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Experience the Finest of Hakodate Gastronomy
Perched upon the shoreline of the Yunokawa Onsen, overlooking the Tsugaru Strait, stands Kappo Ryokan Wakamatsu. Since its founding in 1922, this sanctuary of Hakodate gastronomy has welcomed esteemed guests, including Emperor Showa. Today, this historic establishment draws food connoisseurs from around the globe—not only for its storied past but for its “authentic hospitality” that embraces the diverse culinary backgrounds of every traveler.
Deepening Tradition through Food Diversity
The Michelin-starred kitchen of Wakamatsu presents a pinnacle of Kaiseki cuisine. Here, diverse dietary requirements such as Halal and Vegan are not viewed as “restrictions,” but rather as “keys to unlocking the purity of the ingredients.” By eschewing alcohol-based seasonings and harnessing the umami of Ma-kombu(premium kelp) alongside the wisdom of traditional fermentation, they craft exquisite Halal Kaiseki. Their Vegan Kaiseki, which draws out the vibrant vitality of local mushrooms and root vegetables without animal-based dashi, breathes life into the spirit of Hakodate—a port city that has long thrived on accepting and sublimating different cultures. Within the refined Sukiya-style architecture, each dish enjoyed against the horizon realizes a table where everyone, regardless of dietary habits, can share the same profound emotion.
Touching the Earth, Tracing the Roots: Experiential Gastronomy at Laura♡Farm
To truly understand the “roots” of the sophisticated dishes served at Wakamatsu, a visit to Laura♡Farm in the city is essential. This farm experience is curated and operated by Discover Southern Hokkaido, experts who possess an intimate knowledge of the region’s hidden charms. Here, you can encounter the “form of life” before it reaches the dining table. Under the gentle sunlight, the experience of harvesting sturdy sweet potato vines with your own hands allows you to feel the raw energy of the earth directly against your skin.
Following the harvest, guests participate in the powerful communal tradition of Mochi-tsuki (pounding rice cakes), feeling the warmth of the freshly made mochi, before whisking matcha in an atmosphere of serene stillness. By participating in the harvest and the process of preparation, the gastronomic experience transforms into a physical, deeply personal narrative. The refinement of Wakamatsu and the warmth of the soil at Laura♡Farm—it is the union of these two contrasting experiences that completes the terroir of Hakodate.
A City-wide Cultivation of Culinary Diversity
This commitment to food diversity extends beyond specific hubs like Wakamatsu and Laura♡Farm, rippling through the entire Hakodate and Southern Hokkaido area. At the Hakodate Morning Market, the city’s kitchen, travelers from around the world gather around the freshest squid and sea urchin. Even at Hakodate Airport, the final stop of the journey, vegan menus concentrated with the umami of local vegetables bid a warm farewell to departing travelers.
Gastronomy in Hakodate is more than just enjoying the bounty of nature; it is about tilling the soil yourself, touching traditional practices, and honoring the backgrounds of the travelers sitting beside you. The prestige and innovation upheld by the venerable Wakamatsu, combined with the joy of harvest taught at Laura♡Farm, weave a story of borderless gastronomy. It is a narrative that will undoubtedly leave a deep and lasting resonance in the palate and memory of all who visit.
Discover Southern Hokkaido：https://discover-donan.com
