Hakodate, City of Hills

Wonderful views of hills interwoven with traditional architecture - Hakodate City, Hokkaido

The city of Hakodate fans out in a beautiful shape from the base of Mt. Hakodate. In 1859, the excellent natural harbor located here was one of Japan's first to open to foreign trade, along with Nagasaki and Yokohama. Climb the hills, especially the Motomachi district, to see a large number of traditional buildings including the Old Public Hall of Hakodate, the Russian Orthodox Church (a nationally designated Important Cultural Asset), the Motomachi Hakodate Catholic Church, as well as the many brick storehouses all along the port. Because large firework festivals have been held here since the Meiji Period, the area's hilly roads have been rebuilt in straight lines and widened as part of fire prevention initiatives. This has had the effect of creating even better scenic views of the harbor. The Hachiman-zaka Slope, one of the city's most famous hills. Take in a view of Hakodate Port with the Old Seikan Ferry Mashumau right in front. Hakodate is a beautiful historic hilly town that prospered by adopting culture from overseas.

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