What other travelers are saying about Hakodate Morning Market
After much anticipation fueled by online research, our first morning in Hakodate was dedicated to the renowned Morning Market. The experience exceeded expectations, so much so that a return trip solely for the culinary delights – both immediate consumption and ingredients for future cooking – is already in the works. The market's multiple food courts lived up to their reputation, serving incredibly fresh seafood as widely praised in online reviews and on YouTube. Do note some stalls especially those that have their prices displayed for not allowed photo taking.
I came here to shop abit, and find food. U can actually negotiate cheaper on the price with store owners. The shop selling seafood stuff was very friendly and generous in handing out samples to test and eat. (Refer to my pictures for the right store.) The strawberry store owner oso gave some discount. The oysters and ramen and sashimi at the eating corner were all nice and fresh. Come and support this hidden gem area. @benwhoah hahaha
Hakodate morning market is THE market to visit if you are a seafood lover- especially for shellfish. You will see repeating stalls selling the crab, fruits, donburi, and grilled squid.
We tried alaskan king crab and mud crab here in which the flesh was meaty, sweet and fresh. One of the eateries we visited offered mini donburi in which you can pick 3 type of seafood of your choice for 1800 yen.
Uni was exceptionally sweet and did not have a fishy aftertaste. We also tried the melons and strawberries which were juicy and exceptionally sweet. Must visit.
Hakodate morning market is truly a morning market that opens at 6am. It is THE PLACE to get fresh seafood. You can get an entire king crab for only about ~8000 yen, which is very affordable. In US, it would cost at least 2x this price. And trust me, get the whole crab boiled, not baked. I made the mistake of getting half boiled and half baked because I didn't know any better. But boiled is way better as the crab meat stays juicy. If you baked it the meat will dry up too much.
Hakodate Morning Market is a paradise for seafood lovers, offering a vast selection of fresh, live crabs, fish, and squid to choose from. The market’s vendors are incredibly welcoming and friendly, offering generous samples and attentive service. I enjoyed three meals here, each freshly prepared and impeccably clean, with prices that were exactly as expected—no surprises. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the freshest seafood Hakodate has to offer.
