Key points of Hakodate Port
- Many cruise ships dock at Wakamatsu Pier, located next to JR Hakodate Station. From the dedicated "Hakodate Cruise Terminal," it's about a 3-minute walk to Hakodate Station, and Hakodate Morning Market and the bay area are also within walking distance.
- Large ships sometimes dock at Minatomachi Wharf, and in that case, since it is a distance from the city center, shuttle buses or taxis are used.
- In fiscal year 2026, 30 ships are scheduled to make 75 port calls. This port town, full of exotic charm, was one of the earliest ports to open in Japan, in 1859.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
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What kind of port is Hakodate Port?
Hakodate Port is located on the Oshima Peninsula at the southern tip of Hokkaido, facing the Tsugaru Strait. Protected by Mount Hakodate, it is a natural harbor with calm waters, and has been called "the port without ropes" and "Tomoe Port" due to its shape. It is also a hub for ferries connecting Honshu and Hokkaido.
According to Hakodate City, 30 cruise ships are scheduled to call at the port a total of 75 times in fiscal year 2026, with approximately 56 of those visits taking place at Wakamatsu Pier in front of the station. Ships such as the Silver Moon and MSC Bellissima (7 times each), the Diamond Princess (6 times), and the Asuka III (5 times) are among those that will make repeated visits.
History of Hakodate Port
| Year | event |
|---|---|
| 1854 | Under the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the United States, it was designated as one of the open ports along with Shimoda (opened the following year, 1855, as a port for supplying firewood, water, and food). |
| 1859 | Following the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and the United States, Motomachi, along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, was opened as an international trading port. Western religion, scholarship, and culture flowed in, giving rise to the exotic atmosphere of Motomachi. |
| 1908 | The Aomori-Hakodate Ferry service began (until 1988). It served as a gateway connecting Honshu and Hokkaido. |
| 2018 | Cruise ship berth at Wakamatsu Pier opens for provisional use. |
| 2022 | The Hakodate Cruise Terminal has been completed at Wakamatsu Pier, allowing passenger ships up to 90,000 gross tons to dock in front of the station. |
| FY2026 | 30 ships, 75 planned port calls. |
Docking location and access
| Main docking locations | Wakamatsu Pier (Hakodate Cruise Terminal) / Large ships may dock at Minatomachi Pier |
|---|---|
| Terminal Address | 12-19 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido |
| JR Hakodate Station | Approximately 3 minutes on foot (approximately 210m) |
| tram | It's about a 5-minute walk to the "Hakodate Station" bus stop. |
| Hakodate Airport | Approximately 20 minutes by taxi |
| Terminal facilities | CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) hall, waiting area, tourist information center, nursing room, and restrooms. Hakodateyama Mountain can be seen from the glass-walled waiting area. |
| If docked at Minatomachi Pier | Since it's a distance from the city center, you'll need to use shuttle buses provided by the cruise line or taxis. Please check the onboard information for details on the schedule. |
Hakodate Cruise Terminal and Wakamatsu Pier are only open when cruise ships are docked, and are for passengers and crew only. The general public is not allowed to enter, and there is no free parking available for visitors.
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
These are the facilities at the Hakodate Cruise Terminal (Wakamatsu Pier) (based on information confirmed from official sources).
| Opening | The museum is only open when cruise ships are docked. |
|---|---|
| Tourist information | There is a tourist information center inside the terminal. |
| 駅 | It's located next to JR Hakodate Station, and you can walk to the area around the station where there are ATMs. |
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
Terminal facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and time of year. (Date confirmed: September 29, 2026 Source:Hakodate City "Hakodate Cruise Terminal"）
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
Wakamatsu Wharf is next to JR Hakodate Station. You can find nearby supermarkets and drugstores on the map below. For information on landing procedures, duty-free shopping, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
Walking tour (2-3 hours)
- Hakodate Morning MarketLocated right behind Wakamatsu Wharf. There are restaurants serving seafood rice bowls and places where you can experience squid fishing.
- Bay Area Kanemori Red Brick WarehouseA shopping area utilizing a group of warehouses from the Meiji era.
- Mashu Maru: A museum commemorating the Seikan Ferry. Located near Hakodate Station, it offers a glimpse into the port's history.
By tram and cable car (half day)
- Motomachi/Hachimanzaka: Churches andFormer Hakodate Ward Public HallA town lined with slopes. From Hachiman-zaka slope, you can look down on the harbor and passenger ships.
- Mount HakodateTake the ropeway to the mountaintop. If the ship stays overnight, you can also enjoy the famous night view.
- Goryokaku: The ruins of a star-shaped fortress.Goryokaku TowerYou can see the whole view from here.
Port town cuisine
- Squid: A representative flavor of Hakodate. The translucent "live squid sashimi" is a specialty of this port town.
- Seafood rice bowl: Enjoy Hokkaido's seafood, including sea urchin, salmon roe, and crab, at the morning market.
- Hakodate Shio Ramen: A local ramen dish characterized by its clear, salty broth.
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Port town gourmet guide:Squid from Hakodate Port and seafood rice bowl from the morning market(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
These are seafood restaurants around Hakodate Port. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will allow you to check its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether the restaurant is open on the day of the port call.
Cruise ship viewing and photography spots
Here are some things to keep in mind when viewing cruise ships at Hakodate Port (based on information confirmed from official sources).
| Wakamatsu Wharf | Located right next to JR Hakodate Station and behind the Hakodate Morning Market, it offers views of cruise ships from the city center. However, due to limited space on the pier, access is restricted to authorized personnel only. |
|---|---|
| parking | There is no free parking available for visitors. Please use public transportation or nearby paid parking lots. |
When and which ship will arrive can be found in the section below titled "Passenger ships arriving at this port" orCruise ship arrivals scheduled for this week and next week.You can check this. Arrival and departure times may change due to weather conditions, etc. (Date checked: September 30, 2026 Source:Hakodate City: "Regarding viewing cruise ships entering Wakamatsu Pier"）
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Mon, Oct 5 This weekNorwegian JadeArr. 11:00 / Dep. 18:30
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekLuminaraArr. 07:30 / Dep. 15:00
- Fri, Oct 9MSC BellissimaArr. 06:00 / Dep. 20:00
- Fri, Oct 9WesterdamArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 12Norwegian JadeArr. 09:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Tue, Oct 13Seabourn EncoreArr. 08:00 / Dep. 21:00
- Wed, Oct 14Navigator of the SeasArr. 06:30 / Dep. 23:00
- Wed, Oct 14Silver MoonArr. 08:30 / Dep. 18:30
- Thu, Oct 15Seven Seas ExplorerArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 16Costa SerenaArr. 07:30 / Dep. 20:00
- Sun, Oct 18MSC BellissimaArr. 07:30 / Dep. 18:30
- Wed, Oct 21WesterdamArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 24Norwegian JadeArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 24MITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 07:30 / Dep. 21:00
- Mon, Oct 26ASUKA IIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Tue, Oct 27MSC BellissimaArr. 07:30 / Dep. 18:30
- Thu, Oct 29Spectrum of the SeasArr. 07:30 / Dep. 19:00
- Fri, Oct 30Diamond PrincessArr. 09:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Sat, Oct 31Seabourn EncoreArr. 08:00 / Dep. 21:00
- Sat, Oct 31Norwegian JadeArr. 11:00 / Dep. 18:30
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- Norwegian Jade4 calls
- Spectrum of the Seas3 calls
- ASUKA III3 calls
- Diamond Princess3 calls
- ASUKA II3 calls
- Silver Moon3 calls
- MSC Bellissima3 calls
- Westerdam2 calls
- Seabourn Encore2 calls
- Celebrity Millennium1 call
- Pacific World1 call
- SH Minerva1 call
- Luminara1 call
- Navigator of the Seas1 call
- Seven Seas Explorer1 call
- Costa Serena1 call
- MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1Is it possible to walk from the cruise terminal to Hakodate Station?
Yes. It's about a 3-minute walk from the Hakodate Cruise Terminal at Wakamatsu Pier to JR Hakodate Station. Hakodate Morning Market is right behind it, and the bay area is also within walking distance.
Q2What should I do if my ship docks at Minatomachi Wharf?
Since Minatomachi Wharf is located away from the city center, you will need to use shuttle buses provided by the shipping company or taxis. Please check the onboard information regarding the docking location and the availability of shuttle buses.
Q3Can I tour the cruise ship?
Due to limited space on the quay at Wakamatsu Wharf, entry is restricted to authorized personnel only. Please view the pier from nearby public areas. There is no free parking available for visitors.
Q4Where can I check the scheduled port calls?
Hakodate City: "Cruise ship arrival schedule for fiscal year 2026"You can check it there.
Q5Are there tourist information centers or ATMs?
There is a tourist information center inside the Hakodate Cruise Terminal (open only when cruise ships are docked). The terminal is next to JR Hakodate Station, and you can walk to ATMs in the area around the station. If you want to withdraw Japanese yen with a card issued overseas, Seven Bank ATMs (at Seven-Eleven stores, etc.) and Japan Post Bank ATMs are convenient. You can find them on the map in the "Convenient Port Information" section of this page.
Q6Is it possible to see cruise ships at Wakamatsu Pier in Hakodate Port?
Wakamatsu Pier is located next to JR Hakodate Station, and cruise ships can be seen from the city center. However, due to limited space on the pier, access is restricted to authorized personnel only. There is also no free parking available for visitors.
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Hakodate City "Hakodate Cruise Terminal"
- Hakodate City: "Cruise ship arrival schedule for fiscal year 2026"
- Hakodate City: "Regarding viewing cruise ships entering Wakamatsu Pier"
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hakodate Development and Construction Department, "Hakodate Port, Wakamatsu Wharf"
- Hakobura: "Hakodate Cruise Terminal Completed at Wakamatsu Pier" (September 2022)
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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