Tag: Hakadate Japan

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Hakodate, Japan, on the northeast coast.

HAKODATE, JAPAN
BEST KNOWN FOR THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM MOUNT HAKODATE

Gaze down over Hakodate from its namesake peak – Mount Hakodate – to see the city stretching out spectacularly, with back-to-back twin bays splitting the ocean. Hakodate port was one of the first to open Japan up to the world and international trade in 1859 – a fact reflected in the architecture, with its influences from the West and beyond.

The port area is a redbrick wash of warehouses turned shopping malls, all observed by the onion domes of the city’s
Russian Orthodox church. Elsewhere, the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress glows with natural colors and a beautiful
haze of cherry blossoms during the season. Goryokaku Tower, which rises beside it, offers a sweeping bird’s eye view
of the green fortress and mountain backdrop.

Buses trundle up the 335-meter incline to the top of Mount Hakodate, but the best way to reach the views is to
jump on the ropeway, which swings high above downtown buildings over a carpet of pine trees. Head up to the
mountain’s heights as sunset approaches. The panorama is one of Japan’s most spectacular, with darkness sweeping in and the lights flickering to life.

Soak it all in and look out to the horizon, dotted with the shimmering lights of ships hauling in harvests of the city’s
renowned squid. The plankton-rich waters attract a delicious variety of feasting sea life to Hakodate’s coast, which is
then plated up in the city’s numerous skilled restaurants. For an eye-opening, whirring morning, see the freshest seafood and
produce being doled out at Hakodate Morning Market – amid a cacophony of noise and activity.

MT. HAKODATE OBSERVATORY
It’s a three-minute trip across the sky, offering spectacular panoramas of Hakodate and the surrounding bay, sea, and mountains. Inside the observatory is a gift shop selling Mt. Hakodate-limited merchandise, as well as a restaurant where you can enjoy the chefs’ signature Japanese and Western cuisine while gazing at the night view, which is full of infinite

SIGHTS

• Goryōkaku (Historical place)
• Goryōkaku Tower
• Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
• Our Lady of the Angels Trappistine Abbey
• Cape Tachimachi
• Hakodate Hachimangu

Today’s Excursion – Strolling Around Motomachi District

Walking through this historic city, we discovered Hakodate’s beauty, culture, and charm on foot.

Hakodate Morning Market
We started with a guided stroll through the bustling Hakodate Morning Market, engulfed by cars and people from when the 400 stalls opened at 5 a.m. Discover an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, including squid, salmon eggs, sea urchins, and hairy crabs, all of which Hokkaido is famous for. The garden also offers fresh, locally-grown vegetables, flowers, and household goods.

The pictures below are a test in “Name that seafood item.”

Motomachi District and Churches
We boarded a tram at the Hakodate-ekimae Tram Station for a short ride to Jujigai Station. Upon arrival, we walked up the inclined streets of the Motomachi District. Along the way, we saw historic churches such as the Gothic-style Motomachi Roman Catholic Church, famous for the altar presented to it by Pope Benedict XV. The view from the hill is stunning and reflects the contrast between the hill, churches, and shoreline.

Mount Hakodate and Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Our tour continued with a Hakodate Ropeway cable car ride up to the all-weather observatory at the 1,100-foot summit, which generally offers spectacular panoramic vistas over the surrounding area. Unfortunately, we were fogged in today. Afterward, the cable car went down, and our walking tour continued on foot to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. Remodeled in 1988 as part of the redevelopment of Hakodate’s waterfront, this area’s old, red-brick warehouses have been converted into bars and restaurants.

Goryokaku Park and Tower
Sandy took a taxi to Goryokaku Park. The park is home to the remaining walls of Japan’s first Western-style fort. The fort is named Goryokaku, or ‘Pentagon Fort’ due to its star shape. Nothing is left of the citadel, which was constructed
by the Togukawa Shogunate to defend Japan against the threats from the north.

Sandy rode the elevator up to the Observation Deck of the 351-foot-tall tower at the park entrance and took in splendid views of the park’s cherry blossoms, the fort, Mt. Hakodate, and the downtown area.

Sandy’s last stop was at a local shrine to get a Temple Stamp in her Temple Stamp Book.

Tonight’s dinner was in The Restaurant.

Check out today’s Chronicle.