Hakodate
The bullet train from Aomori took me under the sea and up to the city of Hakodate in the northern island of Hokkaido. The island is under snow during the winter and is popular for high quality skiing. It has a “Goldilocks” summer climate, mild and comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold. It’s a great time for walking in Hokkaido.
Hakodate is a pleasant seaside city and a good place to spend a few days to enjoy the great seafood. A number of warehouses in Hakodate’s docks have been converted into spacious and inviting restaurants.
The Ainu are the indigenous people of Northern Japan. The Hakodate Museum of Northern Peoples has a comprehensive exhibition on the life of those original settlers.
The Mount Hakodate ropeway leads to an excellent viewing point. A strong sea haze hung over the city for the few days I spent in Hakodate.
A few kilometres to the north of Hakodate lies the picturesque Onuma Lake park. Waterlilies abound and add to the serenity of the place.
