A stroll around Hakodate's Motomachi area is a sightseeing must when in Hokkaido!
Hakodate is a city overflowing with foreign atmosphere and many excellent photo spots, from the view of the harbor looking down from Hachimanzaka to its many other historical buildings and churches such as the Former British Consulate of Hakodate.
Hakodate has many attractions such as the night view from Mt. Hakodate and Goryokaku, but this time we will introduce recommended walking courses in the Motomachi area noted for its many scenic spots which can be walked in a couple of hours or so.
Where is Hakodate?
Hakodate is a port town facing the Tsugaru Strait in the southern part of Hokkaido. Along with Yokohama and Nagasaki it was one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. For that reason it was quick to acquire foreign culture and as a result there are many buildings of both Western style and a blend of Japanese and Western styles.
Most of these are in the western district near the port and especially concentrated in Motomachi. The surrounding area contains important cultural assets such as the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and the Hakodate Orthodox Church and is designated a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings based on the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Tourists and photographers all agree that they visit this area because of its beautiful streets.
There is a strong sense of foreign influence in this neighborhood from the cobbled stone streets to the churches.
Just in the vicinity of Motomachi there are several famous places making this the perfect area to begin your sightseeing of Hakodate and here are some suggestions to assist you. We’ll introduce an easy to follow route that even those unfamiliar with the area will not have trouble following.
The city tram is convenient for seeing the sights of Hakodate!
When enjoying the sights of the city it is best to use the city trams (streetcars)
â–² They run at 6 ~ 12 minute intervals.
The closest tram stop to the area for starting a walking tour of Motomachi is Suehirocho. It is a 7-minute ride from the Hakodate Ekimae tram stop in front of JR Hakodate Station on a tram going in the direction of Hakodate Dock-mae.
â–² You pay when you get off the tram. Payment can be made with Suica and other transportation IC cards.
Feel the port-town atmosphere of Hakodate Motomachi going up the stone-paved Motoizaka
Get off the tram at Suehirocho and walk in the same direction that the tram is going, then turn left at the first traffic light. From here you can walk up Motoizaka. Milestones were used during the Meiji Era to measure distances and this place being the starting milestone gave the hill its name Motoizaka.
â–² Looking back as you go up the hill you get an excellent view of the port!
Let’s visit the Memorial Statue of the Visit of Commodore Matthew C. Perry located in a corner of a park halfway up the hill on the right side. It’s about a 5-minute walk …
