City in Hokkaido, Japan
Hakodate for solo travelers
Is Hakodate good for solo travel?
Hokkaido's southern port has a lively morning seafood market, tram rides, old Western-style streets and a famous night view from Mt. Hakodate. Compact and easy; winters are cold and off-season is quiet.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women, day or night. |
How to meet people in Hakodate
Guesthouses and hostels near the station, counter seating in izakaya and sushi bars, and the morning market. It is small and calm; few organized meetups.
Good things to do alone
- Eat a squid and salmon-roe breakfast at the morning market
- Watch the night view from Mt. Hakodate
- Ride the tram to Yunokawa Onsen
- Walk Motomachi's churches and Hachiman-zaka slope
- Visit Goryokaku Tower for the star fort view
Where to stay in Hakodate
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Hakodate Station and Morning Market | Seafood breakfasts, trains and buses |
| Motomachi–Bay Area | Hillside churches, red-brick warehouses and cafés |
| Yunokawa Onsen | Hot spring hotels near the airport |
| Goryokaku | Star fort, quieter streets and tram access |
Solo travel across Japan
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 5/5 | Limited |
| Kyoto | 5/5 | Limited |
| Osaka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Fukuoka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Hiroshima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sapporo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Okinawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Niseko | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yokohama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kanazawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Takayama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nagoya | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kamakura | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kobe | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakuba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ishigaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nagasaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Miyakojima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakodate | 4/5 | Limited |
| Otaru | 4/5 | Limited |
| Beppu | 4/5 | Limited |
| Matsumoto | 4/5 | Limited |
| Koyasan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sendai | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakone | 3/5 | Limited |
| Kawaguchiko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nikko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shirakawa-go | 3/5 | Limited |
| Furano | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Hakodate good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Hokkaido's southern port has a lively morning seafood market, tram rides, old Western-style streets and a famous night view from Mt.
How do you meet people in Hakodate?
Guesthouses and hostels near the station, counter seating in izakaya and sushi bars, and the morning market. It is small and calm; few organized meetups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Hakodate?
Limited.
Is Hakodate safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women, day or night.
More about Hakodate
Going to Hakodate solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hakodate meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.