The Sunrise in Hakodate, Autumn in 2025 !

by Kazu

The beautiful sunrise could be seen from the trail on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate-yama that connected Motomachi Area and Yachigashira of Hakodate.  It took about twenty minutes to reach the backside of Hachiman Shrine in Yachigashira from Motomachi Area.

Deep in Hokkaido Island, we should avoid to stroll around in deep forest without bear bell and mustard spray. But this trail is 100% safe and free from brown bear attack, so far. 

You can enjoy trekking on this trail in peace and satisfaction with the sense of immersion deep in the forest even though the trail is near the residential area at the foot of Mt. Hakodate-yama. Thanks to the Municipality of Hakodate that allocated the budget to maintain this wonderful space.

 

The Forest of Comfort in Hakodate-yama !

by Kazu

I visited the place "The Forest of Comfort" on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate-yama again and went through the camping site to the trail in the woods. We are sure there is no brown bear in this forest. 

The trail connects the residential area in Motomachi and Yachigashira on the opposite side of the mountain. It is the shortcut course in a sense but no automobile can be used on this way.

The trees in the woods seemed to have been affected by the winds from the strait and to be wild enough to grow naturally. The wooden decks were built and well-maintained on the trail for trekkers. I've never met other trekkers on this trail but the decks were well-maintained.  

 

Shipwreck of "toya-maru" !

by Kazu

The station of the rope way that connected Motomachi Area and the peak of Mt. Hakodate-yama stood with the local radio broadcast station FM IRUKA. To be honest, I've never used the rope way so far but I love the designn of the building and the location.  

There are some monuments for the casualties of the shipwreck. "Toya-maru" that had connected Aomori Prefecture and Hakodate but it was wrecked with hundreds of people. 

From the place where the monuments stood, the residential area that some of the casualties were eager to come back could be seen. Of course, Tsugaru Strait could be seen from there too. Please pray for the souls of the casualties. 

 

Why we love Hakodate City !

by Kazu

I think the design of this St. John's Church Hakodate is very intriguing and spearheading. From May through November, the inside of the building can be seen but the reservation is required beforehand. As you recognize, the shape of the roof is "cross". 

The design fee and the cost of the construction were covered with the donation of the believers and devotees, I think but the shape of the roof might be designed to avoid carpet-bombing even in the war.

Even the pilots of B-29 could recognize that there was a church there from the air. Carpet-bombing to Japanese people had been planed decades before World War Ⅱ. Japanese people are not good at responding appropriately to the malice of the strategic people.

 

Life in Hakodate ! 2

by Kazu

Even now, some Russian people are still living in the port city Hakodate and exporting used cars to their country but I am not sure whether they are praying in the beautiful church or not.

I learned that the Unangan people in Aleutian Islands were in the belief of Russian Orthodox because the islands and Alaska had been in the reign of Russia. Even now, their style of belief is affected by Russian Orthodox. 

I suppose the beautiful church is well-maintained with the donation by the Christians and devotees. The portrait of Saint Nicholas was on the monument stood on the courtyard. 

 

Life in Hakodate !

by Kazu

Jogging around the Motomachi Park and the Bay of Hakodate City, I imagined my would-be life in the port city. The surface of the road cobbled with stones was a little bit slippery but no snow nor ice could be found  in the uptown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

"The Russian Orthodox Church" in Motomachi Area of Hakodate City is called "Harisutosu Church" by the citizens. It is one of the most popular place to visit among the tourists from other area of Japan and overseas. 

The design of the building seems to be so sophisticated even now and the gate and approach to the building has something prestigious and exotic.Against the backdrop of the peak of Mt. Hakodateyama, the symbol of the belief was shining with the sunshine. 

 

Motomachi Public Hall in Autumn, 2025 !

by Kazu

The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward showed us its fabulous collaboration with the beautiful autumnal foliage in 2025 too. In this sense, the refurbishment of the old building was successful. 

The  outlook naturally made me imagine the official parties thrown by the authorities, inviting the delegations from overseas. I do not think that the ordinary citizens were used to the occidental manner to enjoy the dance party and cuisine.

The trees around the old public hall and Motomachi Park seemed to have been well-trimmed and to be giving good support to the scenery. It must be expensive to keep the park including the trees well-maintained and beautiful.