HAKODATE Travel Tips

〜Hakodate through my lens: Real stories, Real advice〜


Best Late-Night Snacks from Hakodate Kaisen Ichiba to Enjoy in Your Hotel

After a long day of sightseeing in Hakodate, there’s nothing better than relaxing in your hotel room with some local delicacies. “Hakodate Kaisen Ichiba (Main Store)” in the Bay Area is the perfect place to pick up premium snacks and souvenirs. Here are four must-buy items for a perfect “in-room party” or a treat for yourself!

1. A Toast with “Sapporo Classic” Beer

If you’re in Hokkaido, this is the beer you must choose. Made with 100% malt and no additives, Sapporo Classic is sold exclusively in Hokkaido. Its deep yet refreshing taste is the perfect way to end your day. Grab a few cans and chill them in your hotel fridge for the ultimate local experience.

Two cans of Sapporo Classic beer and a pack of Carl Raymon sausages on a table.
The taste of Hokkaido: Sapporo Classic beer and Carl Raymon sausages.

2. Carl Raymon Sausages: A Legendary Hakodate Taste

Carl Raymon has been a beloved brand in Hakodate for nearly 100 years. Their authentic sausages are available at the market, and if you’re staying at a hotel with a kitchenette, you’re in luck!

💡 Hotelier’s Tip: How to cook them like a pro

  1. Boil: Place them in a pan with a little water and boil to lock in the juices.
  2. Grill: Discard the water and lightly grill the surface until golden brown. The snap of the casing and the juicy meat inside make them the perfect companion for beer!
Four golden-brown grilled sausages served on a white plate next to a can of beer.
Perfectly grilled sausages—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

3. Adorable Animal-Themed Drip Coffee

For the next morning, don’t forget to pick up some “Taisetsu Coffee” drip bags. These feature adorable illustrations of Hokkaido’s wildlife, including the famous “Shima-enaga” (Long-tailed tit), a baby owl, and even a cute Shiba Inu! These single-serve drip bags allow you to enjoy professional-grade coffee in your hotel mug.

  • Three colorful coffee drip bags with photos of a Long-tailed tit bird, a baby owl, and a Shiba Inu dog.
    Too cute to drink? Animal-themed drip bags featuring a Long-tailed tit, owl, and Shiba Inu.
  • Hand-drip coffee packets featuring illustrations of cute Hokkaido birds and animals on the shelf.
    Cute hand-drip coffee packages.

4. Warning: The “Stamp Cheese” Packaging Secret

These assorted snacks are popular souvenirs, but here is a bit of honest advice from a local hotelier.

The box features beautiful “postage stamp” illustrations of various Hokkaido landscapes. You might expect the individual cheese snacks inside to have the same designs, but once you open the box… they are actually wrapped in plain silver foil.

An open box of Hokkaido Premium Cheese showing 12 individually foil-wrapped pieces next to beer cans.
Delicious cheese with a beautiful outer box—just remember the inside is simple!

If you’re planning to hand these out individually as gifts, don’t be too surprised by the simple interior! That said, the taste is excellent—made with 100% Hokkaido milk—so they are perfect for your own snack time.

Enjoy every moment of your Hakodate journey, and travel safe!

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