuna, salmon, squid, scallop, shrimp and fish roe, garnished with shiso leaves, wasabi and a yellow flower, served on a wooden tray with chopsticks and a black lacquered soup bowl.

    Taste the sea in every bite with a vibrant kaisendon, Hakodate’s ultimate seafood indulgence.

  • The Former Hakodate Public Hall, a striking Western-style building painted blue with yellow trim, stands beneath a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush trees and blooming pink flowers, with steps and railings leading up through a well-kept garden.

    Admire the bold elegance of Hakodate’s Public Hall, where vibrant colors and classic charm meet on the hillside.

  • Aerial view of Fort Goryokaku in Hakodate, Japan, a star-shaped fortress surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom, with moats and green lawns bordered by pink petals, set against a backdrop of urban cityscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

    Marvel at cherry blossom magic from above Fort Goryokaku, where history and spring color collide in star-shaped splendor.

  • A cable car of the Hakodate Ropeway ascends above the cityscape of Hakodate, Japan, offering a sweeping view of densely packed buildings, a curving coastline and the harbor below, with greenery in the foreground and soft afternoon light casting long shadows.

    Ride the Hakodate Ropeway for epic views as the city spills into sea and sky.

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Top attractions and shore excursions in Hakodate

Princess shore excursions help you unlock the real Hakodate — complete with seafood, cityscapes and a little architecture-based time travel.

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  • Fresh scallops, clams and shrimp on display at Hakodate Morning Market with handwritten price tags in Japanese.

    Best of Hakodate

    This all-in-one tour takes you to the city’s headline spots, including the buzzing Morning Market, peaceful Trappistine Convent, pentagon-shaped Goryokaku Fort and the scenic summit of Mt. Hakodate. A ride on the aerial tram and some time at the historic red brick warehouses round out the experience.

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  • A cable car of the Hakodate Ropeway ascends above the cityscape of Hakodate, Japan, offering a sweeping view of densely packed buildings, a curving coastline and the harbor below, with greenery in the foreground and soft afternoon light casting long shadows.

    Mt. Hakodate & Morning Market

    Early risers and city-view chasers will love this half-day excursion. Visit the Morning Market to see what’s fresh (spoiler alert: it’s all fresh), then ascend Mt. Hakodate by ropeway for sweeping city and harbor views. The outing also includes a guided walk through the character-rich Motomachi District.

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  • Aerial view of Fort Goryokaku in Hakodate, Japan, a star-shaped fortress surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom, with moats and green lawns bordered by pink petals, set against a backdrop of urban cityscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

    Fort Goryokaku

    History buffs take note: this tour focuses on Goryokaku Park, Japan’s first Western-style fort and the site of a major 19th-century battle. Climb Goryokaku Tower for a sky-high look at the fort’s unique star-shaped layout before heading back to port. It is especially beautiful in the spring, particularly April and May, as these months are when the cherry blossoms are their brightest. However, summer offers the warmest temperatures.

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  • Goryokaku Tower rises behind cherry blossoms in full bloom against a clear blue sky.

    Easy Hakodate

    Ideal for guests who prefer a panoramic experience without having to break a sweat. Take in views from Mt. Hakodate, then enjoy a relaxing drive through the city’s highlights including Motomachi, Goryokaku Tower and the brick-lined waterfront. Snap a few pictures and savor the city’s laid-back charm.

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  • Onuma Quasi-National Park

    Guided in Japanese: Onuma Quasi-National Park

    Board the bus and drive about 20km to Onuma Quasi-National Park. This park was designated a quasi-national park in 1958 and is characterized by its beautiful scenery formed by the ancient volcanic activity of Mt. Komagatake.

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Experience the Hakodate port on your next cruise

Princess Japan cruise destinations bring you face to face with the country’s many moods — and Hakodate offers one of the most unique. You’ll step off the ship and straight into a place where history feels close and the connection feels even closer. Cruises to Hakodate make discovering Hokkaido easier than ever.

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9-Day Circle Japan

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Onuma national park in autumn and Mount Komagatake (Komagatake volcanic) at Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan.

11-Day Circle Japan with Hakodate Minato Festival

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Night view of Yamahoko float with lanterns and people listening to music in Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan

13-Day Circle Japan with Summer Festivals

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Sail into the heart of Hakodate with Princess

Every corner of Hakodate tells a different story — some about moats and cannons, others starring crab legs and sea urchin. The city’s Western roots, volcanic setting and seafood obsession make it one of the most distinctive stops on any itinerary. Princess cruises to Hakodate connect you to all of it with thoughtfully planned excursions and an onboard experience that’s as flavorful as the port itself. One bite of fresh sashimi or a glimpse from the mountain top, and you’ll see why this city has been attracting foreign visitors for over 170 years.

 

Cruises to Hakodate
Tree-lined street in Hakodate slopes down toward the bay with mountains in the distance.

Take in Hakodate’s iconic slope, where city streets lead straight to sparkling sea views.

Small paper parasols with Japanese writing hang in front of a wooden temple building.

Discover quiet beauty at a Hakodate temple, where tiny parasols carry hopes and prayers in the breeze.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

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Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Hakodate FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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