After crossing the under-sea tunnel that bridges Honshyu and Hokkaido, Hakodate is the first major station in Hokkaido.
I have not intended to stay long in Hakkodate. Preferring to move further north in Hokkaido. But fate has her way of screwing up one's plan.
Once reaching Hakkodate, I was to cross over to another platform to catch a connecting train. But the train was no where in sight. And none of the LED signboard shows the leaving time of the train I was to bord. Very unlike JR. There was some commotion at the ticket gate, and on crosser inspection, I realize an "act of god" has made the ever-reliable JR failing to have a train move out on time.
Apparently, the rain has caused a mudslide somewhere between Hakkodate and Sapporo, which has washed up on the track.
With no where to go, I decided to stay for the night. With a full day ahead, I went on a little walk around town.
Hakkodate reminds me of San Fransisco. It does not have anything like the Golden Gate Bridge. But, it is a port city, and with a hill near the sea, many of the streets are slope that lead directly to the sea...just like in SF. Plus there is a working tram system running in the city.
Being a port city, Hakodate used to be one of the few places westerns are allowed to enter the country. The western buildings the westerners left behind are highlight of the walking tour around town. Even today, Hokadate sees herself as a window to Japan for foreigners, and here's sign of her ties to neighboring Russia.
Interestingly, some of the best (in terms of FengSui) place in Hakodate are reserved for the dead. There are quite a number of foreigner cemetaries near high places on the hill. And without fail, the tomb overlook the sea. Apparently, all these foreign souls yearn to go home to where they were from.
No comments:
Post a Comment