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L
ocated 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 about 5 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 Kawano 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.
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 677.79km². 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
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2003
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2004
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2005
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Atmospheric
Temperature
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Annual Average
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9.1
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10.1
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9.2
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| Maximum
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28.0
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32.2
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30.7
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| Minimum
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-9.8
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-11.1
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-12.7
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| Annual Precipitation (mm)
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960.5
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1,468.0
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1,148.0
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| Annual Average Relative Humidity (%)
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73
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71
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73
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| Annual Average Wind Velocity (m/s)
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3.4
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3.6
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3.5
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| Annual Average Sea-Level Pressure (hPa)
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1,013.9
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1,012.8
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1,011.9
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Atmospheric Temperature
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Precipitation
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| January
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-2.0
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131.5
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| February
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-3.3
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97.0
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| March
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0.9
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80.5
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| April
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7.4
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61.5
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| May
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10.4
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63.5
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| June
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16.8
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43.0
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| July
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19.3
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180.5
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| August
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23.6
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101.0
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| September
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19.2
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105.0
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| October
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13.5
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83.0
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| November
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6.1
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108.5
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| December
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-1.9
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93.0
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(2005)
Data from Hakodate Marine Meteorological Observatory
Population
294,732 (as of May 2006)
International Exchanges
Capitalizing on the history of development as Japan's first port of international
trade, Hakodate is engaged in a variety of international exchanges. Among
them are friendly relations with four sister cities and a friendship city,
commercial relations with neighbouring countries through the collaboration
with Hakodate International Trading Incorporation, and the participation
in the International Star-Shaped Citadel Cities Summit that aims at world
peace.
Sister Cities
Halifax, Canada
(affiliated in 1982)
In response to the growing voice requiring a sister city abroad, the affiliation
was concluded with Halifax that shares some similarities with Hakodate
such as Halifax Citadel comparable to Goryokaku. Affiliated in 1982 at
the time of the 60th anniversary of the Hakodate city administration.
Activities:
-Administrative, economic, civic delegations visiting each other
-Language study tours for high school students
-College students' exchanges
-Library exchanges
-Co-hosting of the International Star-Shaped Citadel Cities Summit
-Support for the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy
Vladivostok, Russia
(affiliated in 1992)
Affiliated at the time of the 70th anniversary of the Hakodate city administration as a result of an active campaign by friendship associations among citizens.
Activities:
-Opening of Far Eastern State University Hakodate Branch
-Administrative, economic, civic delegations visiting each other
-Exchange program of city workers
-Mutual visits by medical technicians
-Dispatch of a delegation of economic survey
-Youth exchange programs and other educational, cultural and sport exchanges
Lake Macquarie, Australia
(affiliated in 1992)
Affiliated at the time of the 70th anniversary of the Hakodate city administration as a result of active exchanges among citizens in the fields of education and sports.
Activities:
-Administrative, economic, civic delegations visiting each other
-Youth and language instructors exchange programs
-Mutual dispatch of athletes for the half-marathon events in both cities
-Exchange of sports delegations
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
(affiliated in 1997)
Affiliated in 1997 following the regular air route established in April, 1994.
Activities:
-Biweekly flight connects the two cities in two hours.
-Youth exchange programs with home-stay
-Administrative, economic, civic delegations visiting each other
-Mutual visits by civic orchestras of both cities
-Various Sakhalin Projects related business established by using the regular air route.
Tianjin, China
(friendship-city affiliation in 2001)
Many citizens visited Tianjin since the charter flights between Hakodate started in 1995. Various exchanges started at the same time and developed to aim at the opening of the regular air route between the two cities, among which are school and hospital exchanges. Affiliated as friendship-city in 2001 as a result of such activities.
Activities:
-Administrative, economic, civic delegations visiting each other
-School exchanges
International Star-Shaped Citadel Cities Summit
The International Star-Shaped Citadel Cities Summit is held every three
years with the participation of the world's cities with star-shaped citadels.
Its purpose is to explore various topics ranging from historical and cultural
aspects of the citadels to the future roles of cities and citadels, and
to achieve active development of the local community. The summit also aims
at fostering friendship among all participants and thus contributing to
the long and lasting world peace.
The 1st Summit
Date: July 30 - August 1,1997
Place: Hakodate
Participating cities: 10 cities from 9 countries
The 2nd Summit
Date: July 6 - July 9, 2000
Place: Palmanova, Italy
Participating cities: 9 cities from 8 countries
The 3rd Summit
Date: August 5 - August 9, 2003
Place: St. Petersburg, Russia and Hamina, Finland co-hosted
Participating cities: 5 cities from 5 countries
The 4th Summit
Date: July 8 - July 11, 2006
Place: Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
Participating cities: 6 cities from 6 countries
The 5th Summit
To be held in 2009
Member cities: Hellevoetsluis (Netherlands), Halifax(Canada), Hamina (Finland), Hue (Viet Nam), Palmanova (Italy), St. Petersburg (Russia), Nicosia (Cyprus), Saku (Japan), Hakodate
International 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
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| Copyright 2006, City of Hakodate, All rights reserved.
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