When it comes to eating ramen in Hakodate, its well-known salt-based shio ramen variety is the popular choice.

The reason why Hakodate is known for its shio ramen is thought to lie in the fact that the city used to be visited a lot by merchants from the Jiangnan region of China, who set up shop here with menus that included noodles in salt broths that were popular in the Jiangnan region.

Also, a dish called “Nanking soba” was served in 1884 in a Hakodate restaurant named Yowaken. This “Nanking soba” is said to be the origin of what later became known as ramen.

Here in Hakodate, with its historic ties to shio ramen, I will introduce a number of recommended restaurants at which to try this local specialty.
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In Hakodate tourism thrives regardless of the season. On June 1 the seasonal ban on catching squid, a Hakodate delicacy, is lifted; and many tourists come to taste the fresh squid, and see the lights of the squid fishing boats dotted across the Tsugaru Strait at night. However, at classic tourist attractions such as the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and Mt Hakodate, there are ways to enjoy the rest of the summer too! Here I will give some suggestions on how to enjoy summer in Hakodate; a season in which various events take place, such as the Hakodate Open-air Theater, where the history of Hakodate is reenacted, and the Hakodate Port Festival, where citizens gather to enjoy the short summer with every ounce of their beings.
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What can you look forward to when visiting Hakodate in summer?
Freshly caught squid, seafood gourmet, an exotic townscape which contrasts with its green surroundings, the view of a sea of clouds, and foggy night views from Mount Hakodate; summertime Hakodate is full of charm and attractions.

Summer in Hakodate is also a time for festivals. Here I will introduce 4 summer festivals in Hakodate and southern Hokkaido that you should not miss out on if you’re in the Hakodate area at the right time. All these summer festivals have their own unique charms!
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