While thoughts of Hokkaido often bring to mind images of winter sports, snow festivals and chilly weather — there's plenty more to see in Japan’s northern prefecture. Located in the southernmost part of Hokkaido, Hakodate sits on the Kameda Peninsula facing the Tsugaru Strait separating the prefecture from northern Honshu. Famed for Japan's best night view from the summit of Mount Hakodate, the city also attracts visitors for its historical significance.
Hakodate was one of the first two Japanese ports opened to the U.S. in 1854 as a refueling site.
It eventually became one of three international trading ports in 1859 alongside Yokohama and Nagasaki. Over the decades, Hakodate became a melting pot of local and global forces and the product of those exchanges can still be seen today. So, whether you’re digging deep into Hakodate’s past, enjoying the city’s foliage and flora or sampling some of its famous cuisine — you’re in for a memorable trip.
Hakodate is rich in historical experiences that stretch from the prehistoric age to the modern era. When Japan was opened up to American and European powers in the 1850s, Japanese leaders raced to update their military power in the face of the imperial West. Goryokaku , also known as the Star Fort for its five-pointed design, was completed in 1866 after Ayasaburo Takeda studied modern fortress design with the Dutch.
Starting from mid-April, more than 1,500 cherry blossoms come into full bloom making the grounds one of the.