The Hakodate Morning Market (Hakodate Asaichi) is one of Hokkaido’s most famous food destinations, bringing together approximately 250 shops selling fresh seafood, local produce, and regional specialties. Located just a short walk from JR Hakodate Station, this bustling market is an ideal place to discover the culinary delights of northern Japan. Visitors can browse the stalls, sample local delicacies, and enjoy seafood rice bowls topped with freshly caught fish and other seasonal ingredients at the market’s many restaurants.
The market traces its origins to the immediate postwar period in 1945, when farmers from nearby communities began selling vegetables and fruit directly on the streets near Hakodate Station. As the market grew, it relocated several times before settling at its present location in 1956. Over the decades, it has developed into one of Hakodate’s principal centers for food distribution and a popular attraction for visitors eager to experience the region’s food culture.
One of the pleasures of exploring Hakodate Morning Market is discovering its many distinctive shops and the people behind them. At Kajiwara Kombu Shop, visitors can watch skilled artisans hand-shave locally harvested gagome kelp into delicate sheets of oboro kombu, a finely shaved kelp product prized for its texture and flavor.
Kashime Suisan is known for grilling Japanese flying squid, or surume-ika, caught in the waters around Hakodate. The squid is grilled to order, allowing visitors to enjoy its savory aroma and fresh seafood flavor. At Hakodate Kujira-ya, shoppers can find specialty products such as whale bacon, a relatively uncommon delicacy.
Another popular attraction is the Live Squid Fishing Pond, where visitors can catch their own live squid and have it prepared immediately as ika sashimi, or thinly sliced raw squid. This hands-on experience offers a memorable way to appreciate Hakodate’s renowned squid. For the best chance of hooking one, try catching the squid by its fin-like mantle, known in Japanese as the *enpera*.
Hakodate Morning Market consists of several streets and dedicated market facilities, each offering a slightly different atmosphere. The main shopping streets include Asaichi Odori, Asaichi Nakadori, and Tomoe-dori, where individual shops line the roads. Visitors can also explore Donburi Yokocho Market, known for its seafood rice bowls, and Ekini Market, which offers a variety of seafood and local products.
Hakodate Asaichi Hiroba, which opened in April 2014, is a multipurpose complex bringing together several types of businesses under one roof. Its facilities include a market area selling local products, fruit and vegetable shops, a flower shop, a direct-sales market operated by agricultural producers, and a food court serving seafood rice bowls, ramen, boxed meals, and other dishes.
Many vendors are happy to explain their products and recommend ways to enjoy them, making conversations with shopkeepers part of the market experience. Whether you are looking for fresh seafood, regional delicacies, local produce, or edible souvenirs, take your time exploring the stalls to discover something special.
The market also offers distinctive services such as Select Asaichi and Tamatebako, a selection of value-packed assortments designed to deliver the flavors of Hakodate and its surrounding region to customers throughout Japan.
From sampling freshly prepared squid sashimi to savoring a seafood rice bowl for breakfast, Hakodate Morning Market provides an authentic introduction to the food culture of southern Hokkaido. Its lively atmosphere, abundance of fresh ingredients, and opportunities to interact with local vendors make it an essential stop for anyone wishing to experience the culinary side of Hakodate.
5:00 - past 2:00 p.m. (varies by store/6:00 - from January to April)
Open year-round (varies by store)
1 min. walk from JR Hakodate Sta.