Overview of Hakodate
Located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate features a relatively
temperate climate and bountiful nature and has continued to develop as
a center of administration, economy and culture in southern Hokkaido. Opened
as Japan's first port of international trade, Hakodate has experienced
contact with various foreign cultures. This influence can still be felt
in the city streets and the Western Area to this day. These cityscapes
and the night view from the top of Mt. Hakodate,fresh and abundant seafood
and hot spas are some of the assets that attract more than 4 million visitors
annually to Hakodate.
The city underwent a merger with surrounding 4 municipalities in December
of 2004 and became one of the nation's leading marine cities as a result.
In May 2005, construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line between Shin-Aomori
and Shin-Hakodate started. In June 2006, the regular international flight
service between Hakodate and Seoul (Inchon) was inaugurated.
Hakodate Chronology
1454 Masamichi Kouno builds a residence in Usukeshi. Hakodate ("box house")
named after the
form of the building.
1793 Laxman, a Russian envoy, arrives in Hakodate in the Ekaterina.
1799 Kahei Takadaya opens the Etorofu Route. Fishing grounds developed by him the following year.
1802 Ezo Magistrate's Office established in February. Renamed Hakodate Magistrate's Office in May.
1854 Treaty of Peace and Amity concluded between Commodore Perry of the US Navy and Japan.
A fleet of five US ships enters Hakodate to survey the bay.
1855 Hakodate port partially opened for provision of food and water to foreign ships.
1858 The shogunate concludes Treaty of Amity and Commerce with five countries: US, the Netherlands, Russia, UK and France.
1859 Hakodate, Yokohama, Nagasaki designated as free ports. Hakodate Port fully
opened on June 2nd. (July 1st by lunar calendar)
1864 Construction of Goryokaku, a star-shaped citadel, completed.
1869 Goryokaku surrendered to the imperial forces. Ezo renamed Hokkaido.
1922 Hakodate municipalized.
1935
July 1 designated as the Day of Opening of Port. The first Hakodate
Port Festival held on the day to celebrate the 77th anniversary of
Hakodate Port. "Hidari Tomoe" designated as the city emblem.
1939 Merges with Yunokawa town.
1966 Merges with Zenikamezawa village.
1972 Hakodate Goodwill Citizens Ship visits Nakhotka and Khabarovsk commemorating the 50th anniversary of the city government.
1972 Merges with Kameda city.
1982 Twin-city affiliation concluded with Halifax, Canada
1983 The Russian Orthodox Church designated as an important cultural property.
1988 Seikan Tunnel opens followed by the closing of the 80-year-old Seikan Ferry
1989 Seikan twin city agreement concluded with Aomori
Hakodate declared International City of Tourism
1992 Sister-city affiliations concluded with Vladivostok, Russia and Lake Macquarie, Australia
1994 Far Eastern State University Hakodate Branch opens.
International regular air route opens between Hakodate and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
1997 International Star-Shaped Cities Summit held in Hakodate.
Sister-city affiliation concluded with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
2001 Friendship-city affiliation concluded with Tianjin, China.
2003 Recognized as national Marine Frontier Science Technology Research Zone.
Hakodate Office of Consulate-General of Russian Federation in Sapporo opens.
Hakodate International Trading Incorporation, HAFEXX, opens.
2004 Merges with Toi, Esan, Todohokke and Minami-Kayabe towns.
2005 Construction of the Shin-Aomori / Shin-Hakodate section of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line started.
Regular international container route between Hakodate Port and Pusan Port,
South Korea inaugurated.
2006 International regular air route between Hakodate and Seoul (Inchon), inaugurated.
2011 Sister-city affiliation concluded with Goyang, Korea
Surrounding Environment
Hakodate is located in the south eastern part of Oshima Peninsula at latitude
41°46' north, longitude140° 44' east, and the total area is 677.87km².
With Mt. Hakodate (elev. 334m) as its pivot, the city spreads out in a
fan-like form to the north and faces Aomori across Tsugaru Straits. Surrounded
by three seas, Hakodate enjoys relatively mild climate with light snowfall
for Hokkaido, thanks to the marine climate influenced by warm Tsushima
Current.
Climate
| Classification |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
AtmosphericTemperature
|
Annual Average |
9.5 |
9.9 |
9.4 |
| Maximum |
29.5 |
33.0 |
32.5 |
| Minimum |
-11.5 |
-13.8 |
-12.1 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) |
1339.0 |
1819.0 |
1116.0 |
| Annual Average Relative Humidity (%) |
72 |
72 |
74 |
| Annual Average Wind Velocity (m/s) |
3.5 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
| Annual Average Sea-Level Pressure (hPa) |
1012.8 |
1013.3 |
1013.0 |
|
Atmospheric Temperature |
Precipitation |
| January |
-4.3 |
52.5 |
| February |
-0.4 |
39.5 |
| March |
1.1 |
16.5 |
| April |
7.0 |
96.0 |
| May |
11.0 |
113.5 |
| June |
16.4 |
35.5 |
| July |
21.2 |
87.5 |
| August |
23.0 |
133.0 |
| September |
19.5 |
274.5 |
| October |
12.6 |
80.0 |
| November |
6.6 |
90.0 |
| December |
-1.4 |
97.5 |
(2011)Data from Hakodate Marine Meteorological Observatory
Population
278,565(as of February 2012)
International & Intercity Affairs Section,
Planning Department, City of Hakodate
4-13 Shinonome-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, JAPAN 040-8666
PH: 0138-21-3619
Fax: 0138-23-7604
E-mail: hkd-intl@city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp
|
City of HAKODATE