Update-date: Jun 05 2020
There’s lot to see when you’re out on a date in Hakodate. From the night views of the churches to Goryokaku and the Bay Area, there are many romantic spots to visit. Complete your date with a meal at a great restaurant that serves amazing food! This list of carefully selected, stylish restaurants around the scenic Motomachi and Goryokaku areas are definitely worth checking out. Use it when planning your next date!
1. Hakodate Restaurant Gotoken
Enjoy a special lunch in this Western-style building that’s a designated cultural treasure. Located along Nijukken-zaka, the restaurant is near all the major sightseeing spots in Motomachi. This long-standing yoshoku (Western-influenced Japanese cuisine) restaurant was established back in 1879, and retains the unique atmosphere of the Meiji (1868 - 1912) and Taisho (1912 - 1926) periods. It’s a romantic restaurant that you must visit on a date!
The head chef’s motto is "to continuously seek innovation while preserving tradition".
This Western-style building recreates the romantic atmosphere of the old days perfectly. It’s a place that's filled with 135 years of history.
Hakodate Restaurant Gotoken
Open: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
*From November - March, the operating times change to: 11:30 am - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
*Dinner reservations for course meals only. Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance.
*Closed on Monday during January and February.
*Closed on January 1 and 2.
Average price: 1,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Jujigai Station
Address: 4-5, Suehiro-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
Source: (Japanese)
*From November - March, the operating times change to: 11:30 am - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
*Dinner reservations for course meals only. Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance.
*Closed on Monday during January and February.
*Closed on January 1 and 2.
Average price: 1,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Jujigai Station
Address: 4-5, Suehiro-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
Source: (Japanese)
2. Restaurant La Tachi
Enjoy authentic French food in a lovely environment for lunch! This restaurant is so popular among locals that you’ll need a reservation even for lunch. It’s a bit of a distance from Goryokaku Park, but you can enjoy a nice stroll in Hakodate while making your way to the restaurant. It’s a casual restaurant, so you can be at ease as you tuck in.
Relax as you take in the romantic atmosphere and enjoy the delicious food.
The counter seats offer a view of the open kitchen, so you can watch as they cook!
Restaurant La Tachi
Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays] From 11:30 am (L.O. 1:30 pm)
[Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays] From 6:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: First Wednesday of the month, Sunday lunch, Tuesday dinner
*Closed on August 1 - 6 for Obon
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY *The 4 affordable dinner courses come with a dessert cart! / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY *The 3 types of lunch courses change daily.
Access: Head towards Hachiman Street from Goryokaku Station. The restaurant is located on the corner of the intersection after the Kita Shobosho Kamedahon-cho Shisho.
Address: 3-24, Kamedahon-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
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[Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays] From 6:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: First Wednesday of the month, Sunday lunch, Tuesday dinner
*Closed on August 1 - 6 for Obon
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY *The 4 affordable dinner courses come with a dessert cart! / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY *The 3 types of lunch courses change daily.
Access: Head towards Hachiman Street from Goryokaku Station. The restaurant is located on the corner of the intersection after the Kita Shobosho Kamedahon-cho Shisho.
Address: 3-24, Kamedahon-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
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3. Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Branch
Enjoy shio ramen (noodles), a dish that Hakodate is known for, in a chic restaurant! Within walking distance of Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower, Ajisai is the perfect stop after taking a stroll around Goryokaku. It is an extremely clean and stylish space, so it makes for a good lunch location when you’re out on a date and would like to have some ramen.
Their [Ajisai Shio Ramen] is a favorite among locals, and there are even fans who come from across the country to taste it!
It has a modern interior and a stylish exterior. You can also get a great view of the blooming cherry blossoms in the spring!
Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Branch
Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 8:25 pm (L.O. 8:25 pm)
*Open until 3:00 pm on December 30, and until 4:00 pm on January 2
Closed: Wednesday
*If the 4th Wednesday of the month falls on a national holiday, it will be closed the next day instead
*Closed on December 31 and January 1
Average price: [Dinner] 1,100 JPY / [Lunch] 880 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
*Open until 3:00 pm on December 30, and until 4:00 pm on January 2
Closed: Wednesday
*If the 4th Wednesday of the month falls on a national holiday, it will be closed the next day instead
*Closed on December 31 and January 1
Average price: [Dinner] 1,100 JPY / [Lunch] 880 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
4. Motomachi Saryo
Located near the Hakodate Orthodox Church, this cafe is a great place to take a rest when you’re tired from walking around the many sightseeing spots in Motomachi. This is especially true if you’re walking around Daisan Zaka Slope. Head inside, order a drink, and spend some time relaxing and chatting!
Enjoy their seasonal Japanese sweets with fresh coffee served in authentic matcha (powdered green tea) bowls.
Motomachi feels almost like a foreign country. There are panoramic views from any of the many surrounding hills.
Motomachi Saryo
Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
*Open if Tuesday falls on a national holiday
*Open even during the beginning and end of the year
Average price: 550 JPY
Access: 8-minute walk from Jujigai Station. Located opposite to the Catholic church.
Address: 17-8, Moto-machi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
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Closed: Tuesday
*Open if Tuesday falls on a national holiday
*Open even during the beginning and end of the year
Average price: 550 JPY
Access: 8-minute walk from Jujigai Station. Located opposite to the Catholic church.
Address: 17-8, Moto-machi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
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5. Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo
Take a break at this relaxing cafe that's located right beside Goryokaku Tower. Stop when you get tired from walking around Goryokaku. The light from the chandelier creates a retro-chic atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic date.
Their desserts, such as [Coconut Milk Pudding] and [Almond Tofu], are a big hit!
Though the interior has a retro feel that takes you back to the Showa period (1926 - 1989), it’s also clean and modern.
Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo
Open: 10:30 am - 8:25 pm (L.O. 8:25 pm)
Closed: Irregular
*Closed on the 4th Wednesday of the month
*Closed on the following day if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 999 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station. Beside the Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower.
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
(Japanese)
Closed: Irregular
*Closed on the 4th Wednesday of the month
*Closed on the following day if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 999 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station. Beside the Goryokaku Park and Goryokaku Tower.
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
(Japanese)
6. Steak Kaisen Teppanyaki Kitakaze
Enjoy teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) made with seasonal, local ingredients at this restaurant! Just a 2-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station, the restaurant is like a sophisticated hideaway, making it a very popular location for dates, even among the locals. Their counter seats offer diners an up-close view of the chefs grilling the food. The table seats are indirectly lit, creating the perfect atmosphere for dates.
The ingredients are carefully selected by the chef, and skillfully cooked in an authentic teppanyaki style.
There are also many wines to choose from. The menu indicates which wines pair well with which dishes.
Steak Kaisen Teppanyaki Kitakaze
Open: 6:00 pm - 12:30 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
*Course meals start from 4,800 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station. Head north along Route 571 from Hon-cho Intersection 6. It's on the left side, around 100m from there.
Also a 15-minute car drive from Hakodate Station.
Address: 5F, Mitsuwa Bldg., 8-20, Hon-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido map)
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
*Course meals start from 4,800 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Goryokaku-Koen-Mae Station. Head north along Route 571 from Hon-cho Intersection 6. It's on the left side, around 100m from there.
Also a 15-minute car drive from Hakodate Station.
Address: 5F, Mitsuwa Bldg., 8-20, Hon-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido map)
More Details
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
