Hakodate: First Port Stop
Upon booking this cruise, I decided that it would be a good idea to book a few excursions. If I were traveling with someone else, I might be more inclined to explore on my own. Walking downstairs to the meeting point for my “Get Your Guide” excursion, I noticed a sign that showed the distance to the Morning Market and the Red Brick Warehouse. Realizing these were two of the places I had booked my day trip to visit, I thought I had wasted money. Although a very inexpensive trip, if I could have easily walked to both locations… it would be a waste.
We had a small group of only five, which made the experience amazing. Picked up in a small mini-van type vehicle, our driver pointed to the mountain in this photo. Mount Hakodate is the second tallest mountain in this area. My initial thought was we were at least visiting something different than what was easily accessible on the sign out front… then I realized that without the rain, we might enjoy a nice view.
Our journey to the top of Mount Hakodate included tree-lined roadways and small towns with fruit stands. Being in our small van made travel easier. The big busses had limitations on their travel up the hill and parking once at the top. Our guide, Keiya, told us about a bit of this town’s history. The first people in the area were Russians. There is still a Russian school in one part of town.
We made it to the top! Wow! What a view… on our way up the mountain, we noticed several people hiking up the 1,100-foot mountain. For some, this height is impressive… coming from Tahoe, the measurement seems low. However, with the city itself being quite flat, the lone mountain stands out. It definitely provides an impressive view!
Hakodate Bay has miles of scenic, sandy beaches. It is home to one of Japan’s oldest ports. Lined with many historical buildings, the view from above is stunning. Seeing the city in this way makes it an inviting location to return for a land-based vacation. Our driver, Keiya, told me that the wages are less than could be earned in Tokyo, but the cost of living is substantially less. Hakodate’s economy, driven predominantly by tourism and seafood processing, provides ample opportunities for a comfortable life.
Looking down, from above… the Hakodate Bay is on the right and the Tsugaru Strait on the left. Connecting the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, this body of water is important to maritime traffic and the economy. In the photo on the left, the Motomachi Roman Catholic Church stands out with the light blue spires. It is one of the oldest churches in Japan.
From above, we could see our ship. The Diamond Princess was designed for the Asian market. Amazing how big it looks in comparison to the surrounding buildings. We sailed through the Tsugaru Strait to reach Hakodate. Unfortunately, we departed before nightfall. I am told that the view at night… of the sparkling lights and glistening waters is a sight to behold. We got very lucky with the weather because if it had been as predicted, none of this view would be visible. Several people canceled thinking it would be rainy, but it ended up being a beautiful day!
The second of three stops was the Morning Market. Getting its start just after World War II, this came about when farmers gathered to sell their vegetables. Bigger than 4.5 football fields, we were dropped off at an entry door and had free time to explore. With many dining options, I decided to look for some fresh fish. The two ladies I met on our tour were kind enough to invite me to join them, but it sounded like they were interested in different food than I wanted.
Walking past stands of little restaurants, I wandered down an alley a couple of blocks from the starting point. A friendly lady out front had colorful menus in her hand. She tried to communicate the options they offered. At that point, a young man walked up and attempted to help me decide by translating. My mind was made up, this is where I would eat and I would have the ahi tuna.
As the waitress led me inside, she misunderstood the situation. She thought we would be dining together. It turned out that it was easier to just share a table for two. We introduced ourselves and I found it interesting to know that he was an Australian traveling through Japan for three months. As a retired veteran with the Australian military, he had been deeply affected by the atrocities he saw while at war. At only 27, he received treatment and a settlement that has allowed him to travel.
Not a usual topic for posting… this is not an outdoor location or a restaurant. This is just an example of Japanese ingenuity. Who would think of such a simple idea that makes life much easier. In the bathrooms of a few places we have stopped, I noticed a seat like this. Mom’s can put their baby in this seat while they use the restroom. It’s such a simple touch, but so thoughtful. Being able to walk in the bathroom and have a safe place for your baby/toddler, removes a lot of stress. I love it!
Previously used as a primary form of transportation, the rickshaw is now used in tourist areas. The shafu (person who pulls the cart) must be in top physical condition. Most major cities and highly visited tourist areas still use the jinrikisha (formal name). The literal translation is jin=human, riki=power, sha=vehicle.
As I mentioned before, the weather was expected to be pouring rain. To this point, we had been very fortunate to have clear weather. As soon as we reached our next stop, the clouds burst! This turned out to be a perfectly planned stop. Our driver, Keiya, had been watching the weather and made the decision to switch up the order of our stops. Knowing we were expecting rain, he took us to visit Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses. Full of unique shops and restaurants. Initially, these warehouse buildings were made of wood. In 1907, six of the warehouses were destroyed in the Great Fire of Hakodate. Rebuilt in red brick, this is a high traffic area for tourists and locals alike.
With the skies clearing, we headed toward our final destination of the day. Fort Goryokaku, is an impressive area in Hakodate. From around the city, you can see this 350 foot tower. My fear of heights cost me, what I am told is, an impressive view. The tower overlooks a star-shaped fort that is surrounded by a moat.
Despite missing the overview, from the ground this area is so beautiful! This park turns out to be a year round foliage highlight. In the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom. Vibrant greenery can be found in the summer. Winters, this park becomes a winter wonderland covered in snow. For now, I am fortunate to see the fall colors. Taking in the view, I was most impressed by the still moat waters that created the most beautiful reflections of orange and red!
My little piece of evidence that I am actually here in Hakodate. A town not on my radar, it is worth the visit! The grounds were quite wet from the recent heavy rains, but that just added to the “fall feeling”.
After spending quite a bit of time admiring the reflections, I crossed the bridge that crossed the moat. Immediately upon crossing, I walked under this tunnel. Twisty trees, carefully manicured, covered the wooden structure. Over time, this will be fully engulfed by foliage… it will be another stunning spectacle!
Considering we were fortunate enough to dodge the rains, walking through the dampened fall leaves was actually a treat! Colorful puddles of water could be found all along the star shaped pathways. Being that the grounds served as a fort, the star design was intended for protection. There are no blind spots for someone to organize a sneak attack. Had I gone up in the tower, I would have seen the star outlined by a second star., all surrounded by a moat! The more I look at this photo, I feel like it would make a beautiful painting!
Inside the grounds, it felt so serene. It’s hard to believe it was once used for military protection. Acres of grass, traditional Japanese buildings. Now a museum, the largest building had a bit of a line outside. Usually, I visit every museum and church near me but today, I’m a bit tired and needing a good rest! So, I headed to the small, comfortable van to read until departure time.
Walking off the grounds, this little house/shop sits on the rim of the property. It was in such a stark contrast to rest of the grounds. Brightly colored compared to the subtle earth tones inside the gates.
One last look back at the fall colors. Having just crossed the wooden bridge over the moat, the tree lined exterior was so colorful! Again, the still waters perfectly reflected the leaves. Oranges, reds, yellows… shimmered in the light breeze. For an organized tour, this has been an excellent day. Get Your Guide has so many options at far less than the ship prices. The groups tend to be smaller, which is nice. Currently, I have three or four more through this company and several booked for next leg of this journey where I meet up with Barry to continue exploring!
