City of Hakodate Outline [函館市の概要]

Geography

Located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate with a relatively temperate climate and bountiful nature has continued to develop as a center of administration, economy and culture of southern Hokkaido. Opened as Japan's first port of international trade, Hakodate has experienced contact with various foreign cultures. The influence is evident in the city streets and the Western Area today. These cityscapes and the night view from the top of Mt. Hakodate, as well as fresh seafood and hot spas are part of the attractions that bring more than 5 million visitors annually to Hakodate.

Hakodate amalgamated with surrounding 4 municipalities in December of 2004 and became one of the nation's leading marine cities. In May 2005. The regular international flight service between Hakodate and Taipei was inaugurated in September 2012.

 

History

1454　Masamichi Kono builds a residence in Usukeshi.Hakodate named after the formed of the building; ‘hako’ for box, ‘date’ for house.

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 the same year.

1854　Japan–US Treaty of Peace and Amity concluded between Shogunate and Commodore Mathew Perry.A fleet of five US ships enters Hakodate to survey the bay.

1855　The port of Hakodate opened for provision to foreign ships.

1858　Treaty of Commerce and Amity concluded with US, Netherlands, Russia,UK and France.

1859　Hakodate,Yokohama and Nagasaki designated as free ports.Hakodate port fully opened on June 2 (July 1 by new calendar)

1864　Construction of Goryokaku completed.

1869　Goryokaku surrendered to the army of the new Meiji government Ezo renamed Hokkaido.

1922　The city administration established.

1935　July 1 designated as the Ocean Day.The first Hakodate Port Festival held on the day to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the port pening “Hidari-domoe (swirl)" designated as the city emblem.

1939　Merges with Yunokawa town.

1966　Merges with Zenigamezawa village.

1972　"Ship of Hakodate citizen" 50th Anniversary municipal organization enforcement visit Nakhodka and Khabarovsk two cities.

1973　Merges with Kameda city.

1982　Sister-City affiliation concluded with Halifax (Canada)

1983　Holy Resurrection Cathedral of Hakodate Orthodox Church designated as an important cultural property.

1988　Seikan Tunnel opens followed by the closing of the 80-year history f Seikan Ferry.

1989　Seikan Twin-City agreement concluded with Aomori Hakodate declares International City of Tourism.

1992　Sister-City affiliations concluded with Vladivostok (Russia) and ake Macquarie (Australia)

1994　Far Eastern State University Hakodate Branch opened.

1997　International Star-Shaped Citadel Cities Summit held in Hakodate ister-City affiliation concluded with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

2001　Friendship-city affiliation concluded with Tianjin (PRC)

2003　Designated as Marine Frontier Science Technology Research Zone.Hakodate Office of Consulate-General of Russian Federation in Sapporo opens.Hakodate International Trading Incorporation HAFEXX established.

2004　Merges with Toi, Esan, Todohokke and Minamikayabe towns.

2005　Regular international container route between Hakodate and Busang (South Korea) started.

2011　Sister-City affiliation concluded with Goyang (South Korea)

2012  Regular air service between Hakodate and Taipei opened.

2016  Hokkaido Shinkansen begins operations.

2021  Hakodate New Outer Ring Road opened between "Akagawa IC and Hakodate Airport IC". "Jomon Monuments of Hokkaido and the Northern Tohoku Region” registered as a World Heritage site.

 

Data (Climate & Population)

Hakodate is located in the south-east of Oshima Peninsula and situated at longitude 140°44′ East and latitude 41°46′ North. The total area is 677.87 square kilo meters. It spreads to the north with Mt. Hakodate (344m elev.) at its base. Aomori is situated on the coast across the Tsugaru Channel. Being surrounded by three seas and influenced by Tsushima Current, Hakodate with its maritime climate enjoys comparatively mild climate with less snowfall than other parts of Hokkaido.

 

気候

Average Temperature　℃（℉）

• Jan.　-2.4℃（27.7℉）
• Feb.　-1.8℃（28.8℉）
• Mar.　1.9℃（35.4℉）
• Apr.　7.3℃（45.1℉）
• May.　12.3℃（54.1℉）
• Jun.　16.2℃（61.2℉）
• Jul.　20.3℃（68.5℉）
• Aug.　22.1℃（71.8℉）
• Sep.　18.8℃（65.8℉）
• Oct.　12.5℃（54.5℉）
• Nov.　6.0℃（42.8℉）
• Dec.　-0.1℃（31.8℉）
• Yearly　9.4℃（48.9℉）

Average High Temperature　℃（℉）

• Jan.　0.9℃（33.6℉）
• Feb.　1.8℃（35.2℉）
• Mar.　5.8℃（42.4℉）
• Apr.　12.0℃（53.6℉）
• May.　17.0℃（62.6℉）
• Jun.　20.4℃（68.7℉）
• Jul.　24.1℃（75.4℉）
• Aug.　25.9℃（78.6℉）
• Sep.　23.2℃（73.8℉）
• Oct.　17.1℃（62.8℉）
• Nov.　10.0℃（50.0℉）
• Dec.　3.2℃（37.8℉）
• Yearly　13.5℃（56.3℉）

Average Low Temperature　℃（℉）

• Jan.　-6.0℃（21.2℉）
• Feb.　-5.7℃（21.7℉）
• Mar.　-2.2℃（28.0℉）
• Apr.　2.8℃（37.0℉）
• May.　8.0℃（46.4℉）
• Jun.　12.6℃（54.7℉）
• Jul.　17.3℃（63.1℉）
• Aug.　18.9℃（66.0℉）
• Sep.　14.6℃（58.3℉）
• Oct.　7.8℃（46.0℉）
• Nov.　1.8℃（35.2℉）
• Dec.　-3.6℃（25.5℉）
• Yearly　5.5℃（41.9℉）

Rainfall　mm（inch）

• Jan.　77.4mm（3.047inch）
• Feb.　64.5mm（2.539inch）
• Mar.　64.1mm（2.524inch）
• Apr.　71.9mm（2.831inch）
• May.　88.9mm（3.5inch）
• Jun.　79.8mm（3.142inch）
• Jul.　123.6mm（4.866inch）
• Aug.　156.5mm（6.161inch）
• Sep.　150.5mm（5.925inch）
• Oct.　105.6mm（4.157inch）
• Nov.　110.8mm（4.362inch）
• Dec.　94.6mm（3.724inch）
• Yearly　1,188.0mm（46.772inch）

Snowfall　cm（inch）

• Jan.　91cm（35.8inch）
• Feb.　74cm（29.1inch）
• Mar.　41cm（16.1inch）
• Apr.　2cm（0.8inch）
• May.　0cm（0inch）
• Jun.　0cm（0inch）
• Jul.　0cm（0inch）
• Aug.　0cm（0inch）
• Sep.　0cm（0inch）
• Oct.　0cm（0inch）
• Nov.　18cm（7.1inch）
• Dec.　79cm（31.1inch）
• Yearly　306cm（120.5inch）

Relative Humidity　%

• Jan.　73%
• Feb.　71%
• Mar.　68%
• Apr.　67%
• May.　73%
• Jun.　79%
• Jul.　82%
• Aug.　81％
• Sep.　76%
• Oct.　73%
• Nov.　71%
• Dec.　74%
• Yearly　74%

Average Wind Speed　㎧

• Jan.　3.7㎧
• Feb.　3.8㎧
• Mar.　4.1㎧
• Apr.　4.0㎧
• May.　3.5㎧
• Jun.　3.2㎧
• Jul.　3.0㎧
• Aug.　3.1㎧
• Sep.　3.4㎧
• Oct.　3.6㎧
• Nov.　3.8㎧
• Dec.　3.9㎧
• Yearly　3.6㎧

※Averages for 1991-2020 (Japan Meteorological Agency）

 

Population

238,435(as of April 2024)

 

City Hall Access

City Hall Hours　8:45～17:30（Closed on Sat, Sun, National Holidays and Dec. 29~Jan.3）

 

Inquiries

International & Intercity Affairs Section, Hakodate City Hall

Address  4-13 Shinonome-cho  〒040-8666

TEL　0138-21-3619　

FAX　0138-23-7604

Email   hkd-intl@city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp