Our last stop on Hokkaido. Hakodate is a fascinating slice of history. It was the first port on Hokkaido to open to foreign trade in the nineteenth century, and as such had a large influx of immigrants leading to an intriguing collection of western architecture in varying styles. The American influence is most obvious in the town, but there is a great Russian Orthodox church, and the former British consulate is also worth a visit (where you can by red buses, teddy bears and tea cups). The signs are often still in Russian as well as Japanese, and there is a even a cemetery for foreigners where gravestones can be read in a large number of global languages. The morning fish market next to the station shouldn't be missed, you can fish your own squid and have it barbecued (alive) in front of you. Being a functioning port there is a sushi everywhere, although we'd had better elsewhere. And the Daimon Yochoko (cluster of small restaurants) near the station was recommended to us, and turned out to look the part but actually be a tourist trap with annoying touts and average food. Last option on the food front popular in Hakodate is a group of chicken burger restaurants called Lucky Pierrot. Quirky, but not for the faint stomached. On our last day we took an easy half hour train out to the very peaceful and beautiful Onuma Park, a large lake with numerous islands at the foot of a volcano (apparently one of Japan's top 10 views). The lake was frozen over sadly, however you can still walk between the islands over bridges, and at certain times of year over the lake itself. There were also people ice hole fishing on the lake, a popular activity. Be aware that outside summer it's a ghost town, vending machines were the only thing still open.
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AuthorsRob & Charlie's travelling adventures on their long journey back to London after living in Hong Kong. Four continents, twelve countries, lots of experiences. Archives
July 2017
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Robert Ware & Charlotte Nunn |