|
Hakodate, a seaport on the lower eastern coast of Hokkaido, is normally the first stop for travelers coming to the island from Honshu. Founded in 1454, Hakodate was one of four Japanese ports opened to foreign trade in 1859 as a result of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce that Japan signed with the U.S. the prior year. The city is famous for its fresh seafood (witness the daily morning market, where all kinds of fish, squid, crabs, and other seafood are sold), and is known for its ramen (where sliced squid is used instead of braised pork as a topping in the soup).
Hakodate
Prev
Next
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Mashu Maru ("maru" means "ship" in Japanese) actually carried train cars across the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido. This allowed for economical movement of food, coal, and other items between the two islands, since the train cars didn't have to be unloaded on one island and then reloaded on the other island. The Mashu Maru served until 1988, when the opening of the Seikan Tunnel pretty much forced all of the cargo ships in that area into retirement.
|
|
