On the walk to Hachiman-zaka, we pass a few of the other “19 slopes of Motomachi”, including Daisan-zaka pictured below.

Steep incline at the lower end of Daisan-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Steep incline at the lower end of Daisan-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

The corner building from the previous photo is home to a used-goods shop that seems to feature a rather eclectic selection of items.

View through the shop window of a used-goods store in the Motomachi area of Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
View through the shop window of a used-goods store in the Motomachi area of Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

After walking for a few more minutes, we reach Hachiman-zaka Slope, and start the climb. The views are getting better with each step, and it is getting obvious why this spot is so popular with visitors.

View down Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan, towards the ocean and Hakodate Port. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
View down Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan, towards the ocean and Hakodate Port. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

With all those scenic views at hand, it is easy to forget that this is a residential area that includes vehicle traffic. The city put up some signs to remind people about the importance of acting in a safety-conscious way.

Warning sign at Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Warning sign at Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

At the top of the hill, the maximum depth of the scenic view unfolds. I found that condensing the view by using a larger zoom resulted in a quite pleasant impression, as shown in the last photo of this story.

View down Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan, towards the ocean and Hakodate Port. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
View down Hachiman-zaka Slope in Hakodate, Japan, towards the ocean and Hakodate Port. © 2025 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

For more photos from the Motomachi district of Hakodate, please see the post linked below.

All photos shot with iPhone 15 Pro. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic.

写真の撮影場所:北海道・函館市・八幡坂