🍣 Seafood Sunrise: My Morning at Hakodate Asaichi

I woke up early in Hakodate and headed straight to Asaichi, the famous morning market just steps from the train station. The moment I stepped in, I was hit by that unmistakable scent of sea air mixed with sizzling grills, and the chatter of vendors calling out their freshest catches of the day. It was still early, just after 6 a.m., but the place was already alive.

My first stop was Donburi Yokocho, where rows of stalls were selling seafood rice bowls so colorful they looked like edible art. I went for one loaded with sweet uni, glistening ikura, scallops, and shrimp. Every bite tasted like the ocean—fresh, cold, and incredibly clean. There’s something extra satisfying about having seafood this fresh in a town that lives and breathes the sea.

Then I stumbled upon the squid fishing tank. It sounds gimmicky, but I gave it a try. The squid was lively and slippery—I didn’t catch one, but watching others reel them in and immediately have them prepared as sashimi was oddly mesmerizing. You could tell this wasn’t just for tourists—it’s a part of Hakodate life.

I also tried a slice of Yubari melon sold at one of the fruit stands. Perfectly chilled and so juicy it dripped down my hand. Just a few hundred yen, but it felt like a luxury.

What made the experience special wasn’t just the food—it was the energy. Locals chatting with vendors, people slowly waking up with hot tea and miso soup, and tourists quietly marveling at trays of crab and fish roe. It felt real and welcoming, not overly commercialized. Just the city sharing its morning rhythm.

If you’re ever in Hakodate, don’t sleep in. Get here early, grab a donburi, try something you wouldn’t usually eat, and just enjoy the vibe of a market that still feels connected to the sea.

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Post by Crumpled Nomad | Jul 7, 2025