Hakodate is a city and port in the Oshima Sub prefecture and is the third largest city in Hokkaido.
Kono Koganokami Masamichi became the founder of
Hakodate when he built a large manor house in the Ainu
fishing village of Usukeshi (bay in Ainu). When
Masamichi passed away his family was driven out during
the Ainu Rebellion of 1512. However, the infighting
between Ainu clans and Matsumae clan led to an
uprising which lasted from 1669 to 1672. The Ainu
warrior Shakushain led the battle, but surrendered in
1672 and during the celebration of the peace
settlements, the Ainu generals including Shakushain
were assassinated by Matsumae warriors. In 1779, the
Tokugawa Shogunate took control of Hakodate. Under
the conditions of the Convention of Kanagawa, Hakodate
was surveyed in 1854 by five U.S. ships. The 1858
Treaty of Amity and Commerce that was signed with the
United States designated Hakodate as one of the five
ports completely open to foreign trade.
Hakodate is the third largest city in Hokkaido. It was one
of the first ports to be open to foreign trade and the
influences of other countries can be seen in the
Motomachi area of the city. There are also some other
buildings scattered around that are related to religions
that made their way into Hakodate during the time the
port opened to foreign trade. The night view from Mount
Hakodate is one of the top tourist spots people go to and
is the symbol of the city. It is also a popular spot for
couples to visit and enjoy the view together. Before the
undersea tunnel was built people had to take the ferry,
which was in operation for 80 years, to cross the Tsugaru
Straits, but now the Mashu Maru ferry sits in the harbor
as a museum. Since Hakodate is a port town there is a
place called the morning market where you can buy a
plethora of fresh seafood and other delectable items.
Hakodate is a city of cultural importance that not only
reflects the past, but possibilities of the future. As the
gateway to Hokkaido, it would be a great place to stop
and visit all the sites.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Mt. Hakodate
One of the top three night views in the world alongside Naples, Italy and Hong Kong, China.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Yunokawa Onsen
1 of 3 well known hot springs in Japan, located on the outskirts of Hakodate near the airport.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Goryokaku Fort
A star shaped fortress that was built to defend against foreign threats in the mid-1850s.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Hakodate Morning Market
Over 450 shops; hours of operations are 5am (6am in the winter) to 12pm.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Red Brick Warehouses
Several buildings that were used for storage during the golden age of foreign trade in Hakodate Port.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Motomachi
An area favored by foreigners to settle in when Japan’s era of isolation ended.