This guide covers how to reach Esashi from Hakodate, the old merchant street, the Oiwake Hall, Kamome Island, lunch and the practical details for a visit.
The former Hiyama-Nishi District Office in Esashi was built in the Meiji era as a district office governing the Hiyama and Nishi districts. The sections below follow the route from Hakodate, the old merchant street, the Oiwake Hall, Kamome Island, lunch and the practical details.
Getting to Esashi
A through bus runs from in front of Hakodate Station to Esashi Town. The main legs are set out in the table below.
Which stop to use depends on where the walk begins. Passengers heading for Kamome Island should get off at the Ubagami-cho Ferry-mae stop. From Nakauta-cho, the Former Nakamura Family Merchant House is a short walk away.
| From | Line and operator | Time or fare |
|---|---|---|
| Hakodate Station to the Nakauta-cho and Ubagami-cho Ferry-mae stop | Route 610 bus | About 2 hours, 2,500 yen |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to Esashi | Bus | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to the Nakauta-cho and Ubagami-cho Ferry-mae stop | Bus | 2,000 yen |
| Hakodate to Esashi | Car | About 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 km |
| Nakauta-cho stop to the Former Nakamura Family Merchant House | On foot | About 5 minutes |
The Inishie Kaido, the Merchant House and the District Office
The Inishie Kaido street was widened and improved, so traffic can run in either direction. The Former Nakamura Family Merchant House is open from morning until late afternoon.
The former Hiyama-Nishi District Office, which holds the Esashi Town Local History Museum, is open from morning until late afternoon as well.
Esashi Oiwake Hall
The hall was built by townspeople and Oiwake fans. The Yama Museum permanently displays some of the town's festival floats, rotated every year.
Live performances at the hall are given at set times, listed in the tables at the end. Live performances of the Esashi Oiwake conclude for this year on the last day of October.
The Oiwake Learning Room is open to visitors, and the tables at the end give its hours.
Kamome Island and the Kaiyo Maru
Kamome Island is a small island connected to the mainland by a breakwater. The walking path on Kamome Island can be walked all the way around at a slow pace.
| Kamome Island walk | Figure |
|---|---|
| Around the island | About 2.6 kilometers |
| Full loop on foot at a slow pace | About 2 hrs |
Senjojiki is a pattern worn by waves into the east side of Kamome Island, shaped like many tatami mats laid out. The Matsumae domain placed coastal defense batteries on top of Kamome Island in the Kaei era.
The Kaiyo Maru Memorial Museum is shut for demolition work on the management building of the Kaiyo Maru Youth Center.
Herring Soba for Lunch
At the restaurant Tsubanakan, herring soba is on the menu. The fees table at the end gives the price.
Teuchi Soba Nagomi can make a limited number of herring soba sets at a time, so customers should call in advance to check before ordering. It closes when it sells out.
Hours and Fees, and Winter Closures
Because the ride between Hakodate and Esashi is long, it helps to settle the way back before the day begins. From November to March, the Former Nakamura Family Merchant House and the former district office are closed every Monday and the day after a holiday.
The Oiwake Hall follows the same pattern in winter and has no closing days from April to October. The tables below give the times, the closing days and the amounts in that order.
| Place | Times |
|---|---|
| Former Nakamura Family Merchant House, hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Former Hiyama-Nishi District Office, hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Esashi Oiwake Hall and Yama Hall, hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Oiwake live performances | 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 |
| Oiwake Learning Room, hours | 10:00 to 16:00 |
| Teuchi Soba Nagomi, hours | 11:30 to 15:00, last order 14:30 |
| Teuchi Soba Nagomi, November to March | 11:30 to 14:00 |
| Place | Closing days |
|---|---|
| Nakamura House and District Office, November to March | Closed every Monday and the day after a holiday |
| Oiwake Hall, November to March | Closed on Mondays and the day after a holiday |
| Oiwake Hall, year-end and New Year | Closed from December 31 to January 5 |
| Oiwake live performances, last day this year | October 31 |
| Kaiyo Maru Memorial Museum | Shut for demolition work on the Kaiyo Maru Youth Center management building |
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Former Nakamura Family Merchant House, single ticket | 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary to high school students |
| Former Hiyama-Nishi District Office, single ticket | 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary to high school students |
| Esashi Oiwake Hall and Yama Hall | 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for elementary to high school students |
| Former Nakamura Family Merchant House, aged 70 and over | Free |
| Tsubanakan, herring soba | 950 yen |
| Tsubanakan, herring oyako don set meal | 1,100 yen |
Since the trip starts from Hakodate, it helps to have a base there. Browse places to stay in Hakodate.
Where to stay
Places to stay near Hakodate →
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.