First, we’ve outlined six great local shopping spots in Hakodate by major product categories. From souvenirs to fashion accessories, from fine crafts to everyday goods, and of course places that sell local specialties and dried seafood—there’s a wide range to explore. If you’re still not sure where to start even with a map, try deciding your shopping route based on the “type of products” you want to browse!

The mixed-use commercial complex HAKOVIVA, located right in front of Hakodate Station, has more than 20 shops inside. You can start shopping and enjoying food the moment you step out of the station, making it a great place to visit when you first arrive in Hakodate.

What’s more, HAKOVIVA has two shops that sell a wide variety of Hokkaido souvenirs—Tsuruigamesaku Shoten and E santurio—as well as a specialty store offering various kinds of local Hokkaido alcohol. Whether you make it your first stop in Hakodate to have a good meal and browse souvenirs, or your last stop before catching a train to buy everything you need at once, it’s a very convenient choice!

If you want to fill up, you’ll also find Hakodate Ekimae Yokocho, a spot that brings together many kinds of Hokkaido cuisine—from shabu-shabu, ramen, skewers, and sushi to matcha sweets. And if you want to ease the fatigue from traveling right after arrival, there’s also a full-body massage shop where you can take a short break.

Japanese cosmetics and skincare products have always been a key item many travelers make sure to buy. If you’d like to browse a department store in Hakodate, the long-established Marui Imai Hakodate Store is recommended. From the area in front of Hakodate Station, take the streetcar Hakodate City Tram, get off at Goryokaku Koen-mae, and you can arrive in about 17 minutes.

Here you’ll find a relatively complete selection of cosmetics, including well-known Japanese brands such as Shiseido and SK-II, as well as international brands like Dior and Chanel, giving you the best chance to buy everything you need in one place.

In addition, if you need a tax-free for items purchased in the building, you can complete the procedure at the tax-free counter on the 5th floor. Lastly, since this store is only open until 18:30 in the evening, it’s recommended to schedule it earlier, finish shopping first, and then go for dinner afterward.

If you want to shop for clothing at affordable fashion brands such as UNIQLO or GU, you can take Hakodate Bus No. 43 from Hakodate Station for about 25 minutes to the large shopping complex Hakodate Showa TOWN PLAZA. This shopping complex consists of six buildings, with UNIQLO and GU each occupying one building. In addition, there are specialty outdoor sports stores, drugstores, and the bookstore Bunkyodo Hakodate, so you can easily spend half a day here—be sure to allow plenty of time. Clothing stores here are open as late as 20:00, while drugstores are open until 21:50.

When it comes to Hakodate sightseeing spots, you simply have to mention the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. Not only is it a landmark of the Hakodate Bay Area (waterfront area), it is also a multi-purpose tourist spot where you can enjoy strolling, dining, and shopping at the same time.

In 1859, Hakodate opened as an international trading port—one of the earliest in Japan to open to the outside world—along with Yokohama and Nagasaki. The growth of the port brought prosperity to the city, and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses were born in this context. As Hakodate’s earliest commercial warehouses, they have long witnessed the changes of the harbor and the city. Even today, the complex preserves the red-brick architectural appearance from the era when maritime shipping flourished, making it one of the key symbols of the Hakodate Bay Area.

The complex consists of four facilities: BAY Hakodate, Kanemori Yomono-kan, Hakodate History Plaza, and Kanemori Hall. Kanemori Hall serves as a performance and event space, while the other areas are mainly shops and dining spaces, bringing together several stores selling souvenirs, home and lifestyle goods and furnishings, and fashion accessories. If you’re looking for design goods or unique keepsakes beyond sweet souvenirs, this is the place to go. Some shops also offer duty-free services.

Because the area is compact and can be covered on foot, it’s ideal for travelers who don’t want to move around frequently and would like to stroll and shop at a relaxed pace. It is especially recommended to visit in the evening—shop while enjoying the scenery of the harbor and red-brick warehouses lit by the setting sun, and leave yourself with unforgettable memories of the trip.

Also recommended is the shopping facility Hakodate Meijikan, about a four-minute walk from the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. This building was renovated from the historic former Hakodate Post Office. Inside, it mainly sells locally made Hokkaido crafts, glass products, and music boxes—items with strong keepsake value. There are also experience areas for glass products and music boxes, so even families with children can have fun. Duty-free services are also available here.

Want to enjoy shopping from early in the morning? Then you definitely can’t miss the Hakodate Morning Market, which opens lively every morning at dawn. The market is open daily from 6:00 to around 14:00, year-round without holidays. With an area of around 33,000m², it brings together about 250 stalls, making it one of the largest markets in Hakodate.

What’s sold here isn’t limited to fresh seafood such as crab and salmon. You’ll also find vegetables and fruit sold directly from local farms, dried goods and processed foods that can be stored at room temperature and taken back home, and even everyday goods and clothing. If you’re looking for dried items such as dried scallops (scallop adductor muscles), shredded dried squid, or kombu seaweed, or if you want popular Hokkaido souvenirs, the Hakodate Morning Market is absolutely a locally recommended must-visit spot.

Although you can’t choose seafood at the stalls and take it home to cook, you can enjoy the freshest and most delicious seafood rice bowls (kaisen-don) at great value right at the market’s eateries and food stalls. Whether you want salmon roe or sea urchin, or oysters or king crab, a visit to the Hakodate Morning Market will not disappoint.
Because the market is busiest in the early morning, it’s recommended to go early if you want to feel the local market atmosphere. If you simply want to shop for dried goods and souvenirs at an easy pace, the time closer to noon is relatively more comfortable in terms of crowds. Overall, the Hakodate Morning Market is very suitable as the starting point of a one-day itinerary: first enjoy a bowl of kaisen-don and buy souvenirs, then head to the bay area or other sightseeing spots in the city, and your schedule will run more smoothly.

Located near the Hakodate City Tram stop Goryokaku Koen-mae, just like the department store Marui Imai Hakodate mentioned earlier, the complex shopping facility SHARE STAR HAKODATE is a practical spot that combines lifestyle shopping with café space. It’s especially handy for filling short gaps in your itinerary or as a backup plan on bad-weather days.

Floors 1 to 3 are home to MUJI, a familiar name for many Taiwanese travelers, while the basement level features the popular Japanese lifestyle store Loft. Loft offers an irresistible range of stationery and small goods (a must for stationery lovers), along with trendy beauty items and everyday lifestyle products—so if you enjoy browsing curated shops, don’t miss it.

With a compact layout and simple flow, SHARE STAR HAKODATE works well as a rainy-day alternative, for families traveling with kids, or whenever you need a place to rest and kill some time. Most shops are open until 20:00, and the Starbucks on the 1st floor stays open until 22:00, making it perfect for a short break after shopping or as a convenient stop between evening plans.

When traveling in Hakodate, you can’t miss the local food—along with sightseeing and shopping, of course. Light and refreshing Hakodate shio ramen (salt ramen) and the Hakodate-only local fast-food chain Lucky Pierrot are often mentioned as signature Hakodate specialties. Since there are so many great options, a separate article has been compiled with recommended dishes and restaurants. If you’d like to dive deeper into what to eat, please refer to the article below.

Of course, Hokkaido classics like Shiroi Koibito or Yubari melon jelly are popular—but many travelers also want to know what’s uniquely Hakodate. In addition to the local crafts introduced earlier, here are seven representative Hakodate souvenirs and where to buy them. Take notes now!

First up is the Hakodate-born favorite, SNAFFLE’S Cheese Omelette. The main store is in Hakodate, with additional locations in Sapporo, Chitose, and Tokyo.

Famous for being handmade, this soufflé cheesecake is unbelievably soft. When you gently scoop a bite with a spoon, you’ll hear a subtle shu-wa sound, and the cake melts away the moment it hits your mouth. With a fresh cheese aroma and airy texture, it’s the kind of treat you’ll keep reaching for—an indulgence that delights the eyes, ears, nose, and taste buds all at once.

Because it needs refrigeration, it’s not ideal for taking overseas as a gift. Instead, it’s best enjoyed on the spot—near Hakodate Station or during your trip. If you pass by the station or one of the shops, pick one up and enjoy it as a small “travel happiness” break along the way.

The second item is a souvenir that looks like seafood at first glance, but is safe to take home: Hakodate Yanagiya’s Ika Yokan (squid-shaped sweet).

When you hear “yokan,” you might imagine a rectangular bar with a rich, sweet bean-paste flavor. But this one is different. It’s made by wrapping coffee filling in chewy “gyuhi” (a soft Japanese mochi-like confection), then shaping it into an adorable squid. From the box to the product itself, everything is designed to look like you’re buying squid—making it a playful, highly giftable souvenir. It’s perfect for those who don’t like overly sweet flavors, want something eye-catching and conversation-worthy, don’t want to worry about customs restrictions, or simply want a truly distinctive gift.

From Hakodate Station, it’s easy to reach Hakodate Yanagiya in about 10 minutes (bus plus walking). Since quantities are limited each day, it’s worth stopping by and trying your luck if you’re in Hakodate.

Next is Senshuan Sohonke, another local confectionery in Hakodate alongside Hakodate Yanagiya. Their signature “dorayaki” has a history of nearly 100 years, and the shop still follows traditional methods today—letting the batter ferment for a long time, kneading it, and steaming/baking each pancake layer carefully, one by one. Since it keeps for about 5 to 6 days, it’s a great option to buy in the latter half of your trip and take home to share with friends or enjoy later.

If you’re looking for a reliable, easy-to-share Japanese sweet with a steady, comforting flavor, Senshuan Sohonke’s dorayaki is a safe bet. You can also find it at the Hakodate Morning Market and at the department store Marui Imai Hakodate, so if you pass by, consider picking one up to try.

When it comes to classic souvenirs from the Hakodate area, Trappist Cookies from the Trappist Monastery are always near the top of the list. These cookies are made at the Trappist Monastery in Hokuto City, using the monastery’s own fermented butter kneaded into the dough before baking. The result is a rich aroma without being overly sweet, a crisp texture, and a gentle buttery flavor that lingers pleasantly. They’re easy to keep eating, and perfect for sharing with coworkers, friends, and family.

In addition to the monastery’s direct shop, you may also find them at souvenir stores around the Hakodate Bay Area, shops at Hakodate Station, and airport stores. If you don’t have time to visit the direct shop, simply add them to your pre-departure shopping list and look for them at the station or airport—they’re convenient to pick up.

Earlier, we introduced the Hakodate Morning Market as a great place to buy seafood dried goods. However, since the market is very large, if you want to quickly gather what you need in one place, the Hakodate Seafood Market (Main Store) is a convenient option.

In addition to fresh seafood, the shop carries over 2,000 Hokkaido and Hakodate specialties. You can find popular classics such as Rokkatei sweets, Shiroi Koibito sandwich cookies, and Royce’ chocolate-covered potato chips.

They also sell a wide variety of bagged instant ramen, including many popular Hokkaido and Hakodate varieties—perfect for trying something new and taking a few packs home. Overall, the Hakodate Seafood Market (Main Store) is ideal as a one-stop shopping spot for dried goods and local specialties, especially after you’ve walked around the morning market or when your schedule is tight.

One of the most iconic gourmet souvenirs in southern Hokkaido is “ikameshi” (squid stuffed with rice). Simmered in a secret sweet and savory soy-based sauce, this hearty dish features tender squid packed with flavorful rice. The original ikameshi by Ikameshi Abe Shoten was created in 1941 (Showa 16) and became a famous station bento at Mori Station on the Hakodate Main Line. Even today, it continues to preserve the same traditional taste and style.

And it’s not just a station bento—ikameshi has also appeared in various collaboration products. For example, it once partnered with the delivery kamameshi brand Kama-tora, releasing a limited-time squid kamameshi made with Abe Shoten’s secret sweet-and-salty sauce and squid, creating plenty of buzz.

If you’d like to buy ikameshi during your trip, it’s best to check the official website, where regular sales locations are clearly listed. You may be able to find it year-round at places such as Shibata Shoten in front of Mori Station and LAWSON Fujimi Store (availability and quantities may vary by season). In summer, temporary stalls may also appear on the Mori Station platform for a limited period. If your Hakodate trip includes travel through the area, you could even add Mori Station as a quick stop and pick one up—an easy way to add a memorable highlight to your journey.

Ikameshi Abe Shoten also sells at department stores nationwide and at special ekiben fairs, events, and festivals. So if you happen to see a Hokkaido Fair or ekiben event at a department store or shopping venue in Hakodate, it’s worth keeping an eye out.

If you want an alcoholic souvenir that feels truly “Hakodate,” HAKODATE BEER is a great pick. Often referred to as Hakodate’s original local craft beer, it focuses on balancing hops, malt, and yeast, combined with the brewers’ experience and technique, resulting in a range of distinctive yet easy-to-drink craft beers.

It’s great for enjoying right away, and also makes an excellent gift. If you’re strolling around the Hakodate Bay Area—near Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses or Hakodate Meijikan—it’s easy to pick up a few bottles, enjoy them back at your hotel, or bring them home for friends and family who love beer.

HAKODATE BEER is also a restaurant attached to a craft brewery, where you can dine while seeing the brewing tanks up close and enjoying freshly brewed beer. It’s a fun, immersive experience in itself.

After reading about so many Hakodate souvenirs and shopping spots, you may already be eager to plan a shopping-and-food trip to Hakodate. However, unlike major cities such as Tokyo or Osaka with extensive train networks, getting around central Hakodate is mainly done via the streetcar Hakodate City Tram, local buses, and taxis. If you plan to visit Mt. Hakodate for its famous night view, taking the ropeway is a convenient option.

If your itinerary extends to areas outside the city, renting a car is generally recommended, though there are also destinations such as Onuma Park that can be reached directly by JR train.

Since Hakodate’s attractions are spread out, understanding transportation options and planning your routes in advance will help your trip go more smoothly. For more suggested itineraries and travel tips, please refer to the links below.

This article mainly focused on shopping in Hakodate, but the city’s appeal goes far beyond that. We recommend combining shopping with other experiences as well. For example, after shopping in the city or bay area during the day, head to Mt. Hakodate to see the dazzling night view, or relax in the warm waters of Yunokawa Onsen. You can also visit historic architecture such as the Motomachi Catholic Church, or the impressive Goryokaku Park. If you’re up for it, adding experiences like squid fishing can make your trip even more exciting and memorable.

If you’re planning your next Hakodate trip, be sure to check out other articles on LIVE JAPAN as well to build an even more complete itinerary!