Authentic Japanese Sweets in Hakodate: 5 Unique Cafes Worth Visiting

Hakodate is not only known for the night view from Mount Hakodate, Goryokaku, and the charming streets of Motomachi. Beyond that, you can also discover Hakodate’s authentic Japanese sweets culture by visiting the cafes around the city. From old houses dating back to the Taisho era to long-established shops with more than 160 years of history, each place reflects the dedication of local artisans. In this article, we would like to introduce five carefully selected cafes where you can enjoy authentic Japanese sweets. Whether you want to take a break during your sightseeing or simply enjoy Japanese sweets, there is a cafe that suits you.

Soft, Delicate Tofu Shiratama: Hakodate Sakuraya

Located at Hiyorizaka in Hakodate’s Motomachi area, “Hakodate Sakuraya” is a Japanese-style cafe beloved by the locals. One of the cafe’s most popular dishes, the “Kuma-san Tofu Shiratama Parfait,” features a cute bear-shaped monaka wafer, with sweet red bean paste made from Hokkaido-grown azuki beans slowly cooked and placed at the bottom, topped with ice cream and seasonal fruit. The shiratama (soft and chewy Japanese rice-flour dumplings) are made in three colors and flavored with salted cherry blossoms and matcha.

Unlike regular shiratama made simply by kneading glutinous rice flour with water, the one here are made by adding silken tofu. This creates a soft, fluffy texture with a subtle tofu flavor. On slightly chilly days, it is also recommended to change the parfait to warm “oshiruko.” The slight saltiness balances the sweetness, and the taste highlights the texture of the shiratama itself.

Hakodate Sakuraya is also a popular anime spot featured in Love Live! Sunshine!!. The “Tofu Shiratama Zenzai” eaten by the school idol group “Aqours” in the anime was based on this cafe. Many anime fans visit the cafe to experience the real-life locations featured in the series and enjoy the sweets for themselves.

• Address：14-6 Motomachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Hours：10:00〜17:00
• Closed：Thursdays
• Official Site：Instagram 、X

A Japanese-Style Afternoon Tea Experience: Sabo Kikuizumi

Built in 1921, “Sabo Kikuizumi” was originally constructed as a second residence for a sake merchant and is located along the walking route through Hakodate’s Motomachi area. The building still retains the distinctive charm of traditional wooden architecture. As you step inside, you are surrounded by a tatami-floored space and a traditional Japanese atmosphere. It feels as though you have stepped back in time, experiencing the nostalgic atmosphere that has been passed down since Hakodate opened its port.

One of Sabo Kikuizumi’s popular menu is the grilled dango set that you can cook yourself. Using the small hibachi provided at your table, you slowly grill the dango until the surface is lightly browned, then enjoy them with your choice of red bean paste, kuromitsu kinako (roasted soybean flour with brown sugar syrup), or a sweet-and-savory soy sauce. Being able to grill your own dango while taking in the atmosphere of an old traditional house makes this a uniquely Japanese experience. If you are interested in historic architecture, anime-related locations, or experiencing Hakodate’s culture, be sure to stop by while exploring Motomachi.

This is also a popular spot among fans of Love Live! Sunshine!!. The home of the Kazuno sisters, members of the school idol group “Saint Snow” who appear in the anime, was modeled after this building. Since the anime first aired in 2017, many fans have visited the location to take photos and experience a place connected to the series, making it one of the most distinctive spots in the Motomachi area.

• Address：Address: 14-5 Motomachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Hours：10:00~17:30
• Official Site：https://www.sabokikuizumi.com/
• Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/sabou.kikuizumi/

Enjoy Tea While Waiting for the Sunset: Tea Shop Yuhi

Located in the west district of Hakodate, Tea Shop Yuhi is housed in the former Hakodate Quarantine Station, built in 1885 and renovated into a tea shop. It is located near the Foreigners’ Cemetery, overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. With its atmospheric building and expansive sea views, it is one of the best cafes in Hakodate to enjoy the sunset.

At the cafe, you can enjoy Japanese teas such as sencha (steamed green tea), matcha (powdered green tea), and hojicha (roasted green tea), as well as a matcha cake set. The rich flavour of matcha is paired with a Japanese-style sweet, creating a delicate balance between bitterness and sweetness. It is also a perfect place to stop by and relax. Beyond the sweets, you can also experience the delicate flavours of Japanese tea and traditional confectionery culture.
 

The greatest attraction of Tea Shop Yuhi is the sea view, which slowly changes as time passes. As the sun begins to set, the sky and sea gradually turn golden, and sometimes you can even see boats slowly making their way across the water. The shop was named Yuhi, meaning “sunset,” after this beautiful view. Since it is open until sunset, it is recommended to arrive about an hour before sunset if you want to take your time enjoying the scenery. Find a seat by the window and spend a relaxing moment watching the sunset while enjoying matcha and Japanese sweets.

• Address：25-18 Funamicho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Hours：12:00~Sunset
• Closed：Wednesdays, Thursdays, and winter (early December–early March)
• Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/teashopyuhi/

Traditional Sweets from a Long-Established Shop with Over 100 Years of History: Sensyuan Sohonke

Founded in 1860, “Sensyuan Sohonke” is one of Hakodate’s longest-established confectionery shops. The shop sells a variety of traditional Japanese sweets, including yokan, monaka, manju, and seasonal namagashi. Each sweet is made with traditional methods that preserve the original flavours of the ingredients. The smooth, finely textured red bean paste has a restrained sweetness, with combinations of glutinous rice, agar, and other different types of confectionery wrappers with a variety of textures. You can also notice the Japanese artisan approach to craftsmanship, with careful attention paid to every detail.

In 2024, the main store in Horai-cho reopened after renovations. An old warehouse that originally stood on the site was converted into an indoor seating area so customers can relax and enjoy the Japanese sweets they ordered. For drinks, you can choose from hand-drip coffee from Hakodate’s long-established Jujiya Coffee, as well as green tea, hojicha, and matcha. The fluffy soufflé-style dorayaki and “Gohou Castella,” made in collaboration with the Nanae Town brewery Hakodate Jozō using sake lees and junmai ginjo, are limited flavors unique to Sensyuan Sohonke.

• Address：9-9 Horai-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Hours：9:30～18:00
• Closed：Wednesdays
• Official Site：https://sensyuansohonke.co.jp/index.html

Handmade Namagashi by Skilled Artisans: Wagashi HITOHIRA

Unlike long-established shops specializing in traditional Japanese sweets, “Wagashi HITOHIRA” offers a more contemporary take on Japanese confectionery. While still respecting traditional Japanese confectionery techniques, the shop incorporates modern designs and ideas, creating sweets that are more than simply desserts. They are seasonal works of art that combine flavor and beauty.

The namagashi sold in the shop change with the seasons, with different varieties available in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Ingredients such as seasonal fruits, chestnuts, and matcha are incorporated to fully express the changing seasons through both flavour and appearance. The delicate designs sometimes resemble flowers in full bloom, and at other times autumn leaves or winter snow-covered landscapes, reflecting the careful craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Their seasonal nature is part of the appeal, and when you visit again, you may find completely different Japanese sweets from your previous visit.

You can take the sweets home as souvenirs and enjoy them at your leisure, but the shop also has a cafe space where you can also enjoy freshly made sweets with tea and take your time appreciating the charm of traditional Japanese confectionery. For those who want to discover a modern style of Japanese sweets that differs from the traditional offerings of long-established shops, “Wagashi HITOHIRA” is highly recommended.

• Address：851-13 Nishikikyo-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Hours：9:00〜18:00
• Official Site：https://www.sweets-hitohira.com/
• Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/wagashi_hitohira/

To Conclude,

As you cafe-hop around Hakodate, you can discover unique stories and flavors at each shop from the Tofu Shiratama at Hakodate Sakuraya and enjoy grilled dango in a traditional house at Sabo Kikuizumi, to the century-old Japanese sweets at Sensyuan Sohonke and the delicate seasonal namagashi at Wagashi HITOHIRA. Meanwhile, at The Tea Shop Yuhi, the time spent waiting for the sunset over the Tsugaru Strait while enjoying a cup of tea adds a relaxing and romantic moment to your journey. Whether you love traditional Japanese sweets, historic buildings, anime-related locations, or simply want to find a place to relax and enjoy Japanese sweets, Hakodate offers something for everyone. With a bite of something sweet and a cup of tea or coffee, why not create a memorable travel experience?