HAKODATE

This is a picture of Suehiro-cho street in Hakodate in Hokkaido. The tram line vis still running. The following is the desciption of Hakodate from 1903 from Murrays handbook for travellers to Japan. There is links to the pictures of the different places in the text (line under) or to the left.

The town clusters at the foot of a bold rock, often compared to Gibraltar, and. known to foreigners as Hakodate Head, whose summit, locally called " the Peak," is 1,157 ft. high. Among the largest buildings are the Japanese Club, Public Hall, and Naval School. The number of foreign residents—chiefly missionaries—is small, and the town, notwithstanding its growing size and prosperity, is of little account as a port for direct foreign trade. Waterworks were constructed in 1889; the water is conveyed in iron pipes from the river Akagawa, 7 miles distant. A tram line runs from one end of the town to the other. A dry dock and patent slip are under construction.

Good steamers connect Hakodate with Yokohama two or three times a week. Steamers occasionally run down the west coast to Tsuchizaki (for Akita), Sakata, and Niigata. There is also daily communication between Aomori, Hakodate, and Muroran, and a whole fleet of small steamers ply to places on the coast.

Walks near Hakodate.

To the Public Gardens and Yachigashira. The Public Gardens, on the E. outskirts of the town, contain a small Museum (Hakubutsu-kwan). Yachigashira (often mispronounced Yatsu-gashira) is the name of a picturesque hill lying a little further on, which, besides being a pleasant walk, offers the attraction of a good restaurant called Asadaya, situated in its own grounds and commanding a fine view. The Shinto temple of Hachiman is also prettily placed on the hillside. The village on the near seashore seen from here is called Shirisawabe, passing through which a walk of about 1 mile may be taken to a spot known to foreigners as East Point (now cape Tachimachi). Just at the back of this stands a curious arched rock.

The highest summit of the Peak, now crowned by a fort, is not open to the public. The lower summit towards the N. W., which is still accessible, well repays the climb. Both it and East Point command a good view, embracing S.E., Shiokubi, distant 13 mile; N. Yorozuyama, 12 mile; and next the volcano of Komagatake, 22 mile; also Nanae, Arikawa, etc., across the bay. Likewise across the bay to the W. lies Moheji, a pretty village with a rivulet running through it, and a lighthouse standing on a prominent rock, N.W. of the Peak. Distant 28 mile is a mountain called Nigorigawayama. Behind Moheji, distant 13 mile, is Karasudake, while to the S.W. rises Shiriuchidake, 22 mile The high land on the other side of the straits is plainly visible, with, on a clear day, Iwakisan to the S.W. of Aomori.

In the opposite direction, namely, turning out of the Main Street to the right, a walk or ride may be taken past the gaol and barracks to a fort called Goryokaku. This disused fort, erected in the latter days of the Tokugawa regime, stands about 4 miles from the town. The moat affords excellent skating, the ice being planed and swept. When it is about 12 inches thick, it is cut and exported to the southern ports.

Excursion to The Lakes Onuma