From the Southeastern of Mount Hakodate, “Tachimachi Cape,” you can gaze out over the sheer cliff coastline and toward the Shimokita and Tsugaru Peninsulas.

Tachimachi Cape (Tachimachi Misaki) is a scenic spot in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, offering sweeping views of the Tsugaru Strait. It is located at the southeastern end of Mount Hakodate, which is famous as a night-viewing spot. On clear days, you can see as far as Aomori Prefecture’s Shimokita Peninsula, making it one of Hakodate’s signature scenic locations. From summer through autumn nights, you can also witness the enchanting lights of squid-fishing boats. This time, we will introduce the charm and highlights of Tachimachi Cape, nearby sightseeing spots, and access information. After sightseeing, be sure to stop by Yachigashira Onsen as well.

1. What makes the "Tachimachi Cape" speical?

The charm of Tachimachi Cape lies in its breathtaking scenery! Perched atop the steep cliffs on the southeastern foot of Mount Hakodate, Tachimachi Cape juts out into the Tsugaru Strait. It is a popular spot for its panoramic view of the open sea ahead and the distant Shimokita Peninsula on the horizon.

Unlike the observation points on Mount Hakodate where you look down on the nightscape, this is a place where you can take in the vast ocean and leisurely enjoy the scenery while feeling the sea breeze.

Even if you’re not a “scenery hunter,” the dynamic landscape will surely capture your attention. It is also recommended as a sunrise spot where you can watch the sun rise from the horizon.

From Tachimachi Cape, you can also see the cityscape of Hakodate. While the night view from Mount Hakodate is famous as one of Japan’s top three nightscapes, the night view from Tachimachi Cape is also beautiful, with the added benefit of fewer crowds. You might even get to enjoy the spectacular view all to yourself.

2. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the view

Tachimachi Cape has a well-maintained walking path. While strolling, you can take in views of Mount Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, and the opposite shore in Aomori Prefecture, allowing for a leisurely visit.

Benches are placed along the promenade, so when you get tired from walking, you can sit down and relax while savoring the magnificent scenery.

From late June to late July, over a thousand pink beach rose (hamanasu) bushes are in full bloom, and in autumn they bear red fruit. Hamanasu has thorns, so please enjoy them visually without touching.

3. The steep cliffs and rugged rocky landscape

From Tachimachi Cape, you can enjoy the dynamic scenery of steep cliffs and rugged rocky terrain. The southern cliffs of Mount Hakodate are dotted with caves, accompanied by many legends and stories. If you’re interested, exploring these tales can be quite fun.

The paths down to the coast, where charming flowers like Ezo stonecrop and beach morning glory bloom, are not very developed. While you can reach areas near the shoreline, please take care not to overexert yourself.

4. Tachimachi Cape Rest Area – Hamanasu Shop

At Tachimachi Cape, there is a seasonal shop called “Tachimachi Cape Rest Area – Hamanasu Shop,” open only during the summer. In addition to classic street food like grilled corn, rice dumplings, and miso oden, you can try the local specialty: whelk oden. Generously skewered with four to five pieces and simmered in oden broth, the whelk is exceptionally delicious. Be sure to give it a try at least once.

5. Nearby Sightseeing Spot ①: Monument of poems by Yosano Hiroshi and Akiko

Let’s now take a look at the sightseeing spots around Tachimachi Cape. First is the “Monument of Poems by Yosano Hiroshi and Akiko,” located near the Tachimachi Cape parking area.

This monument is inscribed with two tanka poems composed by the Yosano couple during their visit to Hakodate in 1931 (Showa 6). In Akiko’s tanka, the “Takuboku” mentioned refers to Ishikawa Takuboku, while “Professor Okada” refers to Kenzo Okada, the founder and director of the Hakodate City Library. These are names of people with deep ties to Hakodate.

6. Nearby Sightseeing Spot ②: Graves of the Ishikawa Takuboku family

Near Tachimachi Cape are also the graves of the Ishikawa Takuboku family. Although Takuboku spent only about four months in Hakodate, he loved the city deeply. Later, when he moved to Tokyo and suffered from tuberculosis, he wrote in a letter to his brother-in-law Iku’u Miyazaki, who lived in Hakodate, “When I die, I want to die in Hakodate.”

Honoring his wish, Takuboku’s remains, after he died of illness in Tokyo, were brought to Hakodate, and the family grave was built overlooking Omorihama, a place he loved during his life. Today, eight members of the Ishikawa Takuboku family are buried here.

7. Nearby Sightseeing Spot ③: Hekketsuhi Monument

Hekketsuhi is a memorial monument dedicated to the soldiers of the former shogunate forces who died during the Boshin War, fought between the new government army led by the Choshu Domain and the former shogunate forces from 1868 to 1869 (Meiji 1 to Meiji 2). This monument, which honors approximately 800 fallen soldiers, was built in 1875 (Meiji 8).

Japan, too, has a history of civil war, and it is not such a distant past. Hekketsuhi is a spot where you can feel the weight of Japanese history.

8. Yachigashira Onsen

After enjoying the spectacular view of Tachimachi Cape, warm up at Yachigashira Onsen, a day-use hot spring at the foot of Mount Hakodate. Yachigashira Onsen first opened in 1953 (Showa 28) and was renovated in 2013 (Heisei 25).

Since its opening, Yachigashira Onsen has been beloved by the local people of Hakodate. Its water is a tea-brown sodium spring, with therapeutic benefits for neuralgia, chronic gastroenteritis, and gynecological conditions. It warms you from the core of your body. Another great feature is its long operating hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take your time to relax and soothe your tired body after walking around Tachimachi Cape and Mount Hakodate.

◎ Access and best time to visit

Finally, here’s how to get to Tachimachi Cape from central Hakodate. If you are using public transportation, take the city tram bound for “Yachigashira Stop” from Hakodate Station, get off at Yachigashira Stop, and walk about 15 minutes to reach Tachimachi Cape. By car, it takes about 15 minutes from Hakodate Station, and there is a parking lot at the cape.

Beach roses (hamanasu) are planted at Tachimachi Cape, blooming beautifully in summer. The cape can be visited year-round, but in winter, the road is closed to cars due to snow. Be sure to check the latest road information on Hakodate City’s official website. The winter scenery of Tachimachi Cape is also beautiful, but please be careful with your footing when visiting.

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From the Southeastern of Mount Hakodate, “Tachimachi Cape,” you can gaze out over the sheer cliff coastline and toward the Shimokita and Tsugaru Peninsulas.