Transportation
Trams
With a well-established network throughout the city, trams are the main transportation mode for sightseeing in Hakodate. Trams run every 6 to 12 minutes during the day and will take you to most of the main tourist spots, including Hakodate Station, Motomachi, the Bay Area, Goryokaku and Yunokawa. Fares cost between 210 to 260 yen, which is paid in cash when alighting.
Hakodate City Tram Pass
Introduction of City Tram 1-Day Pass, City Tram 24-Hour Pass, City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day and 2-Day Combined Pass
City Tram 1-Day Pass
Hakodate's streetcars are a reliable travel companion. This is a convenient pass that allows unlimited rides throughout the day. With the regular tram fare ranging from 210 to 260 yen, it is a great deal if you ride three times or more. Passes can be purchased at various locations, and there are also online passes available, making it very convenient.
City Tram 24-Hour Pass
This pass allows unlimited rides for 24 hours from the time of first use. It is exclusively sold online. Even if you travel for two days, you only need this one pass as long as it is within the 24-hour period!
City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day and 2-Day Combined Pass
This convenient pass allows unlimited rides on both the Hakodate City Tram and designated Hakodate Bus routes, making it ideal for wide-ranging travel around the city center.
Purchase Methods and Prices
Ticket Type | Price | Purchase Method | |
---|---|---|---|
City Tram | 1-Day Tram Pass |
Adult: 600 yen Child: 300 yen |
① Onboard the tram, at the Hakodate Tourist Information Center (inside JR Hakodate Station), at hotel front desks, and at convenience stores. |
② 1-Day Tram Pass from Smartphone | |||
WEB Purchase: Dohna!! | |||
24-Hour Tram Pass |
Adult: 900 yen Child: 450 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! | |
City Tram + Hakodate Bus Combined Pass | City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day Pass |
Adult: 1400 yen Child: 700 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! |
City Tram and Hakodate Bus 2-Day Pass |
Adult: 2400 yen Child: 1200 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! |
※ Prices are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Transportation IC cards commonly used throughout Japan
IC cards commonly used for transportation in Japan is valid for Hakodate Trams and Hakodate Buses. Suica and PASMO charged in Tokyo, Kitaca charged in Sapporo is usable for Hakodate Trams and Hakodate Buses. Conversely, Hakodate’s ICAS nimoca also is valid throughout Japan for your convenience.
Buses
Buses are another convenient mode of transportation, offering direct access to the various tourist spots. There is a bus information kiosk located in front of Hakodate Station where you can check on the best bus route for your destination, bus departure times, and bus fares. A shuttle bus departing from Hakodate Station will take you to Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, the Goryokaku Tower, and the Trappistine Convent. The “Motomachi & Bay-area Shuyu-go” bus, which operates on a continuous loop between Hakodate Station and the Bay Area/Motomachi, is another convenient option.
- Hakodate Bus Co.,Ltd.(Hokkaido Travel Net 悠悠北海道)
- Bus Location System (Hakodate Bus) Search By Bus Stop Name,Map,Route List, or Landmarks
Hakodate Bus Pass
Introduction of Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" Unlimited Ride 1-Day Pass, Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" 24-Hour Pass, City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day and 2-Day Combined Pass
Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" Unlimited Ride 1-Day Pass
Price: 1200 yen (adult). Regular fare starts at 250 yen, so it's cost-effective if you ride four times or more.
Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" 24-Hour Pass
Unlimited rides for 24 hours from the start of use. Even if you travel for two days, you only need this one pass as long as it is within the 24-hour period!
City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day and 2-Day Combined Pass
A convenient pass for wide-ranging travel in the central part of Hakodate city, offering unlimited rides on both Hakodate City Tram and Hakodate Bus within specified locations.
Purchase Methods and Prices
Ticket Type | Price | Purchase Method | |
---|---|---|---|
Bus | Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" Unlimited Ride 1-Day Pass |
Adult: 1200 yen Child: 600 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! |
Hakodate Bus "KANPASS" 24-Hour Pass |
Adult: 2100 yen Child: 1050 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! | |
City Tram + Hakodate Bus Combined Pass | City Tram and Hakodate Bus 1-Day Pass |
Adult: 1400 yen Child: 700 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! |
City Tram and Hakodate Bus 2-Day Pass |
Adult: 2400 yen Child: 1200 yen |
WEB Ticket: Dohna!! |
※ Prices are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Jump on the Airport—City Shuttle Bus
IC cards commonly used for transportation in Japan is valid for Hakodate Trams and Hakodate Buses. Suica and PASMO charged in Tokyo, Kitaca charged in Sapporo is usable for Hakodate Trams and Hakodate Buses. Conversely, Hakodate’s ICAS nimoca also is valid throughout Japan for your convenience.
Railways
The final stop of the Shinkansen, “Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto” Station and Hakodate Station are connected shuttle train service “Hakodate Liner” that is approximately a 20-minute ride. It costs 440 yen for one-way. The shuttle is conveniently operated based on the schedule of the Shinkansen.
Although there's a "Goryokaku" Station on the way, Goryokaku Park is far from the station. Please go all the way to Hakodate Station, and then use a tram or a shuttle bus.
Local railway line with great view “Donan Isaribi Railway”
Donan Isaribi Railway (South Hokkaido Railway) is a local line that connects Hakodate Station and “Kikonai” Station, which is the next Shinkansen station, in 1 hour. There’s a scenic spot along the way where you can enjoy the ocean spread out right in front of you and it is popular. If you are lucky, you’ll be riding in colorfully painted special cars.
Ropeway(Cable Car)
Mt. Hakodate Ropeway connects Sanroku (Mountain Base) and Sancho Tenbodai (Summit Observation Deck) in 3 minutes with large gondolas that accompany 125 people. Please note that in autumn the cable car operation is suspended for about 10 days due to a periodic inspection.
Rental Bycicles
Rental bicycles are a pleasant alternative for exploring Motomachi, the Bay Area, and the Goryokaku. “Hakorin” power-assisted bicycles are particularly recommended for traversing the Motomachi area. You won’t have any trouble climbing those formidable sloping streets with one of these bikes. The bicycles are only available when there is no snow on the ground (mid-April to early November).
There are rental locations around the city.
Hakorin bicycles can be rented from Kiralis Hakodate in front of Hakodate Station. Regular bicycles can also be rented from BAY HAKODATE in the Bay Area. In addition, some hotels have their own bicycles for rent.
Rental Cars
Renting a car and taking a drive to the outskirts of Hakodate is a lovely way to experience Hakodate from spring through autumn. You’ll find dozens of rent-a-car kiosks at JR Hakodate Station and Hakodate Airport.
Taxis
There is never a shortage of taxis outside Hakodate Station and Hakodate Airport, so you won’t have any trouble jumping into one when you need to. The base (minimum) fare when traveling within a range of 1.4 km is 560 yen for a small car and 580 yen for a medium-sized car. You can also charter a taxi for a set rate to take you around the tourist spots of your choice. You’ll be looking at around 16,000 yen to charter a small car for 3 hours.