[2025 Hakodate Attraction] Travel Guide for Yukura Shrine (Updated May)

Cherry blossoms are the whispers of spring. In Hakodate, each petal is touched by sea mist and morning light. This port city blends Western influences and Eastern charm into the cherry blossoms, weaving a pale pink and white scroll. On the first day, head to Goryokaku, a star-shaped fortress surrounded by thousands of Somei Yoshino cherry trees. Ascend the tower for a panoramic view, and the fortress transforms into a medal falling into a pink sea of clouds. Fallen petals float on the moat, and visitors stroll slowly along the wooden bridge with umbrellas. Turn a corner to encounter a girl in a kimono, her sleeves and the drooping branches swaying in the breeze, and the essence of spring flows from the folds. The next morning, sunlight spills over Mount Hakodate. Hike to Hakodate Park, where century-old weeping cherry trees spread out their massive floral domes. The bark is cracked like an old man's hand, holding up a tree full of youthful beauty. In the afternoon, a streetcar clangs along Motomachi Slope, and at the end of Hachiman Slope, the cherry blossoms meet the sea. In the evening, take the cable car up the mountain. As dusk falls, millions of lights gradually light up, and the night cherry blossoms float semi-transparently in the halo of colored lights, like a beaded curtain hanging from the heavenly market. On the third day, head to Yukura Shrine. The stone steps of the approach are covered with a pale red hue. The sound of an ancient bell startles the birds, and the petals shaken off as they flap their wings scatter into the morning incense smoke. In the afternoon, stroll through the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. The scent of the sea mixes with the sweetness of cherry blossoms, seeping into the brick cracks. Find a cafe to sit down, and outside the glass window, the shadows of the flowers are mottled. A salted cherry blossom floats in the latte in your cup. Three days is short, but enough to engrave the spring of Hakodate into your memory. The cherry blossoms here are not as bright as those in Kyoto, but they have a unique clarity that has been washed by the sea breeze. When the last petal falls into the Tsugaru Strait, the reflections of the star-shaped castle, the light spots at the end of the slope, and the whispers of the night cherry blossoms and lights will eventually transform into a gentle itch in your heart when the spring breeze rises again in some year.

#aprilblooms The shrine of Yukura Shrine has a myth related to "Usagi", so you can see many things with rabbit motifs in the precincts. On the money box, there is a wood-carved rabbit held by the enshrined deity, and next to the main hall, there is a "snode rabbit" that is said to fulfil a wish while stroking. In addition, white rabbits such as "Healing Hammer" and "Temari Usagi", which are said to make the wish of curing the disease come true, and the brightly coloured hand hammer signboard are also gaining popularity as photo spots. There are also many types of omikuji, such as "Usagi Gobu" and "Ika Suomikuji", which is related to Hakodate's specialty "Squid".

This trip is to Hokkaido and southern Hokkaido. After arriving from Chitose Airport, we traveled all the way from the first stop, Noboribetsu Hell Valley, to staying at the Seishuitei Hot Spring Hotel in the evening. The hot spring here is the best hot spring to experience during this trip. Soak in it in the evening and again in the morning. , very comfortable and relaxing! The next day, we continued down to Knicks Ocean Park to see penguins walking, seal performances, and the indoor ocean world, which was very exciting! Next, on the way to Showa Shinzan, you will pass by Lake Toya. Because it is located in an active volcanic crater, the lake does not freeze in winter. The scenery around the lake is so beautiful and peaceful that you don't want to leave. We walked further down to Showa Shinzan, but unfortunately it wasn't cold enough and we couldn't see the smoke on the mountain. You can feed apple biscuits at the bear ranch next to it. Next we went to Hakodate and visited Yukura Shrine and Kanamori Warehouse (the seat of literary youth), which are worth visiting. Finally, we arrived at Goryokaku Park and went up to the bottom of Goryokaku Tower for a panoramic view! The view is quite spectacular. #Noboribetsu Hell Valley#Shishuitei#Nix Marine Park#Showa New Mountain#Toya Lake View#Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse#Clown Burger#Clown Burger#Noboribetsu Bear Ranch#Yangkura Shrine#Goryokaku Park#Goryokaku Tower