Opened in 2016, Kiraris Hakodate is a large-scale complex located in a prime location, just a one-minute walk from Hakodate Tram Station and a three-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station. It is attracting attention as a new landmark in Hakodate.

The 16-story building houses souvenir shops and restaurants convenient for tourists, as well as an interactive public facility operated by Hakodate City, offering plenty of things for everyone to enjoy, from children to adults, whether locals or tourists.

This time, we'll give you a detailed look at Kiraris Hakodate, Hakodate's new landmark. From trendy shops to facilities where you can experience Hakodate using cutting-edge science, we'll guide you to a new must-see spot that will create lasting memories of your Hakodate trip.

<Table of Contents>

1. "Kiraris Hakodate," a new landmark in front of JR Hakodate Station.
2. A commercial space featuring popular shops in Hakodate.
3. "Hakodate Mirai-kan": A virtual tour of Hakodate using the latest technology.
4. A great resource for families traveling with children! "Hakodate Kids Plaza"
Final thoughts

The tall, 16-story building you see directly in front of you when you get off at JR Hakodate Station is Kiraris Hakodate.

The building, which had been a familiar landmark to the citizens of Hakodate since the 40s as "WAKO Department Store," was closed and demolished in 2013 to coincide with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. It was then rebuilt as a central pillar of the redevelopment project that forms the core of the Hakodate City Central Business District Revitalization Plan.

Kiraris Hakodate consists of 16 floors above ground and 1 floor underground. The first and second basement floors are commercial spaces, the third and fourth floors are public facilities, and the fifth floor and above are residential apartments. In addition to serving as a hub for community interaction, it is also expected to be a place that provides better information and services to tourists.

First, let me introduce the commercial space on the ground floor. It features a convenience store, souvenir shops, restaurants, and more.

・ "Ezorisu" offers souvenirs from Hokkaido, especially from southern Hokkaido.

"Ezorisu" is an antenna shop that handles Hokkaido-produced food products, including Gagome kelp products. The cute interior also gives it the feel of a stylish general store.

They also have processed foods and cosmetics made with ingredients from Hokkaido, so you can find stylish Hakodate souvenirs that are a little different from the usual.

 

・ "Espoir," a popular local bakery

Espoir, a bakery with stores in Hakodate and Aomori, is a popular local bakery and has opened a branch in Kiraris Hakodate.

The bread baked in the open kitchen is all fluffy and chewy. With such a wide variety, you might find yourself buying too much!

 

 

・Enjoy matcha tea at "Matcha Cafe Shirayuki" in Hakodate

This shop, with its modern Japanese atmosphere, is "Matcha Cafe Shirayuki." It's a cafe stand that sells drinks and sweets made with carefully selected first-harvest tea and ingredients from Hokkaido.

The shop's signature item is a matcha latte, available in three varieties: Uji tea from Kyoto, Yame tea from Fukuoka, and Nishio tea from Aichi. Enjoy the harmonious blend of fragrant first-flush tea and fresh milk from Hokkaido.

 

- Enjoying local crepes while strolling around: "Kinuyaki Tsutsumi Tsuki no Ame"

"Kinuyaki Tsutsumi Tsuki no Ame," a crepe shop with its main store in Hakodate, is a popular local spot where long lines often form on weekends. Now, its second store has opened at Kiraris Hakodate.

The shop, accessible from the streetcar line, has a charming, natural-themed interior. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from classic sweets to hearty savory dishes, all at very reasonable prices ranging from 150 to 330 yen. The dough is also chewy and not too sweet, which explains its popularity.

Located on the 3rd floor, "Hakodate Mirai-kan" is an interactive public facility operated by the city of Hakodate. Visitors can experience interactive content utilizing the latest scientific technology.

The main attraction is a spectacular video screening using a media wall measuring 2.4m high and 14.4m wide. You can enjoy videos such as "Squid Swarm," which teaches you about the mechanism of fishing using bright lights to catch squid, and "Hakodate Musical," an animation introducing Hakodate created by artist Ryo Inoue, familiar from NHK E-TV's "Bijutsu Tune!".

Furthermore, various programs are available that will delight tourists, such as a virtual experience of the view from the bell tower of the Orthodox Church in Motomachi using 360-degree video and sound effects, and content that lets you feel like you're taking an aerial stroll while viewing Goryokaku Park filmed by a drone.

On the other hand, the facility on the fourth floor, named "Hakodate Kids Plaza," is a playground where children can play freely using their whole bodies.

The park boasts a wide variety of play equipment to keep children entertained, including a giant net play structure called "Cloud," a ball pit, a small hill, a hill with a clever feature that creates a breeze when children jump on it, and a "Baby Park" specifically for babies and toddlers up to two years old.

As it's an all-weather playground, you can rest assured even if it rains or snows. It's a versatile facility that can be used for a change of pace for children during travel or when bad weather forces you to change your plans.

 

So, in this article, we introduced Kiraris Hakodate, a new landmark tower that has appeared in Hakodate City.

Kiraris Hakodate is a highly anticipated tourist spot, featuring popular restaurants from Hakodate and interactive facilities that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

Its convenient location near JR Hakodate Station makes it ideal for buying souvenirs or letting children play during any free time before traveling.

When you visit Hakodate, why not stop by Kiraris Hakodate, a new landmark in Hakodate?

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