Last Stop Hakodate

Nightfall - Mount Hakodate

We reached the last destination of our Hokkaido trip, Hakodate, where we would stay one night before flying back to Singapore via Tokyo the next day.  The good thing about flying ANA is that we can make use of the extensive domestic flight network, enabling us to see more cities.

Anyway, Hakodate, like Otaru, has lots of trade links to Russia, and from there to Europe.  It has imbibed considerable European influences as can be seen in the old city at Motomachi, where there are a few churches - Anglican, Catholic, and Russian Orthodox - next to each other. The British consulate is not far off, as is the old Hakodate Public Hall.

Converted Warehouses in Hakodate 

We had gotten a 2-day tourist bus ticket, so we happily rode around the old town, getting off whenever we felt like it.  Aside from the churches, we went to the old pierside area where the ships used to unload their goods, to be stored in the long warehouses along the pier.  Today, these warehouses have been converted for retail use, with little shops selling food, handicrafts etc within.  And it was here that we found out that just as Furano has "Delice" and Otaru "Le Tao", Hakodate's major cheesecake maker is "Snaffles"!  Snaffles have a few branches in Singapore, and I must say I rather enjoy eating their "catch cakes".  We had the opportunity to sample a wider range of Snaffles' products here too.

The number one tourist activity in Hakodate, though, is to see the night view from Mount Hakodate.  We  went up early - or at least so I thought - but by the time we got there, the place was really crowded with people lined three deep in order to get photos of the view. The view was beautiful, with the glittering lights outlining the city.

Hakodate morning seafood market

The view was nice, yes, but the highlight of our visit was definitely the morning seafood market.  Situated across the road from our hotel, we walked over for our seafood breakfast.  We started with sea urchin - freshly opened up, with some cooked shellfish on the side.  We ate it all up with gusto.

The market itself had many other little food stalls.  After hearing that Hokkaido (aside from melons) was also well known for its potatoes, I was glad that I finally managed to get one freshly baked potato with a dab of fresh butter inside.  It was indeed a good and satisfying snack and I also thoroughly enjoyed the matcha ice cream which rounded off my meal.

After going to Kyoto last year, Hokkaido presents an interesting contrast.  Settled in the early 20th century, it has a far more modern feel to it than the ancient capital.  I enjoyed the Hokkaido produce - potatoes, vegetables, melons and dairy products, and marvelled at the scenery - the majestic volcanos, serene lakes and the pastoral beauty of its flower fields. I look forward to my next visit to Japan....