The popular spot 'Hakodate Morning Market', which is centered around a fish market, includes about 250 shops such as agricultural produce stores, dried seafood and specialty processed goods stores, daily goods stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants. The history of the market dates back to the post-war period in 1945 when some agricultural producers in the Hakodate area started selling vegetables in a corner of the Hakodate Station square. The market eventually moved to a street stall format and in 1946, a temporary outdoor market was established with the help of the Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Union. Due to the expansion and chaos caused by street vendors and gangs gathering from around Hakodate, a management committee was set up within the Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Union for operation and management, which gradually gained recognition among citizens. In 1956, negotiations with the city led to the purchase of 1997 square meters of city-owned land, and the market was relocated to its current location on September 21, 1956. The Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Union was reorganized into the Oshima Vegetable Agricultural Cooperative, and a new Morning Market Association was born. In 1987, the Hakodate Morning Market Cooperative Union was established by six corporate unions to consolidate their efforts. The shops affiliated with the union (about 150 shops) display the union-recommended shop sign (Asaichan mark) to maintain the credibility and order of the Hakodate Morning Market. Affiliated shops are listed in the morning market guide map, and by spending over 2200 yen at an affiliated shop, customers can receive 60 minutes of free parking at the morning market parking lot. The opening hours vary by store, with some opening at 6:00 am from January to April and at 5:00 am from May to December. I visited the market for breakfast and went to the original "Squid Fishing Pond" at the "Ekini Market" in the Hakodate Morning Market. Here, customers can catch squid from the Hakodate sea using a dedicated fishing rod and have it sliced into sashimi on the spot. While there are other places where you can enjoy squid fishing, the official website of the Hakodate Ekini Commercial Cooperative Union states that the Ekini Market was the first to start squid fishing in the Hakodate Morning Market. Since the squid can sell out quickly, I was prepared to go to another shop if that happened. However, when I visited on a weekday Friday morning around 6:30 am, there were about four people in line, and there were plenty of squid swimming in the fishing pond, so I was able to enjoy the experience without any issues. The types of squid available are "Yariika" from January to May and "Maika (Surumeika)" from June to December. The price is based on market value, and on that day, one squid cost 800 yen, which was quite reasonable. When fishing, you hook the needle onto the squid's ear. Since squid come in different sizes, I aimed for a larger one, but there wasn't much difference, so I quickly caught one that seemed easy to catch. Be careful when taking the squid out of the water, as they may spit out ink or water. After catching the squid, the staff immediately prepared it, and I was able to enjoy watching the process. The sashimi, made with the freshest squid including the body, tentacles, and innards, was delicious with a slightly sweet taste and a crunchy texture. The ginger soy sauce complemented the dish perfectly, and the innards added a unique aroma and rich umami flavor that was quite addictive. The fresh squid sashimi was truly exceptional. There is also a mini aquarium around the fishing pond where you can enjoy watching cute fish swimming. It was a delightful dining experience!

There were many foreign tourists, and even on this day there were group customers! I was able to be seated quickly as the staff efficiently handled the situation. They filleted the fish right in front of us. It's a memorable experience, so if you go to Hakodate, I highly recommend trying it out! ◎

In July 2023, I visited the Hakodate Asaichi market and tried the famous live squid fishing experience. Despite being rejected three times in the past due to poor catches, I was determined to try again. I patiently waited in line until it was almost my turn, only to have the experience interrupted by a TV crew for filming. The squid fishing experience cost 1500 yen that day, and after a brief explanation, I successfully caught a squid. The chef skillfully prepared the squid into sashimi, which was incredibly fresh and delicious. It was a truly enjoyable experience, and I left feeling satisfied and wanting to have a drink. Thank you for the delicious meal!

A restaurant where you can catch and eat squid directly from the tank. It's fun because they catch and prepare the squid right away. The squid is still alive when it's being prepared, so it's quite a performance to see it moving. It feels much more delicious than just eating it. However, the dried squid is a bit small and feels a bit expensive. Maybe it's because it's a tourist spot.

(Recorded on August 14, 2023) I visited the restaurant on a weekday afternoon in late May 2023. When it comes to Hakodate, the morning market is famous, with many stalls offering freshly caught seafood such as squid, scallops, and oysters. There are also restaurants serving seafood bowls and selling various seafood products, creating a lively atmosphere in the market area. I had originally planned to enjoy a luxurious seafood bowl for breakfast at the market, but the breakfast buffet at the hotel where I stayed turned out to be surprisingly lavish and cost-effective. Therefore, I had lunch in the market area and later stumbled upon this restaurant while strolling around the market. Even though I was already full, I noticed that the squid they offered wasn't too large, so I decided to try catching and eating freshly prepared squid on the spot. For detailed information with photos and explanations, please search "Kimura's Memo" at: http://kimura.li/memo/?p=41728 Where is the restaurant located? The restaurant is located in the center of a large building called "Hakodate Asaichi Ekini Ichiba," with Hakodate Station behind you on the right side. The surrounding area includes individual shops and stores inside larger buildings, but this restaurant is situated right in the middle of the building, where you can easily spot the area with live squid tanks as you walk towards the center. What are the recommended menu items? This restaurant specializes in squid fishing, so the menu consists of squid only. Depending on the season, different types of squid are available (Yariika from January to May, and either Matsuika or Surumeika from June to December). On the day of my visit, they were serving Yariika, and the price was 800 yen. The price may vary from day to day, and the following day it was 900 yen, making it relatively affordable compared to similar establishments in the area. In conclusion: Hakodate is famous for its squid, and experiences like this, combining entertainment with food attractions, are a must-try. The freshly prepared squid had a translucent and shiny flesh, with a rich flavor that made me want to eat it without soy sauce. The size of the squid that day was around 20 centimeters, not too large, making it easy to enjoy even after having a regular lunch. Being able to catch the squid myself, watch it being prepared in front of me, and savor its delicious taste made this restaurant a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Hakodate.

I decided to do something touristy since I was already there. I had some free time until noon, so I went to the morning market. I tried fishing among the school trip students and managed to catch one. It cost me 1300 yen that day. The squid was still moving even after I poured soy sauce on it. It had amazing vitality. It was a bit chewy, but I couldn't usually eat something like that. I can't say it was incredibly delicious, but it was definitely fun. When my colleague showed me the fishing video later, I saw myself targeting and catching the squid like a hunter.

In front of JR Hakodate Station, there is a popular corner in the "Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Ichiba" where you can experience "squid fishing". Many families, with children experiencing squid fishing for the first time, were enthusiastically participating. The squid are delivered fresh every morning from a nearby market, swimming energetically. Using a special fishing rod, you can catch the squid, which immediately spits out water and ink once caught, causing excitement among the surrounding customers. After catching the squid, the craftsmen will quickly prepare it into sashimi in 2-3 minutes. It is served with ginger soy sauce. The freshly caught squid, which was swimming just moments ago, has a crunchy texture and is incredibly sweet. It is quite filling, so even one squid can satisfy two people. You can also eat the innards of the squid, which have a mild taste and go well with ginger soy sauce. The type of squid available varies depending on the season: in summer to winter, it is "Murasaki Ika" (Japanese flying squid), while in winter to spring, it is "Yari Ika" (spear squid). It was a fun experience to try something that we don't usually get to do.

At this shop in Hakodate Morning Market, you can experience squid fishing for 3.51 per cup at 1500 yen as of October 2022. There are several places in Hakodate Morning Market where you can experience squid fishing, but this one is unusually crowded. I arrived around 11 o'clock and waited for about 30 minutes. They fish one person at a time, so the turnover is very slow. Sometimes you may have to wait for over 2 hours. Luckily, they added fresh squid just before my turn, and I caught a lively squid. Fresh squid is indeed delicious. The price on this day was 1500 yen, but it can vary from 1000 yen to 1200 yen depending on the season.

Day 3 of the expedition. I woke up earlier than expected, so I had some free time. I decided to check out the Hakodate Morning Market near the hotel. I went out around 6 am and walked around. The popular eateries were already crowded with people. I thought about having breakfast there and wandered around. Then I saw a sign that said "Squid Fishing" and decided to give it a try. However, the squid fishing fee that day was 1800 yen. The size of the squid was average, but I heard there was a poor catch, so maybe they raised the price. I also added a draft beer for 500 yen. I tried again and managed to catch a squid of just the right size. They skillfully prepared it for me, and I enjoyed the fresh squid. The flesh was transparent and fresh, with a clean taste. The tentacles were still moving, but I didn't hesitate to eat them. With the beer, it made for a nice morning treat. Honestly, it wasn't very filling as a meal, more like a light snack. It was a bit pricey, but if you can enjoy fresh seafood, it's worth it. There are similar fishing spots popping up around the market area lately, but it might not be a bad idea. Anyway, it was a delicious meal.

I caught a fresh squid, had it quickly prepared on the spot, and enjoyed it with ginger soy sauce. It was delicious without any hint of bitterness or unpleasant taste. The squid cost 1400 yen, a price I only pay on special occasions, but it was worth it for the memories of this trip. It had been 8 years since my last visit, but I hope to come back sooner next time.

Hakodate Station market. Fishing for squid. 1200 yen. It seems to be based on market price, as the price may vary depending on the size of the squid when you visit. Fishing for squid is simple, like hooking them easily. The caught squid is quickly disassembled, with the body and legs separated in no time. Poor squid ends up with only its legs, while the body is sliced like somen noodles. The legs are also disassembled, and when eaten with ginger soy sauce, it's delicious. It feels more like a squid that was raised rather than freshly caught, but it's still tasty. At least one goal of the Hakodate trip is achieved.

When it comes to Hakodate, it's all about squid! One of the attractions is being able to experience squid fishing, catch it yourself, have it prepared on the spot, and enjoy fresh squid sashimi. Squid fishing is fun, watching the preparation is interesting, and the fresh squid sashimi was delicious with a chewy texture - it was so fresh that the legs were still moving! Highly recommended. Check out more details here: Hakodate Morning Market Squid Fishing Experience! Enjoy delicious squid sashimi caught and prepared on the spot ♡ https://saron-sayuko.com/2022/08/10/asaichi-ekini-ikatsuri/

I went squid fishing and had it prepared on the spot. There was quite a line, with families and couples all around. Even young children were able to enjoy fishing on their own. The squid was prepared while still alive, so when you dip it in soy sauce, it moves as if it's still alive. Some squid in the tank seemed a bit sluggish, which was a bit concerning, but when eaten, it was deliciously chewy and tasty.

Hakodate Station in Hakodate City has a market where you can experience squid fishing and eating freshly made sashimi. Today's squid was on the smaller side, priced at 700 yen each, which was considered a good deal. The reviewer ordered two squids for fishing. They received a spiky fishing rod and cast the line into the tank. The reviewer quickly caught a squid, followed by their companion. The squid was then prepared into sashimi right at a nearby stall. The reviewer enjoyed watching the process, and the sashimi had a firm texture and a slightly sweet taste. The reviewer found the chewy part near the head particularly delicious. They finished the sashimi quickly and said they would love to try it again, perhaps with some drinks next time.

Let's go to the morning market on the second day of our trip to Hakodate! One thing you must try here is squid fishing! It costs 1000 yen per try (price may vary depending on the season). You simply lower a treble hook attached to a fishing line into the tank and hook the squid's tentacles. It's easy for anyone to catch one! When you bring it to the surface, make sure to lift it to a spot where it won't splash water on you. After catching the squid, they will prepare it for you right there. In just about a minute, they will clean and gut the squid. Eating fresh squid is a delightful experience, especially the liver, tentacles, and surrounding areas are delicious.

#Transparent squid is a must-try at the Live Squid Fishing Plaza in Hakodate Morning Market. The price varies, but on this occasion it was 1,000 yen per cup! #LiveSquidFishingPlaza #Squid #Fishing #SquidFishing #HakodateMorningMarket #EkiniMarket #Hakodate #Foodstagram #Foodie #FoodieWanted #Gourmet #FoodBlog #FoodPorn #Foodstagram #ThankYouForTheMeal #HighlyRatedOnFoodlog #HakodateGourmet #MorningMarketGourmet #MarketGourmet #SquidSashimi #FamousRestaurant #PopularRestaurant #HakodateTravel #HakodateLunch #TravelWanted #Travel #PopularRestaurant #AlwaysCrowded #Restaurant

Visited a shop during my final refresh vacation using the company's life in Hakodate in April 2022. Although there was self-restraint due to corona, it was the first time in many years to travel due to my hospitalization & surgery and whatnot. I gathered a lot of information with "Maple" and reviewed for over an hour on Youtube on the day of departure. I arrived at Hakodate Airport, immediately headed to Hakodate Station, and the first place I visited was this shop. To cut to the chase, in Hakodate, I ate delicious food to the point of overeating, but this squid may have been the most delicious. As for the shop, it is located in the Hakodate Asaichi market, which is to the right when you face Hakodate Station. Due to the times, please follow the distance indicated at your feet when lining up. When it's your turn, pay the fee, borrow a fishing rod, and let's go squid fishing. It's not difficult. Just hook the squid's ear with the hook. It didn't take even a minute. The squid caught is immediately processed, and eaten with ginger soy sauce. And the taste. As you can see in the photos, it is transparent. It is crunchy. It is sweet. It's natural for the freshness to be good because it was swimming until just before, but I have never eaten such delicious squid. This enjoyment of squid fishing, and this deliciousness. Highly recommended.

At the morning market in front of Hakodate Station, there is a shop where you can eat squid that you caught yourself. It costs around 1,000 yen per serving (market price). Fishing is as simple as hooking the squid with a bait, and they usually get caught easily. Despite the long line, the turnover is fast because they are easily caught. They even take a photo of you catching the squid and may record a video of them preparing it. Today's squid might be the spear squid. The tricky thing about seafood is that there can be differences in taste between individuals. The squid I caught this time was incredibly delicious! The texture was firm, slightly sweet, and very tasty. Usually, I prefer the tentacles for their firm texture, but this time, the body was so delicious that I didn't even need to seek out the tentacles. Most importantly, there was no unpleasant smell from the innards, and it was incredibly creamy, sweet, and delicious! Among the squids I've eaten in Hakodate, this one was by far the best, maybe even in the top three of all the squids I've ever eaten. I regret avoiding it just because it's popular among tourists. However, there are still individual differences. When I compared the squid I ate with others from the same tank, the taste was clearly different, so there may be some hits and misses. But that's just how nature works.

I came to the restaurant wanting to eat squid, but they didn't have any squid dishes that day, so I decided to go squid fishing. After waiting for about 30-40 minutes, I finally got my turn. The squid liver was very delicious. Just a tip, if you sit at a table without fishing, they might get upset.

Fun! Delicious! When you visit Hakodate, I highly recommend stopping by this place. The fishing is instant. They skillfully clean the fish quickly and the texture and sweetness of the fresh seafood is amazing. However, there are times when they don't have squid in stock. Wishing you good luck!

We went to the nearby market from the hotel for breakfast and tried the squid fishing experience we were looking forward to. Two children represented us for the experience and both successfully caught squid, which was then cooked for us. The children were fascinated watching the cooking process right in front of them. The squid was cooked in about 10 minutes and we got to eat it. Even though the tentacles were still moving, the texture was chewy and slightly sweet when bitten. The liver was also served raw and surprisingly tasty without any unpleasant smell. Despite it being morning, the restaurant was crowded with customers.