Hakodate Morning Market

Hakodate Asaichi is a large market in Hakodate, Hokkaido, with approximately 250 stores, offering a wide variety of seafood and other local products. This market is located near JR Hakodate Station and is known as one of Hakodate’s most popular tourist attractions, with restaurants where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood bowls.

The history of Hakodate morning market began in 1945 after the war, when farmers sold vegetables on the street. Since then, the market has been relocated three times before settling in its current location.

There are many unique stores at the morning market. For example, at “Kajiwara Kombu Store,” visitors can see how the precious “Gagome kelp” from the seas around Hakodate is shaved into oboro kelp by hand. At Kashime Suisan, fresh squid from the seas around Hakodate is grilled to order and is very popular. In addition, at Hakodate Whale Shop, visitors can obtain rare whale bacon and other items. In addition, at the “Original Live Squid Fishing Pond,” visitors can catch their own fresh squid and have it sliced into squid sashimi on the spot. As you explore the Hakodate morning market, you will find rare items and things that can only be found here, and you are sure to find your favorite restaurant.

A must-do experience at the morning market is the “live squid fishing pond,” where you can catch your own fresh live squid that arrived that morning. When fishing for squid, try the method of hooking the hook over the squid’s ear (squid’s emperors).

In addition to the streets where street stores are clustered, such as Asaichi Boulevard, Asaichi Naka-dori Street, and Tomoe-dori Street, Hakodate Asaichi facilities such as Donburi Yokocho Market, Ekini Market, and Hakodate Asaichi Hiroba also have their own unique characteristics. For example, Hakodate Asaichi Hiroba, which opened in April 2014, is a complex facility consisting of a “product street” with fruit and vegetable stores and flower shops, a “produce market” run by agricultural producers, and a “food court” offering seafood bowls, ramen noodles, boxed lunches, and more. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant time at the Hakodate Morning Market, where a wide variety of stores are gathered.

The Hakodate morning market has its roots in the standing sales of vegetables and fruits in front of Hakodate Station by farmers from neighboring towns and villages who brought their produce to the market immediately after the end of the war. In 1947, the market moved to its current location near City Hall, but as it grew in size, it was relocated to its current location in 1956. Since then, it has flourished as a major distribution center for Hakodate’s food products.

Enjoy talking with the shopkeepers, as most of them will kindly tell you anything you want to know.

In addition, the shop has developed unique new services such as “Select Morning Market” and “Tamatebako,” a special assortment of products that deliver the taste of hometowns to all over Japan.