Hakodate right now

2026/08/25

Castle · Hokkaido

Goryokaku

Japan's first Western-style fortress, this five-pointed star fort was completed in 1866 and witnessed the final battle of the Boshin War.

Hakodate

Weather

Hakodate25°
Sapporo22°
Otaru21°
Noboribetsu23°
Shiraoi23°

04:5518:22Hakodate

Yen

1 US Dollar¥159.2
1 Euro¥185.5
1 Singapore Dollar¥125.3
1 Australian Dollar¥113.9

Reference rates · 2026/08/24

Quick poll

Castle

Goryokaku

Japan's first Western-style fortress, this five-pointed star fort was completed in 1866 and witnessed the final battle of the Boshin War.

Hakodate · Hokkaido

Firework

Doshin Autumn Fireworks

Fireworks synchronized with live orchestral music and traditional dance create an immersive experience within intimate proximity of spectators.

21 Sep 2026Sapporo · Hokkaido

Exhibition

Fullmetal Alchemist × Daemons of the Shadow Realm Exhibition — Sapporo

More than 300 original artworks and sketches from both of Arakawa Hiromu's major series, at Daimaru Sapporo from 14 October to 1 November.

14 Oct – 1 Nov 2026Sapporo · Hokkaido

Music

Monster Hunter Orchestra Concert ~Hunting Music Festival 2026~

Video game music from the Monster Hunter series receives live orchestral treatment by the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra in this touring concert series.

9 Nov 2026Sapporo · Hokkaido

Festival

The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow and ice sculptures crafted by the Japan Self-Defense Force and local artists fill three Sapporo sites for Japan's most celebrated winter festival.

4–11 Feb 2027Sapporo · Hokkaido

Entertainment

SNOW MIKU 2027

SNOW MIKU 2027 is an annual winter festival celebrating Hokkaido with exhibitions, live performances, and a creators' market, themed around 'Happiness Pâtisserie.'

6–15 Feb 2027Otaru · Hokkaido

Illumination

Otaru Snow Light Path

A winter festival illuminates Otaru's snow-covered streets, canal, and historic sites with handcrafted candles and lanterns created by the community since 1999.

7–14 Feb 2027Otaru · Hokkaido

Food Fair

Otaru Umeshu Festival

An annual festival celebrates umeshu through tastings of classic and innovative plum wine blends alongside local plum-based foods, held at two dedicated Otaru brewing venues.

17 Apr – 6 May 2027Otaru · Hokkaido

Sport & Competition

Hokkaido Dirt Special in Sunagawa

High-speed dirt racing event featuring various colorful vehicles navigating sharp turns on a thrilling track in Hokkaido.

23–24 May 2027Sunagawa · Hokkaido

Festival

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

YOSAKOI Soran Festival blends Hokkaido's Soran Bushi folk song with dance and hand-held clappers, drawing hundreds of teams and millions of spectators to Sapporo each June.

10–14 Jun 2027Sapporo · Hokkaido

Market

Otaru Glass Fair

Summer glass market featuring 20 to 40 studios from across Hokkaido, offering handcrafted glass items and hands-on experiences with an iconic illuminated wind chime tunnel.

24–26 Jul 2027Otaru · Hokkaido

Festival

Otaru Ushio Festival

This coastal festival celebrates Otaru's maritime heritage with parades, fireworks, and cultural activities honoring the harbour's role in the city's growth.

24–26 Jul 2027Otaru · Hokkaido

Museum

National Ainu Museum

Japan's first national museum dedicated to Ainu culture and the core facility of Upopoy, promoting understanding of this Indigenous heritage.

Shiraoi · Hokkaido

Shrine

Jozankei Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Sapporo's Jozankei hot spring resort area, dedicated to the god of hot springs and healing, surrounded by nature and autumn foliage.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Zoo & Wildlife

AOAO SAPPORO

A three-floor aquarium inside a Sapporo shopping complex, open until ten at night, with rockhopper penguins, planted tanks, and immersive digital art.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Castle

Goryokaku

Japan's first Western-style fortress, this five-pointed star fort was completed in 1866 and witnessed the final battle of the Boshin War.

Hakodate · Hokkaido

Castle

Matsumae Castle

Japan's northernmost and final traditional Japanese castle, constructed 1850-1854 in Hokkaido as a strategic defense against foreign pressure during the late Tokugawa period.

Matsumae · Hokkaido

Historic Site

Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Site

Ainu fortifications on Nemuro Peninsula's windswept cliffs, built between the 16th and 18th centuries and ranked number one among Japan's 100 castles.

Nemuro · Hokkaido

Food & Drink

Inuno Yakiimoyasan

Baked potato shop where a Shiba dog named Ken works, offering visitors, especially elderly customers, the opportunity to interact with and observe dog-human companionship.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Area & Points of Interest

Otaru Canal

A picturesque 19th-century canal in Hokkaido lined with historic warehouses and known for its atmospheric winter and spring illuminations.

Otaru · Hokkaido

Observatory

Sapporo TV Tower

Radio broadcasting tower built in 1957 featuring digital clocks and observation areas, with renovations completed in the early 2000s.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Nightlife

Susukino

Hokkaido's premier nightlife destination packed with bars, clubs, izakayas and restaurants, particularly vibrant during Sapporo's annual Snow Festival.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Amusement Park

Shiroi Koibito Park

This theme park and factory celebrates Shiroi Koibito, a famous chocolate sandwich cookie, through immersive exhibits and a projection-mapping presentation on chocolate history.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

National Park

Shikotsu-Tōya National Park

Spanning 993 square kilometers in Hokkaido, this national park features volcanic caldera lakes, including Shikotsu and Tōya, along with hot springs and mountain areas.

Niseko · Hokkaido

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