|
Mount Hakodate o ffers a spectacular view of the city of Hakodate on clear day. However, the best is the night-time panorama. The twinkling lights of the port and the boats fishing for squid just off the coast creates a magical scene. A ropeway costs a steep ¥640/1160 one-way/return. Buses are cheaper at ¥360) from Hakodate Station, which runs from April 25 to October 15 between 1.15pm and 9pm. The serpentine road up the mountain is open to private vehicles after 10pm.
Fort Goryokaku is Japan 's first western-style fortress completed in 1864 just in time for it to be occupied by the Ezo Republic as their headquarters. The fort is where the Tokugawa shogun made his last stand against the emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1869. Fortunately, the rebels surrendered peacefully. This is now a park with cherry blossoms.
The Morning Market of Asa-ichi is from Monday to Saturday from 5am to 12-noon. It is immediately located to the west of the station. There are hundreds of tightly packed stalls in this waterside location with piles of vegetables and flowers at the back of the market. Local specialties are huge, alien-like red crabs, squid and musk melons. Must try are the noodle stalls with Hakodate 's signature dish of Hakodate shio ramen , a version of noodle dish prepared with squid stock. Look also for Japan 's finest IkaMeshi , a rice-stuffed squid.
Motomachi showcases the late nineteenth-century architecture as an advent of the consulates and foreigners who set up in Hakodate in the mid 1850's following the treaties. Stroll in the streets and experience the different buildings and churches built such as the Russian Orthodox Church , the Episcopal Church, the Gothic-style Motomachi Roman Catholic Church, the extraordinary Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and the Old British Consulate.
|
