Neighbourhood in Hakodate
Motomachi
元町
Hakodate's hillside district of churches and Western-style halls from the port's early days, with slopes down to the bay and the ropeway up Mount Hakodate.
- places to see
- 8
- walk past the highlights
- 2.6 km
- Hokkaido
- Hakodate
Motomachi lies on the lower slopes of Mount Hakodate, and many of the city's main sights are clustered here: the Hachiman-zaka slope, the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, Motomachi Park and the Mount Hakodate Ropeway. When Hakodate opened as a port to foreign ships, consulates and churches were built here, giving the streets a look found in few other Japanese cities.
The Russian consulate's chapel is where Eastern Orthodox Christianity was introduced to Japan in 1861, and the Hakodate Orthodox Church with its green domes stands near Catholic and Anglican churches. Walk down any slope to the red brick warehouses on the bay. More of the city is in our Hakodate guide.
Don't miss in Motomachi
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Hakodate Orthodox Church
函館ハリストス正教会White Russian-style church with green domes, the symbol of Motomachi.
2. Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
旧函館区公会堂Blue and yellow Western-style hall on the hillside, with a balcony over the harbour.
3. Catholic Motomachi Church
カトリック元町教会Gothic Catholic church a few steps from the Orthodox church.
4. Motomachi Park
元町公園Hillside park in front of the old public hall, with views down the slopes to the port.
5. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses
金森赤レンガ倉庫Red brick warehouses on the bay, now shops and restaurants.
6. Mount Hakodate Ropeway
函館山ロープウェイRopeway up Mount Hakodate for one of Japan's most famous night views.
Walk Motomachi in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 2.6 km in all.
Stop 1
Hakodate Orthodox Church
Start here
Stop 2
Catholic Motomachi Church
1 min walk
Stop 3
Motomachi Park
6 min walk
Stop 4
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
1 min walk
Stop 5
Mount Hakodate Ropeway
10 min walk
Stop 6
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses
16 min walk
More around Motomachi
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Hakodate City Museum of Literature
函館市文学館A museum in Hokkaido, Japan.
Hokkaido Sakamoto Ryoma Museum
北海道坂本龍馬記念館A museum in Hokkaido, Japan.
Motomachi on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
How do I get to Motomachi in Hakodate?
Take the tram from Hakodate Station to Suehiro-cho or Jujigai, about ten minutes, then walk up the slopes.
Can I visit the churches in Motomachi?
Yes, the Orthodox and Catholic churches usually let visitors in during the day, except during services. Small donations are welcome.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
