Fort Goryoukaku in Hakodate!

by Kazu

The old ferry not in service for transportation was fixed near the railway station. The tourists who used the train used to walk to this port and get on the ferry which connected Hakodate and Aomori.

I came back to the hotel we stayed "JR Inn Hakodate" and had breakfast before leaving the hotel. We had enough time to romp around the city before coming back to Sapporo on that day.

We visited Fort Gryoukaku and walked around the area. The old traditional style building that actually existed before Meiji Restoration was newly built on the same site. 

 

Tsugaru Strait from the Lookout!

by Kazu

The surface of Tsugaru Strait reflected the bright sunshine and Mt. Esan could be seen over the ocean. Very tasty and famous black tunas are swimming under the water. Fishermen of Hokkaido and Aomori fight on the ocean to get nice tuna everyday.    

I took enough time to explore the trail in the woods on the hillside and to stroll around the uptown of the city. My father must be pleased with the sight. 

A high-speed cruiser was at anchor in the bay. Very famous local hamburger shop "Lucky Pierrot" has its branch shop here and there in Hakodate City and the adjacent town. One of them is near the harbor and so is the original flagship shop.   

 

From the Lookout on the hillside!

by Kazu

The trail in the woods on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate was not shown on the map displayed on the sigh near the shrine even though running on the trail refreshed me so much. 

Tsugaru Strait and the main island of Japan could be seen from the lookout on my way back to the hotel on that day. The land of Aomori Prefecture could be seen over the strait. 

The residential area seemed to be so nice to spend several days for us. It's much warmer there in winter than in Sapporo City and my hometown Kitami City.   
 

Hakodate Hachimanguu Shrine!

by Kazu

While my father had lived in Yachigashira Area of Hakodate City, I had never been to this shrine Hakodate Hachimanguu at the foot of Mt. Hakodate.

Many citizens visit this shrine at the beginning of the year and pray for their good health, happiness and glory. I have visited this shrine several times in this decade.

The flat of my father who passed away had been near this place and I stayed in the old flat only once and  the new twice. He had good memories in this city.
 

The Monument of Soldiers for the General !

by Kazu

"Hekketsuhi" which means "Blue  Blood Monument" in Japanese were built for the deceased soldiers of Tokugawa Administration who had fought against the army of Meiji Imperial Administration. 

The blood of the soldiers who fought for their masters and their belief is said to turn to blue three years after their death. It is the old saying in China.

That is why the monument is named "Hekketsuhi" Blue Blood Monument. On the lower side of the monument, there is Hakodate Hachimanguu Shrine surrounded by the cedar trees.

 

The trail in the woods of Mt. Hakodate!

by Kazu

This is the trail in the woods on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate. I could not find any footprint on the way. No body had gone through this trail for a while. No bears in Hakodate, so I did not have to care about it.

The cedar trees seemed to be well-trimmed and the grasses below had been cut several days before. These trees had grown on the backside of a shrine. 

These cedar trees must have been planted some decades ago. My father who passed away might have found this trail  35 years ago.

 

Strolling around Mt. Hakodate !

by Kazu

As my routine in Hakodate City, I jogged around the bay area and went up to the hillside of Mt. Hakodate including Motomachi Area early in the morning on that day.

Near the gate to the peak of Mt. Hakodate, I found a park where cherry blossoms were fully blooming. 

When I gave a glance at the map of the area, I found the sign of the trail to the opposite side of Mt. Hakodate including Yachigashira Area.  

This is the trail and wood deck built in the woods on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate. Compared to going around the foot of the mountain, this trail that connects Motomachi Area and Yachigashira Area is much shorter although it includes going up and down in the woods. 

 

Life in Motomachi, Hakodate!

by Kazu

Well-maintained beautiful old houses and gardens could be seen in Motomachi Area of Hakodate City. The municipality must have given a kind of grant to refurbish the old buildings.

Some of the old buildings were turned to restaurants and souvenir shops with good atmosphere in the area. 

The life in the area seemed to be so comfortable. A long stay in the area may be so interesting but it means to be farther away from my hometown Kitami City. Short stays must be more comfortable and affordable.   

 

Motomachi, Hakodate in the morning!

by Kazu

The old Public Hall in Hakodate located in Motomachi Area attracts so many tourists and citizens everyday. Compared with the days before the pandemic of covid-19, it was very calm around there. 

If I go up to the green area on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate, I could shortcut to reach the opposite side of the mountain. I was so fascinated to try the path in the woods. 

Very few people were on the road through the area where old churches and shops existed. Hakodate Nishi High School is also located in this area and the students belonging to the sports club in the school would come this area soon after my visit. 

 

Port City Hakodate in the morning!

by Kazu

As my routine in Hakodate City, I jogged around the bay and go up to Motomachi Area on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate. It was a little bit cloudy in that morning but the bright sunshine could be seen far away.

Soon it would be fine and getting warmer, I thought. I had enough time before the breakfast on that day, so I had itchy feet to go to the place my father had lived 35 years ago Yachigashira Area at the foot of Mt. Hakodate.

The building of former public house where parties had been thrown frequently was refurbished and had beautiful contrast of gray and gold.