Hokkaido Free Travel Port Tour: Must-eat Food and Attractions in Hakodate Port, Otaru Port, etc.

If you want to explore the charm of Hokkaido, you must not miss these charming ports! This article starts with the 7 must-visit ports in Hokkaido, and introduces in detail the special attractions and local delicacies around each port. It is recommended that independent Travel enthusiasts or food experts must save this list. Now, join "Happy Food and Shopping! Japan" and embark on this exciting Hokkaido port adventure!



Introduction to Hokkaido Ports

As the northernmost island in Japan, Hokkaido has a long coastline and many ports. It plays an extremely important role in the economy of Hokkaido. For example, Kushiro Port and Abashiri Port are key fishing centers in Japan, while Tomakomai Port and Muroran Port are the largest international trade port and industrial port in Hokkaido respectively. In addition, the Tourist attractions and food around the ports also bring considerable tourism income to Hokkaido. First, let's use a chart to show you the characteristics of Hokkaido's seven major ports:

Port name Location Port characteristics
Hakodate Port Southern Hokkaido Beautiful night view, rich historical buildings
Otaru Port Central Hokkaido Canal, red brick warehouses
Kushiro Port Eastern Hokkaido Fishing center, Wetbara National Park
Wakkanai Port Northern Hokkaido The northernmost point of Japan, facing Russia
Abashiri Port Eastern Hokkaido Drift ice, prison museum
Muroran Port Central Hokkaido Industrial landscape, Hakutori Bridge Observation Deck
Tomakomai Port Central Hokkaido Industrial landscape, seafood market

7 Best Ports in Hokkaido

Hakodate Port



"Hakodate Port" is located on the Toshima Peninsula at the southwestern end of Hokkaido. It is a natural harbor leading to the Tsugaru Strait. Since ancient times, this has been an important base for merchant ships. Hakodate Port was opened as a foreign trade port in 1859. Along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, it is one of Japan's earliest international trade ports. Today, Hakodate City is not only the core city of the southern Hokkaido region, but also committed to building an international aquatic and marine city, becoming a hub for tourism and logistics. With the modernization and earthquake-resistant strengthening of port facilities, Hakodate Port has become an important material transportation point during disasters. At the same time, it also provides a convenient docking environment for cruise ships, making the travel experience richer.

When you come to Hakodate, you must not miss the "Hakodate Mountain Night View", which is known as one of the "Three Major Night Views in Japan". Looking down from the top of Mt. Hakodate, the entire city of Hakodate is ablaze with lights at night, and the scenery is breathtaking. The night view here was rated as a three-star attraction by the French Michelin company in the "Michelin Green Guide: Japan Classic Travel", and the real visual shock far exceeds the photo. When the mist dissipates, the flashing city lights show a spectacular view that makes people excited. It is recommended to climb Mt. Hakodate in person to explore it.

Hakodate Attractions: Mt. Hakodate Night View



When you come to Hakodate, you can't miss the "Mt. Hakodate Night View", which is known as one of the "Three Great Night Views in Japan". Looking down from the top of Mt. Hakodate, the entire city of Hakodate is brightly lit under the night sky, and the scenery is breathtaking. The night view here was rated as a three-star attraction by the French Michelin company in the "Michelin Green Guide: Japan Classic Travel". The real visual shock far exceeds the photo. When the mist dissipates, the flashing city lights show a spectacular beauty that makes people excited. It is recommended to climb Mt. Hakodate in person to explore it.

Hakodate Food: Clown Burger



Clown Burger is only open in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The signature "Chinese Chicken Leg Burger" is a highly recommended delicious burger. The a la carte price is only 350 yen, and the upgraded set (650 yen) also includes fries and drinks. This burger is very generous, with thick chicken leg steaks dipped in a sweet and sour sauce and refreshing lettuce and mayonnaise. The taste is extremely delicious. Although the portion is so large that it is a bit difficult to bite, the deliciousness is still irresistible. Therefore, the "Chinese Chicken Leg Burger", which sells more than 300,000 pieces a year, has won the title of "Japan's No. 1 Burger". It is recommended to go and taste it in person!

Otaru Port



Otaru Port is located in Sapporo, the political and economic center of Hokkaido, and is an important distribution hub on the Sea of ​​Japan. Since the construction of the railway connecting Temiya and Sapporo in 1880, it has gradually developed into an important base for the development of Hokkaido. With the completion of large docks and the opening of new trade routes, Otaru Port has become a hub for international cruise tourism. The development of the waterfront and the construction of green spaces provide travelers with an ideal environment for leisure and sightseeing. Whether you are a history lover or a cruise passenger, this is a tourist attraction that cannot be missed.

Otaru Canal



Otaru in Hokkaido is famous for its fairy-tale-like nostalgic streetscapes and is the best place to experience the "Taisho romance". In the late Meiji era, Otaru quickly rose to become an important international port and financial center, and was known as the "Northern Wall Street". Among them, the "Otaru Canal" opened in the Taisho era has become a symbol of the city, showing the prosperity and beauty of the time. The unique historical atmosphere and charming canal scenery are a must-visit place for exploring the history and culture of Hokkaido.

Otaru Food: Otaru Confectionery Shop LeTAO



The confectionery shop "LeTAO" in Otaru is world-renowned for its famous "Double Fromage" cheesecake. Located at the Fairy Tale Crossroads in the center of Otaru Tourism, this shop has a classic and charming appearance and is a must-visit place to explore local desserts. The "Miracle Melt-in-your-mouth Set Meal" offered in LeTAO's second-floor cafe is the most popular choice. All desserts in the store use high-quality ingredients from Hokkaido, and the special whipped cream melts in your mouth and brings a rich milky aroma.

Kushiro Port



"Kushiro Port" is not only the logistics hub of Eastern Hokkaido, but also an important grain base for Japan. This port is divided into the East Port District and the West Port District. Initially, the East Port District was the main area. With the growth of trade, the West Port District has gradually developed. Today, the West Port District has modern terminal facilities to support large-scale cargo transportation. In addition, in addition to traditional logistics and fishing functions, the East Port District of Kushiro Port also has a vibrant waterfront space, especially the Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf, which has become a popular attraction for tourists to explore port culture. This historic port is not only a trade center, but also provides tourists with a rich tourist experience.

Kushiro Attractions: Hitoshi Bridge



The Hitoshi Bridge is located in Kushiro City, Hokkaido. It spans the mouth of the Kushiro River and is about 120 meters long, connecting Kushiro Kita-Odori and Kushiro City Omachi. This bridge is famous for its excellent sunset viewing spot, especially for being able to enjoy the magnificent view of one of the three largest sunsets in the world. In addition, Hitoshi Bridge is listed as one of the 100 bridges in Japan. The exquisite four-season images on its railings are even more of a highlight. These works were created by famous artists, including Funago Yasutake who created the "Spring Image", Sato Tadayoshi who created the "Summer Image", Yanagihara Yoshitatsu who created the "Autumn Image", and Hongo Arata who created the "Winter Image". They are worth seeing.

Kushiro Food: Washo Market



Located on the west side of JR Kushiro Station, Washo Market is a famous local retail market with about 50 stores, including fresh fish stores, fruit stores, snack stores, dried seafood stores, small dried fish stores, fine meat stores and restaurants. The signature "Katte Don" here is a creative seafood donburi, where you can put your favorite seafood on the white rice to create a unique flavor. While enjoying the food, you may also want to taste the coffee and desserts in the market. In addition, there are stalls dedicated to displaying whole fish in the market, where you can choose and cut fresh seafood on the spot and take it home as a souvenir.

Wakkanai Port



Wakkanai Port is an important port at the northernmost tip of Japan. It is not only the logistics hub of the Hokkien region, but also a key point connecting the northern fishing base and Rishiri Island and Rebun Island. In recent years, Wakkanai Port has been redeveloped under the "Waknai Marine Town Plan", and international cultural exchange facilities and welfare facilities have been added to make it a center of urban vitality. In particular, the North Breakwater (Arcade), a historical structure recognized as a Hokkaido heritage and a civil engineering heritage selected by the Civil Engineering Society, has become a popular tourist attraction in Wakkanai. In addition, Wakkanai Port is also a hub port on the Sea of ​​Japan side, which can receive large cruise ships, making transportation more convenient.

Wakkanai Attractions: Cape Soya



Cape Soya is located at 45 degrees 31 minutes 14 seconds north latitude and is the northernmost landmark in Japan. A 5.44-meter-high triangular pyramid monument stands here, symbolizing a corner of the North Pole, and is particularly eye-catching under the illumination of lights at night. As the northernmost tourist destination in Japan, it attracts many tourists to take commemorative photos. In addition, Cape Soya also provides souvenirs such as the "Northernmost Arrival Certificate", which is a very popular souvenir.

Wakkanai Food: Wakkanai Milk



Friends who love milk must not miss "Wakkanai Milk" when they come to Wakkanai! The cows here thrive in the vast land and fresh climate. The raw milk produced by them is processed without stirring, retaining the rich flavor of fresh cream, allowing you to experience the most original taste of milk. Due to the limited production volume and short shelf life, Wakkanai milk is known as the dream product in the milk world and is a must-have for tasting the unique flavor of Wakkanai.

Abashiri Port



"Abashiri Port" is located in the northeast of Hokkaido, facing the magnificent Sea of ​​Okhotsk. It is a port with a long history. Since its construction in 1919, Abashiri Port has developed rapidly and has become an important logistics and fishing base supporting Abashiri City and Kitami City. In particular, after the opening of the -12-meter deep-water quay in the new port area in 1993, in addition to being able to receive large international cargo ships, it has also become an important distribution center for wheat produced in Okhotsk, transporting a large amount of wheat to mills every year. In addition, since the opening of the "Port Tourism Exchange Center" in Abashiri Port in 2009, it has become the departure point for drift ice sightseeing icebreakers, attracting many tourists from home and abroad. It is a popular tourist attraction that cannot be missed when coming to Hokkaido.

Abashiri Attractions: Abashiri Prison



The only prison museum in Japan, "Museum Abashiri Prison", is located in Hokkaido and is a tourist attraction full of history. This museum was originally built in the Meiji era and was once used to imprison serious criminals. It is known as the most difficult prison to escape from in Japan. Now, the museum displays a wealth of Hokkaido development history documents and related information about Abashiri Prison, and retains the unique "five-wing radial bungalow", prison cell detention center, teaching hall and other facilities, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the old prison firsthand. Not only that, you can also taste the specially made "prison meal" at the "prison cafeteria" and experience the prison diet of the past.

Abashiri Food: Drift Ice Soda



The charming ice-blue "Drift Ice Soda" (オホーツクスカイサイダー) is a must-try drink when you come to Abashiri. The color of this soda reminds people of the blue sky seen on the Abashiri Aurora sightseeing icebreaker, and the photo effect is absolutely beautiful and outstanding. It has a refreshing taste, not too sweet, light and easy to drink, making people become regular customers after trying it. If you want to experience this refreshing drink yourself, you can buy it at "Drift Ice Kaido Abashiri Road Station" to add a touch of blue memories to your Trip to Hokkaido.

Muroran Port



Muroran Port, located at the eastern end of Uchiura Bay in Hokkaido, has been the core hub of sea and land transportation since its opening in 1872. This port is not only an important base for cargo handling, but also has many tourist highlights. For example, the "Shiratori Bridge" where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery, the green space maintenance in the Shukutsu area and the passenger ship terminal in the Irie area also provide tourists with a comfortable tourist environment. Muroran Port has also welcomed Asia's largest cruise ship "Quantum" and reopened the ferry route to Aomori Port in 2022. It is an excellent starting point for exploring Hokkaido and its surrounding areas.

Muroran Attractions: Hakucho Bridge Observatory



Spanning the entrance to Muroran Port, Hakucho Bridge connects the city's commercial center and new development areas, and has been a highlight since it opened to traffic in 1988. This 720-meter-long double-hinged suspension bridge is known for its streamlined steel box girder structure, and is the first suspension bridge in Japan to adopt this design. The bridge's shape is like a white bird with its wings spread, which is impressive, and the decorative lights at night make its skeleton show a beautiful white light. Visitors can appreciate the process of the bridge from construction to completion at the Hakucho Bridge Memorial Hall. The observatory in the hall provides an excellent viewing position, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Hakucho Bridge and Muroran Port up close.

Muroran Food: Yakiniku



When Traveling to Muroran and Miho, you must not miss the local B-grade food "Yakitori"! Unlike other regions, the "Yakitori" in Muroran is characterized by the use of pork instead of chicken, pork and onions, grilled and dipped in a sweet sauce, and then served with yellow mustard sauce. The taste is unique and delicious. If you want to experience authentic Muroran Yakiniku, you might as well go to popular stores such as "Yakitori no Ippei" or "Torijin" to taste it and feel the real local flavor!

Tomakomai Port



Tomakomai is located in the Ishikari Plain in the center of Hokkaido, close to the southern coast of the Pacific Ocean. It has a relatively mild climate and little snowfall. It is about 65 kilometers from Sapporo and about 20 kilometers from New Chitose Airport. The transportation is very convenient and it is an important land, sea and air transportation hub. The development of "Tomakomai Port" has a long history. It began in the Taisho period and was officially built in 1951. Today, Tomakomai Port includes the "West Port District" and the "East Port District". It has a port area of ​​about 14,000 hectares and is an important industrial and logistics center in the prefecture. The old dock in the West Port District is undergoing earthquake-resistant renovation and was repositioned as an "International Base Port" in 2011. This is not only a transportation hub, but also has rich potential for industrial and economic development.

Tomakomai Attractions: Lake Shikotsu



Located in Chitose City, "Lake Shikotsu" is a crater lake formed by volcanic activity about 32,000 years ago. It is the second deepest lake in Japan and the northernmost unfrozen lake, with amazing water clarity. Lake Shikotsu has won the honor of being the first in the Ministry of the Environment's public waters water quality measurement 20 times, and its unique blue light is even called "Lake Shikotsu Blue". Regardless of spring, summer, autumn and winter, there are a wealth of outdoor experiences here, such as canoeing, fishing, snorkeling and ice walking. Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure lover, you can find the most suitable fun in Lake Shikotsu.

Tomakomai Food: Raw Hokki Clam Donburi



Hokki Clam Donburi is known for its low fat and high iron content. It presents a charming cherry red color after being cooked. It is a must-eat food when you come to Tomakomai. "Hokki Clam Donburi" not only presents the beautiful pink cherry color of Hokki Clam, but also the end is dyed light yellow by soy sauce, which increases the appetite. The shellfish meat is tender and crispy, and the sweet and salty flavor makes people salivate. Paired with the flavored rice rich in shellfish soup, every bite is a taste bud enjoyment. During the peak season, "Hokugi Kaidon" often sells 300 to 400 servings a day, attracting many diners to taste this classic delicacy.

The scenic spots and food tours around the ports in Hokkaido are definitely an unforgettable experience. I think whether you are a food lover, a nature explorer or a culture lover, you can leave behind wonderful travel memories. Now prepare your luggage and embark on this surprise-filled trip to the ports of Hokkaido!