Hello,
Today is the 8th day of our Hokkaido trip.
This morning, we departed from the Tarumae Service Area and am heading to the “Michi-no-Eki Nanairo Nanae,” a roadside station located along Route 5 in Nanae Town, which is adjacent to Hakodate. This roadside station is located about 40 minutes by car from Hakodate’s city center in Nanae Town, and it is the closest roadside station to the Hakodate urban area, being the 121st in Hokkaido. They sell local specialties like apples and King Shiitake mushrooms, but the highlight is the “Guarana Soft,” a soft serve ice cream made from the famous local carbonated drink, Co-Up Guarana, which has been loved by locals for years.
Lucky Pierrot
A must-try B-class gourmet food unique to Hakodate is the “Lucky Pierrot.” The largest Lucky Pierrot restaurant, the Togeshita Souhonten, is a fun and exciting restaurant with a huge giraffe welcoming customers, almost like an amusement park. It is located about 35 minutes by car from Hakodate city center and was the 16th store to open. The restaurant is situated on a 9,917 square meters plot of land, with a log cabin-style building of about 991 square meters, and it has 208 seats, making it the largest store in the Lucky Pierrot chain. After ordering, you receive a number and card, and when you find your seat, you write the seat number on the card and place it in a basket near the register. Staff will then bring your order to your table.
When we visited two years ago, I couldn’t keep up with the pace of the place and left without eating anything. After returning home and researching, we regretted not having stayed to eat. This time, we’re determined to get our revenge on the previous visit.
The recommended dish is the “Chinese Chicken Burger,” made with sweet and spicy fried chicken, which was named the best local burger in Japan. It’s handmade to order, so it’s always served hot and juicy! There are also around 100 other menu items, including curry, omelets, hamburgers, tonkatsu, spaghetti, and pizza. Additionally, there are special dishes like okonomiyaki and yakisoba, which can only be found at the Togeshita Souhonten. The Togeshita Souhonten also sells the largest variety of souvenirs—about 100 types—among all 17 Lucky Pierrot locations. The most popular souvenir is the “Lucky Guarana” in the yellow can, an original version of the long-loved carbonated drink made with guarana extract.
Hakodate City Motomachi Tourist Parking Lot
This parking lot is conveniently located near the Motomachi Church group, the Old British Consulate, and Motomachi Park, making it a great spot for exploring the western district of Hakodate. Motorhomes cannot enter the multi-story parking area due to height restrictions, but there is a flat parking lot available, which is very helpful.
Hakodate is an exotic port town, second only to Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki in its foreign atmosphere. The Old British Consulate in Hakodate was used as the consulate from 1859 when Hakodate opened as a port for international trade until it closed in 1934. The building still proudly flies the Union Jack from its history.
Old Hakodate Ward Public Hall
Built in 1910, this historic two-story wooden building, which was used during imperial visits by the Taisho Emperor and other members of the royal family, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The contrast between the blue-gray exterior and yellow window frames is beautiful, and the colonial-style architecture harmonizes with traditional Japanese motifs, such as the arabesque patterns at the front entrance. Inside, there is a large dining hall and billiard room on the first floor, as well as a guest room, large hall, and bathhouse on the second floor, showcasing period furnishings. You can also take commemorative photos wearing Meiji-era dresses or kimonos at the Hakodate High Collar Costume Museum without the need for a reservation.
Michi-no-Eki Aputa
Located in Toyako Town (formerly Abuta Town) in southern Hokkaido, this area is surrounded by mountains, lakes, and the sea. The “Michi-no-Eki Aputa” offers a lovely view of the Abuta Fishing Port and Uchiura Bay, with a retro-style building that harmonizes with the sea. The sunset casting its glow on the building is especially striking. The station sells locally produced agricultural and marine products and processed goods, as well as homemade, natural, and healthy ice cream made with fresh milk. Today, we will be staying here overnight in the car.
See you again!