Guide for Daily Living in Hakodate
FOREWORD
In 1859, Hakodate, along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, was opened as an international trade port. As a result of a long history of international exchange and cultural contact with many countries, Hakodate has an exotic atmosphere with many buildings of various foreign architectural styles and historic areas.
In recent years, the City of Hakodate has promoted exchanges with its sister cities (Halifax in Canada, Vladivostok in the Russian Federation and Lake Macquarie in Australia) as well as with other foreign cities. Many exchange promotion groups in Hakodate have been actively involved in international exchanges. Because of these activities, a number of foreigners have visited and lived in Hakodate.
We have compiled this English guide in order to help foreignerslive comfortably in Hakodate.
We will be happy if this guide provides you with the information you need.
City of Hakodate

CONTENTS
I. Emergencies
  1. Fire
  2. Traffic Accidents and Crimes
  3. Lost and Found Items
  4. How to Use an Ambulance
  5. Earthquakes
  6. Hospitals
  7. How to Make Emergency Calls
  8. Places for Disaster Refuge
II. Public Services
  1. Garbage and Trash Collection
  2. Water
  3. Electricity
  4. Gas
  5. Telephone
  6. Postal Services
  7. Banks
  8. Transportation
  9. Resident's Advisory Service
III. Bureaucracy
  1. Alien Registrasion
  2. Taxes
  3. National Health Insurance
  4. National Pension
  5. Driving and Traffic Signs
IV. Health and Education
  1. Health Care for Mothers and Children
  2. Day Nurseries
  3. Kindergartens
  4. Elememtary Schools and Junior
    High Schools
  5. Health Management
V. Useful Information
  1. Housing
  2. Neighborhood Associations
  3. Newspaper and Television
  4. Useful Vocabulary
  5. Public Facilities for Culture and Sport
    in Hakodate
  6. Festivals and Events in Hakodate
  7. National Holidays in Japan

Contact and Address for Information
International Affairs section
Planning Department
Hakodate City Hall 4-13
Sinonome-Cho Hakodate Japan 040
Tel: 138-21-3619
Fax: 138-23-7604
E-mail: hkd-intl@city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp
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