Esashi Travel Full Guide: Stepping into the Prosperous Years of Kitamaebune — Esashi Historic Town Private Car Charter Day Tour

Esashi-cho, located in the southern Hokkaido region, is a coastal antique town filled with legendary colors. During the past era when the herring trade prospered, this place once held the beautiful reputation of “Esashi in May is more prosperous than Edo.”

Today’s Esashi preserves a large number of historical buildings, shrines, and folk song cultures from the Edo to Meiji periods. It stands as a paradise for deep travelers.

Because Esashi is located about a 1.5-hour drive from Hakodate, and public transportation schedules are limited, choosing an “Esashi Historic Town Private Car Charter Day Tour” allows you to seamlessly connect the two major historical strongholds of Matsumae and Esashi. Through a professional car charter, you can not only avoid the waiting of transferring buses. Led comfortably by a professional driver, you can go deep to visit those historical dead corners that are difficult to locate on maps, elegantly experiencing this “living museum.”

Esashi Historic Town History: Holy Land Pilgrimage, Witnessing the Oldest Soul of Hokkaido

Ubagami Daijingu Shrine: Four Hundred Years of Faith Inheritance

Ubagami Daijingu Shrine: The oldest shrine in Hokkaido. It is rumored to be constructed during the Kamakura period, possessing a rich history of nearly 400 years from now.

It displays a great deal of historical data such as the Eight Views of Esashi, Ema (votive tablets), and Orui legends. Furthermore, inside the shrine, visitors can also see models of the festival floats utilized during the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival.

💡Special reminder for everyone: Every year in August, Esashi hosts a grand parade activity — the “Esashi Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival.” It aims to express gratitude to the deities and pray for a bountiful harvest. Gorgeous festival floats will shuttle through the streets and alleys.

Esashi Oiwake and Festival Culture: The Symphony of Folk Songs and Festival Floats

Oiwake (Folk Song) Hall and Esashi Saika (Festival Float) Hall: These facilities treasure the history and related important documents and data of the Esashi Oiwake folk songs. From the end of April to October, the local area hosts performances of Esashi Oiwake and Hokkaido folk songs.

As for the adjacent Saika Hall, it exhibits the actual “Festival Floats” paraded during the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival. Everyone can visit the most historical festival in Hokkaido.

Late Bakufu Legend: Historical Witness on the Sea

Kaiyo Maru: The Restored Massive Shogunate Warship

Kaiyo Maru: The first massive warship of the shogunate at the end of the Bakufu, “Kaiyo Maru,” sank in the sea area near Esashi. The ship you observe now is the fully restored Kaiyo Maru.

Inside the vessel, it displays about 3,000 pieces of relics salvaged from the seabed. These historical objects are extremely precious.

Hokka-ji Temple: A Spectacular and Gorgeous Cultural Treasure

Hokka-ji Temple: One of the oldest buildings in Hokkaido. It is exceptionally spectacular and gorgeous. The main temple gate originally served as the front entrance of the Hiyama Magistrate’s Office over 300 years ago.

The ceiling features a magnificent painting of the “Dragon Looking in All Directions.” Hokka-ji Temple is well worth a dedicated visit.

Memories of Daily Life: The Prosperous Era Brought by Herring Trade

Wealthy Merchants’ Former Residences and Government Offices: Esashi’s Architectural Aesthetics

Former Nakamura Family Residence, Former Sekikawa Family Villa, and Yokoyama Family Residence: In the past, Esashi possessed a highly developed herring fishing industry. These antique structures served as the former residences of local wealthy merchants. Today, they display daily necessities and ancient documents from that era.

Former Hiyama Nishi District Government Office (Esashi Town Local History Museum): The museum houses a large collection of archaeological, historical, and ethnic exhibition items. It also features natural data regarding Esashi. The historic building itself is designated as an official Tangible Cultural Property of Hokkaido. The walls and ceilings have been restored with gorgeous cloth wallpapers.

Natural Scenery: The Legendary Land Guarding Local Fishermen

Kamome Island and Heishi Rock

Kamome Island (Seagull Island): This was a vital hub for herring fishing and Kitamaebune trade in the past. Today, it is designated as a special area of the Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park established in 1968. It boasts a rich and beautiful natural environment.

Heishi Rock and Torii Gate: Located on the eastern side of Kamome Island. Legend says over 500 years ago, a prophetic elder received a bottle from an old man on Kamome Island. The elder threw the bottle into the ocean. From then on, a vast amount of herring gathered in the sea area surrounding Kamome Island. The bottle finally transformed into a rock standing on the sea surface. Today, it is enshrined by local residents as a deity guarding maritime safety and bountiful fishing harvests.

Encountering Hokkaido’s Deepest History in Esashi

Esashi-cho is much more than just a regular port. It serves as an open textbook of modern Japanese history. You might want to pray for safety at Ubagami Daijingu Shrine. Alternatively, you can experience the tragic magnificence of the end of the Bakufu on the Kaiyo Maru.

This historic city will absolutely bring you profound emotional resonance. Planning a professional “Esashi Historic Town History Private Car Charter Day Tour” ensures transportation never becomes an obstacle to exploring secret realms. Let our expert services guide you step by step through this prosperous old dream filled with the aromas of sea salt and cypress wood.

Esashi Town Travel Guide: Seasonal Clothing and Outfit Advice

Esashi faces the ocean closely, and the sea winds are relatively powerful. We highly recommend carrying windproof clothing with you at all times.

Season	Months	Climate Overview	Clothing & Outfit Recommendations
Spring	Apr – May	Cool coastal air, pleasant breezes, refreshing temperatures	Layered clothing: Windbreaker jacket + thin sweater or hoodie. Mornings and evenings remain chilly due to sea breezes.
Summer	Jun – Aug	Mild and pleasant, comfortable ocean air, strong UV	Short sleeves + lightweight cardigans or thin jackets. A sun hat and sunglasses are highly recommended for town walks.
Autumn	Sep – Nov	Temperatures drop steadily, beautiful historic autumn landscapes	Medium-thickness coat or jacket + scarf. Windproofing is recommended for coastal harbor lookouts.
Winter	Dec – Mar	Cold and snowy, freezing gales from the Sea of Japan	Professional winter gear: Heavy down coat, waterproof snow boots with strong grip, thermal underwear, and beanies.

Why Choose an Esashi Historic Town Private Car Charter Day Tour?

The landmarks of Esashi are scattered around the famous “Herring Street” and the long coastline. You might wish to view the late Bakufu warship Kaiyo Maru within a single day. You may also want to worship at the oldest Ubagami Daijingu Shrine and tour wealthy merchants’ former residences.

Doing this by walking or taking the rare local buses would be extremely exhausting. An “Esashi Historic Town Private Car Charter Day Tour” provides comfortable point-to-point private transfers. It allows you to explore historical museums efficiently. You never have to worry about luggage handling or sudden weather changes. Experience this serene beauty forgotten by time inside our most comfortable vehicle cabin.