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The view of Tsugaru-kaikyo Straits is a reminder of Hakodate's role as a gateway to Hokkaido. Hakodate's port was opened to the world in 1859, and trade became increasingly busy. Since then tangible and intangible culture as well as technology poured in from overseas and helped develop the "port town" Hakodate. Japanese from other islands, westerners, and the Chinese crossed the seas to come to pass through Hakodate; and the native people of Ainu came through the region by way of land. The mixture of different visitors from various backgrounds contributed to a unique culture of Hakodate. The town has seen booms and busts through the fishing and shipbuilding trades as well as the Battle of Goryokaku and has settled as a tourist town featuring historic reflections of various ethnic cultures. The Seikan Tunnel took away the shuttle boat service that used Hakodate Port for travels between Hokkaido and Japan's main island. But high technology reclaimed international trust in the deteriorating shipbuilding industry. The good and the bad times have all been consumed by Mt. Hakodate-yama whose sparkling nocturnal vista continues to marvel its viewers.
Courtesy: Commercial Tourism Section of the Hakodate Municipal Office
