Hokkaido is an Island in the Northern part of the Japanese archipelago. It is Japan’s second largest island. The island is not as populated as the other southern islands of Japan, but it does offer a much-needed connection to nature. Vacation here brings out the appreciation of what mother nature can offer to our spirit and mind in a variation of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Our trip was in October, but we shall return to reconnect with mother nature again.
From Hakodate Airport, a short train ride to the city of Hakodate and a taxi ride to our hotel, brought us to the foot of Mt. Hakodate. Mt. Hakodate offers many mountain trails for hiking. But most popular is the cable ride up the mountain to see the night view of Hakodate Bay.
At the foot of Mt. Hakodate is a Japanese Hamburger chain “Lucky Pierrot”. This one has Christmas every day. By the way, we found another one at the Bay Area, the next day, which was packed and had a whole different decoration and atmosphere. It is renowned for its huge hamburgers and egg wrapped rice.
Bay Area consists of Red Brick buildings which used to be warehouses when ships still come in with their cargoes. These old warehouses are now converted to unique shops of various goods, lining along the water front. It is still a good place for recreational boating. The openness of bay and the smoothness of the water is calming. A good place to replenish some snacks and have light breakfast.
A few feet down the street is the Morning Market. The morning market consists of shops of fresh vegetables, seafood of all sorts, and vendors of freshly prepared food. Also, there is the “Donburi Yokocho” restaurant arcade, selling Japanese style fresh seafood dishes. The most famous is “seafood rice bowl” which is a bowl of rice topped with different raw seafood. One must try it to really know how fresh raw seafood could taste so good without requiring seasoning, not even salt. Although soy sauces were provided.
The food here is both fresh and healthy. The taste is pure delicious like no others. Just for this, I shall return.
The Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort complete with a moat around it. It now serves as a park with lots of red pine trees and cherry trees. There is a Magistrate’s Office which is an example of Traditional Japanese Mastery. Nearby is the Goryokaku Tower which offers a bird’s eye view.
awesome retirement 