1
Snufles “Soft-Serve Ice Cream”

The quintessential Hakodate souvenir—consistently delicious

First up is “Hakodate Yogashi Snufl’s,” a confectionery maker that represents Hakodate. While the shop is famous for its “Cheese Omelette”—a treat known for its effervescent, melt-in-your-mouth texture—it also sells soft-serve ice cream at select locations. The base of the flavor is milk produced at “Yamakawa Farm” in Nanae Town, right next to Hakodate. You can savor the pure, fresh taste of milk from cows raised freely in an environment surrounded by nature.

The subtle, crisp texture when you first take a bite is delightful, and the rich, creamy flavor of the milk quickly fills your mouth. The aftertaste is surprisingly refreshing. It holds a “sinfully delicious” appeal that makes you polish it off in the blink of an eye—even after a meal or when you’re already full.

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Packed with the bounty of the Hakodate area, it truly captures the taste of nature. This comforting, familiar flavor is the first thing you should try when you visit Hakodate.

2
Lucky Pierrot “Silk Mix Soft Serve”

A local restaurant born in Hakodate—special deals every 8th of the month

When it comes to Hakodate, you can’t miss “Lucky Pierrot.” While the restaurant is widely known for its hamburgers and loved by both locals and tourists alike, its soft-serve ice cream is actually quite popular as well.

One of its charms is the wide variety of flavors available, including vanilla, chocolate, “Mix,” and caramel nut. I tried the “Mix” flavor this time—it melted smoothly in my mouth, with a pleasant, light chocolate aroma. With its perfect balance—not too sweet and not too rich—you can enjoy it as a perfect finishing touch after a burger or as a casual snack-style treat.

If you’re planning a visit, I recommend going on the 8th of every month, when the mixed soft-serve is 30% off. Be sure to take advantage of this when planning your trip.

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Lucky Pierrot offers plenty of other attractions besides hamburgers and soft-serve ice cream. With a total of 17 locations in Hakodate and the surrounding area, each store has slightly different menus and interiors. Be sure to visit several times to find your favorite location.

3
Mamadecore “Strawberry Daifuku Soft Serve”

A luxurious treat equivalent to three strawberries—a soft-serve ice cream that’s as cute as it is delicious

One item that really stands out in Hakodate is “Mama Decore’s” “Strawberry Daifuku Soft Serve.” It features a truly unique style: soft serve topped with mochi and a strawberry on top.

The clean, refreshing melt-in-your-mouth texture—achieved using Yotsuba’s soft-serve mix—pairs perfectly with the tartness of the strawberries. Believe it or not, each serving contains the equivalent of three whole strawberries. I was especially surprised to find the cone generously packed with strawberries all the way to the bottom!It’s a delightful touch that lets you enjoy the sweet-and-tart flavor of the strawberries right down to the very last bite.

The only downside is that it’s a bit tricky to eat. However, when the strawberry on top, the chewy mochi, and the light, refreshing soft-serve come together in your mouth, it creates the perfect “strawberry daifuku” for the first time. If you hesitate trying to eat it neatly, it’ll melt away in the blink of an eye, so the secret to enjoying it at its absolute best is to take a big, hearty bite without hesitation.

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Mamadecore is a specialty shop for cream puffs made with carefully selected ingredients. They also sell cream puff rusks, which make the perfect souvenir—why not pick some up while you’re there?

4
Petit Merveille “Pumpkin Pudding on Soft-Serve Ice Cream”

A limited-edition item available only at the Hakodate Station branch

“Petit Merveille” is a popular dessert shop with a total of four locations in Hakodate. Led by its bite-sized cheese soufflé “Mercheese,” this popular shop offers a wide variety of high-quality sweets, including puddings and butter sandwiches.

Our top recommendation is the limited-edition “Pumpkin Pudding on Soft-Serve Ice Cream,” available exclusively at the Hakodate Station branch.This treat features the shop’s popular “Pumpkin Pudding” topped with soft-serve ice cream that has a subtle pumpkin flavor. At first glance, it looks like it might be heavy, but when you actually try it, the refined sweetness leaves a refreshing aftertaste—it was surprisingly light!

The ingredients include “Kuririn,” an organic pumpkin grown at “Miyoi Farm” at the foot of Mount Komagatake in southern Hokkaido.Apparently, by using their own unique compost rich in marine minerals, they’ve managed to boost the sugar content to an astonishing 24 degrees. This natural, intense sweetness of the pumpkin may well be the secret behind its refined flavor.

Incidentally, the pumpkin pudding that serves as the base for the soft-serve is a masterpiece that has been selected as a “Kita no High-Grade Food” (a designation awarded to Hokkaido-produced foods of exceptional quality and uniqueness under a selection system implemented by the prefecture). That alone should give you a good idea of just how delicious it is.

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While you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream at the “Red Brick Warehouse BAY Hakodate” and “Hondori” locations, the combination of pudding and soft-serve is exclusive to the Hakodate Station Front store! Be sure to stop by when you’re at Hakodate Station.

5
Goto-ken “Goto-ken Soft Serve”

The dedication of a long-established Western-style restaurant loved for over 140 years

“Goto-ken” is known as a long-established Western-style restaurant in Hakodate. While it’s famous for its curry and apple pie, it’s not widely known that they also put a lot of effort into their soft-serve ice cream.

There are three varieties available: Belgian Chocolate, Hokkaido Rich Milk, and Mix. My personal favorite is the “Belgian Chocolate.” Made with the same chocolate used in the production of cakes and baked goods at the Goto-ken factory, it delivers a surprisingly rich flavor. It offers an irresistible sense of satisfaction for chocolate lovers, while its clean finish left a very positive impression.

Incidentally, the “Hokkaido Rich Milk” flavor, made with Komagatake milk, offers a light and refreshing taste—the complete opposite of the Belgian Chocolate. It might be fun to compare the two flavors side by side.

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While many people eat their treats on the benches outside, you can also dine in at “Café Terrace Brunet & Elizabeth” inside the store. The shop itself has a charming ambiance, so be sure to enjoy the atmosphere as well.

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Coffee Room Kikuchi “Mocha Soft-Serve”

Take a short detour—a café worth making a special trip for

Moving beyond the central Hakodate area, the final spot I’d like to introduce is a place well worth the slight detour.It’s “Coffee Room Kikuchi,” a coffee shop that has been beloved by locals since its founding in 1973 (Showa 48). Particularly popular among locals, the menu features everything from classics like Napolitan pasta and sandwiches to unique offerings such as soba noodles and set meals.

Of the three flavors—Mocha, Vanilla, and Mix—my personal recommendation is the “Mocha Soft-Serve.” It uses coffee from “Hakodate Misuzu,” Hokkaido’s oldest coffee shop, adding a mild, slightly bitter note.What surprises you with the first bite is its unique texture. It’s crisp and refreshing, almost like eating sorbet, and the aftertaste is surprisingly light. It lacks the heaviness of whipped cream; instead, the refreshing taste of milk really stands out, making it an irresistible treat—especially on hot days.

There’s a small window on the side of the shop dedicated to takeout, and it seems like many people buy their ice cream there, but if you have time, I recommend savoring it slowly inside. The interior, with its large stained-glass window, has an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time to the Showa era. I’m sure there are many people who love this retro charm.

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The shop is located in the “Yunokawa” area, Hakodate’s premier hot spring district. It’s just a 5-minute drive from Hakodate Airport. Although it’s a bit away from the city center, we highly recommend stopping by on a whim before your flight to wrap up your trip.