City guide · 函館 Hakodate
Hakodate
One of Japan's first open ports: Western-style slopes, a star fort and a million-dollar night view
Hakodate is small but rich: Western churches on the slopes of Motomachi, the star-shaped fort of Goryōkaku, seafood at the morning market and the night view from Mount Hakodate.
History
Los orígenes de la ciudad
After the Japan–US Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in 1854, Hakodate became one of the first Japanese ports opened to foreign ships; it opened fully to foreign trade in 1859 and was once the most important port in northern Japan. After the fall of the shogunate, former shogunate forces made Goryōkaku their stronghold and fought the last battle of the Boshin War here in 1869.
- 1854Opened to American ships under the Japan–US Treaty of Peace and Amity
- 1859Opened fully to foreign trade as one of five open ports
- 1866Goryōkaku was completed
- 1869Battle of Hakodate; the Boshin War ended
Stories
Historias de la ciudad
Historia · Goryōkaku, Hakodate
The last samurai battle
After the fall of the Edo shogunate, former shogunate forces set up the short-lived 'Republic of Ezo' centred on Goryōkaku. In 1869 the new government's army and the republic fought a final week-long battle here, ending the Boshin War. Hijikata Toshizō, vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, was killed in this battle, and a statue of him still stands in Goryōkaku Tower.
People
Personajes vinculados a Hakodate
Before you go
Normas que debe conocer en Hakodate
Take off your shoes when you see a genkan (entrance step)
- Take off your shoes at the entrance of homes, some restaurants, temples and hot-spring facilities
- If unsure, look for a shoe rack or slippers at the entrance
- Stepping onto tatami or indoor wooden floors in shoes
It is seen as very rude.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: Japanese etiquette
No phone calls on trains and the shinkansen; queue to board
- Put your phone on silent; on the shinkansen, take calls in the area between carriages
- Queue at the marked spots on either side of the train door, and let people off before you get on
- Give priority seats to older people, pregnant women and passengers with limited mobility
- Talking on the phone or playing sound aloud in the train
Not illegal, but you will get looks and a reminder from the conductor.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: Japanese etiquette
If you have tattoos, check the rules before using a hot spring
- Before you go, email the facility to ask about its rules
- Small to medium tattoos can be covered with skin-coloured patches (some onsen sell them)
- Choose a tattoo-friendly onsen, or book a private bath (kashikiri-buro) in advance
- Ignoring 'no tattoos' signs and getting in anyway
Most onsen do not allow guests with tattoos to bathe, but rules vary by facility and are often more relaxed for foreign visitors.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: tattoo rules and etiquette at onsen
Wash your body thoroughly before getting into a hot spring
- Before getting in, sit on the small stool in the washing area and wash your whole body with the shower or a bucket, leaving no soap
- Leave your small towel at the edge of the bath or fold it on your head
- Getting into the bath without rinsing first
- Dipping your towel in the bath water
- Leaving a used towel in the washing area
Not illegal, but other guests and the staff will see it as very rude. Most onsen require you to be fully naked in the bathing area.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: a beginner's guide to onsen
There is no tipping in Japan
- Say thank you with 'arigatō gozaimashita'
- Pressing loose change on staff
Japan is a no-tipping country and bills usually include service; if you press a tip on staff, some will politely refuse.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: Japanese table manners
An izakaya's otoshi is a cover charge
- Accept the otoshi as an appetiser
- Arguing with staff about it or asking for it to be taken back
There is no penalty: before you order at an izakaya, a small dish of otoshi always arrives. It doubles as the cover charge and cannot be chosen or swapped.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: drinking in Japan