Locals reveal! 7 best viewing spots for the Hakodate Winter Fireworks over the Sea. Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

Locals reveal! 7 best viewing spots for the Hakodate Winter Fireworks over the Sea

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: Last updated: September 21, 2018

Table of contents

1. Hakodateyama Summit

2. Hachimanzaka

3. Nijukkenzaka (Twenty-Ken Slope)

4. Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro Store

5. Starbucks Coffee Hakodate Bayside Store

6. Shirokuma (Polar Bear) Sea Dining

7. Tully's Coffee Hakodate Station Store

Final thoughts

Hakodate Winter Fireworks

February is the heart of winter in Hakodate. One of the most popular events held during this time is the Hakodate Winter Fireworks Festival.

This event, which started in 2014, allows you to enjoy fireworks launched from Hakodate Bay, as its name suggests. Since the fireworks are launched offshore from the Hakodate International Hotel, a venue with food booths is set up near the hotel.

The fireworks are certainly spectacular from here, but this time I'd like to introduce a slightly unusual viewing spot recommended by locals.

<Table of Contents>
1. Hakodateyama Summit
2. Hachimanzaka
3. Nijukkenzaka (Twenty-Ken Slope)
4. Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro Store
5. Starbucks Hakodate Bayside Store
6. Shirokuma (Polar Bear) Sea Dining
7. Tully's Coffee Hakodate Station Store
Final thoughts

1. Hakodateyama Summit

winter-fireworks_1

First, let me introduce you to the summit of Mount Hakodate. It's a world-famous spot for viewing nightscapes, but its location overlooking Hakodate Bay also makes it a great place to watch fireworks!

This spot offers stunning views of Hakodate's beautiful nightscape, allowing you to enjoy the winter fireworks rising over Hakodate Bay on the left side of the image. The facility at the top of the mountain also has a section where you can enjoy the night view from inside, so you can admire the beautiful scenery while staying protected from the wind and cold.

There are also restaurants where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the night view. These are expected to be crowded, so if you want to use them, it's recommended to make a reservation in advance.

<Mount Hakodate Summit (Hakodateyama Ropeway)>
Address: 19-7 Motomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0054
TEL: 0138-23-3105 (Hakodateyama Ropeway Co., Ltd. Representative)
Opening hours: April 25th - October 15th, 10:00 AM - 9:50 PM - 10:00 PM
10/16～4/24 10:00 20:50 21:00
Closed holiday: irregular holiday
Price: Adults (junior high school students and older) Round trip 1280 yen, one way 780 yen
Children: Round trip 640 yen, one way 390 yen
URL:http://334.co.jp/

2. Hachimanzaka

winter-fireworks_2

Next, I'd like to introduce you to Hachiman-zaka, one of the most famous slopes in Hakodate, a city known for its many hills.

This slope stretches straight towards Hakodate Bay, so you can see the sea and the Seikan Ferry, Mashu Maru, at the top of the slope.

The winter fireworks are launched from this spot in front of the Mashu Maru, making it an excellent location for watching the fireworks.

Also, during the winter fireworks season, the trees on Hachiman-zaka are decorated with illuminations, so you can enjoy a sparkling and beautiful view.

<Hachimanzaka>
Address: Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City
TEL: 0138-27-3333 (Hakodate Motomachi Tourist Information Center)

3. Nijukkenzaka (Twenty-Ken Slope)

winter-fireworks_3

Along with Hachiman-zaka, Nijukken-zaka is another popular slope and a recommended spot for watching winter fireworks.

The wide slope, which is about 36 meters wide, is lined with many trees, and like Hachiman-zaka, it is illuminated during the winter fireworks season.

The street trees lining the hill leading up to Meijikan are lit up, making the view during this period truly magnificent! The fireworks are launched above the trees on the left side of the image, so it's recommended to watch them from the sidewalk on the right side as you head down the hill.

<Nijukkenzaka Slope>
Address: Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City
TEL: 0138-27-3333 (Hakodate Motomachi Tourist Information Center)

4. Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro Store

winter-fireworks_4 Self-taken photos

Next, I'd like to introduce Lucky Pierrot, a hamburger shop located in the Hakodate Bay Area.

This Marina Suehiro branch boasts a great view of the sea. While the only seats on the right side of the entrance offer a view of the winter fireworks from within the spacious restaurant, it's a fantastic spot to enjoy the fireworks while savoring Hakodate's soul food, the "Chinese Chicken Burger."

winter-fireworks_5

This photo was taken from Lucky Pierrot, looking in the direction from which the fireworks were launched. The view is unobstructed, so if you can secure a window seat, you could comfortably watch the fireworks from the warmth of the interior.

<Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro Store>
Address: 14-17 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0053
TEL：0138-27-5000
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 0:30 AM (10:00 AM - 1:30 AM on Saturdays only)
No regular holiday
Prices: Chinese Chicken Burger 350 yen, Lucky Cheeseburger 390 yen
URL:http://luckypierrot.jp/shop/marina

5. Starbucks Coffee Hakodate Bayside Store

winter-fireworks_6

This is the Starbucks next to Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro store. You can't see the fireworks from the seats on the first floor because they're blocked by the Lucky Pierrot next door, but you can watch them from the counter seats on the second floor.

winter-fireworks_7

This is a photo taken from the window of the counter seats on the second floor, facing the direction from which the fireworks were launched. The lower part is somewhat obscured by the Lucky Pierrot building, but you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while watching the magnificent fireworks exploding directly in front of you.

<Starbucks Coffee Hakodate Bayside Store>
Address: 24-6 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0053, Japan (Hakodate West Wharf)
TEL：0138-21-4522
Hours: 8: 00 ~ 23: 00
Closed holiday: irregular holiday
URL: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/store/search/detail.php?id=1012

6. Shirokuma (Polar Bear) Sea Dining

winter-fireworks_8

This restaurant is located in a less crowded area of the Hakodate Bay Area. It's a short walk from the Kanemori Warehouse towards the Hakodate Dock, and is popular for its meals made with local ingredients.

The shop's building is shaped as if half of it is jutting out over the sea, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the view of Hakodate Bay.

winter-fireworks_9

The ship you see in the middle of this image is the Mashu Maru, and the area in front of it is where the fireworks will be launched. So you can enjoy watching the fireworks rising over the marina on the green island floating in Hakodate Bay.

There are a few tables by the window, but it's likely to get crowded during event seasons, so it's best to make a reservation in advance.

<Sea Dining Shirokuma>
Address: 24-23 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0053
TEL：0138-76-9650
Opening hours: Lunch time 11:30-14:00 (last order 14:00), Cafe time 14:00-17:00 (open only on Saturdays and Sundays from November to March), Dinner time 17:30-22:00 (last order 21:30)
Closed on Thursdays
Prices: Calamari fritti 900 yen, sea urchin pasta 1,500 yen
URL:http://www.hakodate-shirokuma.com/

7. Tully's Coffee Hakodate Station Store

winter-fireworks_10

Lastly, I'd like to introduce Tully's Coffee, located on the second floor of Hakodate Station. It's a little distance from the fireworks venue, but its large windows face Mount Hakodate.

winter-fireworks_11

Looking at Mount Hakodate from inside the shop, you can clearly see that there are few tall buildings in between. Therefore, you can enjoy most of the fireworks displays with Mount Hakodate in the background.

However, since their closing time is 20:00 PM, you won't be able to see the entire fireworks display, which starts around 19:40 PM and lasts for about 25 minutes.

However, it's a hidden gem, so I recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy the atmosphere of the fireworks before or after a meal near the station.

<Tully's Coffee Hakodate Station Store>
Address: 12-13 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 040-0063, Japan (2nd floor of Hakodate Station)
TEL：0138-24-3855
Hours: 7: 30 ~ 20: 00
No regular holiday
URL:http://www.tullys.co.jp/shop/

Final thoughts

We've introduced some viewing spots for the Hakodate Winter Fireworks, which light up the February night sky over Hakodate. There are many other places to enjoy the winter fireworks besides those we've mentioned. In 2019, the event will be held from February 8th to 10th, so please refer to the event's official website for more information and enjoy winter in Hakodate!

<Hakodate Winter Fireworks>
Launch site: Off the coast of Toyokawa Wharf in Hakodate Bay
TEL: 0138-23-6100 (Hakodate Winter Fireworks Festival Executive Committee Secretariat)
Date and Time: February 8th (Fri) - 10th (Sun), 2019, starting at 8:00 PM (approximately 20 minutes)
URL:http://fuyuhanabi.com/

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