View source for Hakodate

{{Expand Japanese|topic=geo|函館市|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Hakodate
| official_name          =
| native_name            = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|函館市}}}}
| settlement_type        = [[Core cities of Japan|Core city]]
| image_skyline          = Hakodate montage.jpg
| imagesize              =
| image_alt              =
| image_caption          = Clockwise from the top: [[Goryokaku]], Hakodate Orthodox Church, Night View from [[Mount Hakodate]], Hachiman-Zaka and Hakodate Port, Goryokaku Tower
| image_flag             = Flag of Hakodate, Hokkaido.svg
| flag_alt               =
| image_seal             = Emblem of Hakodate, Hokkaido.svg
| seal_alt               =
| image_shield           =
| shield_alt             =
| image_blank_emblem     =
| nickname               =
| motto                  =
| image_map              = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=9}}
| image_map1             = Hakodate in Hokkaido Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt                =
| map_caption            = <small>Location of Hakodate in [[Oshima Subprefecture|Oshima]], [[Hokkaido]]</small>
| pushpin_map            = Japan
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt        =
| pushpin_map_caption    =
| coordinates            = {{coord|41|46|07|N|140|43|44|E|region:JP-01|display=it}}
| coor_pinpoint          =
| coordinates_footnotes  =
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_name       = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1      = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_type2      = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type3      =
| subdivision_name1      = [[Hokkaido]]
| subdivision_name2      = [[Hokkaido]] ([[Oshima Subprefecture]])
| subdivision_name3      =
| government_footnotes   =
| leader_party           =
| leader_title           = Mayor
| leader_name            = Jun Ōizumi <small>(since April 2023)</small>
| leader_title1          =
| leader_name1           =
| area_footnotes         =
| area_magnitude         =
| area_total_km2         = 677.86
| area_land_km2          =
| area_water_km2         =
| area_water_percent     =
| area_note              =
| elevation_footnotes    = <ref>{{cite web |title=Where is Hakodate, Japan? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/as/jp/01/where-is-hakodate.html |website=worldatlas.com |access-date=10 June 2019 |archive-date=21 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021045626/https://www.worldatlas.com/as/jp/01/where-is-hakodate.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| elevation_m            = 15 
| population_total       = 239,813
| population_as_of       = January 31, 2024
| population_footnotes   =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est         =
| pop_est_as_of          =
| population_demonym     =
| population_note        =
| timezone1              = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1            = +9
| postal_code_type       =
| postal_code            =
| area_code              =
| area_code_type         =
| blank_name_sec1        = Phone number
| blank_info_sec1        = 0138-21-3111
| blank1_name_sec1       = Address
| blank1_info_sec1       = 4-13 Shinonome-chō, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaidō <br/> 040-8666
| blank_name_sec2        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2        = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| website                = {{URL|http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/}}
| footnotes              =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
 | tree = [[Taxus cuspidata|Japanese yew]]
 | flower = [[Azalea]]
 | bird = [[Varied tit]]
 | flowering_tree =
 | butterfly =
 | fish = [[Squid]]
 | other_symbols =
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Hakodate'''|函館市|Hakodate-shi|{{IPA|ja|ha.ko.da.te, ha.ko.da.teꜜ.ɕi}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|language=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] and [[seaports of Japan|port]] located in [[Oshima Subprefecture]], [[Hokkaido]], [[Japan]]. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of January 31, 2024, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 239,813 with 138,807 [[household]]s, and a [[population density]] of {{convert|354|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}. The total area is {{convert|677.86|km2}}. The city is the third largest in Hokkaido after [[Sapporo]] and [[Asahikawa, Hokkaido|Asahikawa]].

== History ==
Hakodate was Japan's first city whose port was opened to foreign trade in 1854, as a result of [[Convention of Kanagawa]], and used to be the most important port in northern Japan. The city was the biggest city in Hokkaido before the [[Great Fire of Hakodate]] in 1934.

=== Pre–Meiji Restoration ===
Hakodate (like other parts of around Hokkaido) was originally populated by the [[Ainu people|Ainu]]. The name "Hakodate" may have originated from an Ainu word, "hak-casi" ("shallow fort"). Another possibility is that it means "box" or "building" in Japanese which refers to the castle built by the Kono (Kano) clan in the fifteenth century.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania |publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers |year=1996 |isbn=1-884964-04-4 |editor-last=Schellinger |editor-first=Paul |location=Chicago |pages=317–320 |editor-last2=Salkin |editor-first2=Robert}}</ref>

Hakodate was founded in 1454, when Kono Kaganokami Masamichi constructed a large manor house in the fishing village of Usukeshi, the word for bay in Ainu.

After his death, Masamichi's son, Kono Suemichi, and family were driven out of Hakodate into nearby [[Kameda District, Hokkaido|Kameda]] during the Ainu rebellion in 1512 and little history was recorded for the area during the next 100 years. There was constant low-level conflict in the Oshima peninsula at the time with the Ainu, as armed merchants, like the Kono family, established bases to control trade in the region. This conflict culminated in an uprising from 1669 to 1672, led by Ainu warrior [[Shakushain's Revolt|Shakushain]] after which the Ainu in the region were suppressed.<ref>[http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft1g50046g&brand=ucpress Capitalism from Within: Economy, Society, and the State in a Japanese Fishery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511072332/http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft1g50046g&brand=ucpress |date=2020-05-11}}, David L. Howell, University of California Press 1995, retrieved 29 June 2007</ref>

Hakodate flourished during the [[Hoei|Hoei period]] (1704–11), and many new temples were founded in the area. The town's fortunes received a further boost in 1741 when the [[Matsumae clan]], which had been granted nearby areas on the [[Oshima Peninsula]] as a [[marches|march fief]], moved its Kameda magistracy to Masamichi's house in Hakodate.

In 1779, the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] took direct control over Hakodate, which triggered rapid development in the area. Merchant [[Takadaya Kahei]], who is honoured as the founder of Hakodate port, set up trading operations, which included opening the northern [[Etorofu]] sea route to the [[Kuril Islands|Kuril]] island fisheries. He is credited with turning Hakodate from a trading outpost into a thriving city. A Hakodate magistracy was established in 1802.<ref>[http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/kikaku/english/overview.html City of Hakodate official website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601053547/http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/kikaku/english/overview.html |date=2007-06-01 }}, loaded 3 April 2007</ref> By 1807, the power of the Tokugawa government extended to the entire region. However, in 1821, the central government relaxed their control of the area and restored the Matsumae clan to the full powers they had before.<ref name=":0" />

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="130" perrow="3" caption="Gallery">
File:Hakodate 1856.jpg|Lithograph entitled "View of Hakodate from Snow Peak"  looking towards the sea—artist, [[Wilhelm Heine]] (1856)
File:Port-of-Hakodate-Map-1863.png|Port of Hakodate map {{Circa|1863}}
</gallery>

=== Meiji Restoration ===
The port of Hakodate was surveyed by a fleet of five U.S. ships in 1854 under the conditions of the Convention of Kanagawa, as negotiated by Commodore [[Matthew C. Perry]].

Hakodate port partially opened to foreign ships for provisioning in the following year and then completely to foreign trade on 2 June 1859 as one of five Japanese open ports designated in the [[Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States – Japan)|1858 Treaty of Amity and Commerce]] signed with the U.S. The [[Hakodate foreign settlement]] is one of the legacies of foreign influence in Hakodate.

A mariner in Perry's fleet died during a visit to the area and became the first U.S. citizen to be buried in Japan when he was interred in Hakodate's [[Foreign cemeteries in Japan|cemetery for foreigners]].

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="130" perrow="3" caption="Gallery">
File:Naval Battle of Hakodate.jpg|[[Naval Battle of Hakodate]] (1869)
File:A view of the Hakodate Foreign Settlement, c. 1880.jpg|Omachi, one of the neighborhoods in the [[Hakodate foreign settlement]] (1880)
File:Port of Hakodate, 1897.jpg|Port of Hakodate in 1897, by [[Ogawa Kazumasa]]
File:Hakodate Goryokaku Panorama 1.JPG|[[Goryōkaku]] fortress (1866)
File:Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Hakodate Hokkaido pref Japan01n.jpg|[[Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses]] (1909)
</gallery>

British merchant, naturalist and spy [[Thomas Blakiston]] took up residence in Hakodate in the summer of 1861 to establish a saw-milling business. He stayed in Hakodate until 1884, during which time he documented the local natural environment, equipped the local meteorological station and ran guns to the [[Boshin War]] rebels.<ref>Japan in Yezo, Thomas Wright Blakiston, Yokohama: Japan Gazette, 1883. [http://www.ourheritage.net/index_page_stuff/Following_Trails/Blakiston/Blakiston_Japan1.html Online excerpts] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706030904/http://ourheritage.net/index_page_stuff/following_trails/Blakiston/Blakiston_Japan1.html |date=2007-07-06}}, retrieved 12 July 2007.</ref>

As one of few points of Japanese contact with the outside world, Hakodate was soon host to several overseas consulates. The Russian consulate included a chapel from where [[Nicholas of Japan]] is credited with introducing [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]] to Japan in 1861 (now the [[Japanese Orthodox Church]]). The Orthodox church is neighbored by several other historical missionary churches, including [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] and [[Catholic]].

Hakodate also played a central role in the [[Boshin War]] between the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] and the [[Meiji Emperor]] which followed Perry's opening of Japan. Shogunate rebel [[Enomoto Takeaki]] fled to Hakodate with the remnants of his navy and his handful of French advisers in winter 1868, including [[Jules Brunet]]. They formally established the [[Republic of Ezo]] on December 25. The republic tried unsuccessfully to gather international recognition to foreign legations in Hakodate, including the Americans, French, and Russians. The [[Naval Battle of Hakodate]] was fought from 4 to 10 May 1869, between the remnants of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] navy and the newly formed [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]. It was a decisive victory for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

On 14 June 1868, Hakodate was designated as an urban prefecture (府 fu), one of the first two, the other being [[Kyoto]]. On February 8, 1882, it was enlarged into Hakodate-ken, and then became part of [[Hokkaido]] on January 26, 1886.

The rebels occupied Hakodate's famous European-style [[Goryōkaku]] [[fort]] and used it as the centre of their defences in southern Hokkaido. Government forces defeated the secessionists in the [[Battle of Hakodate]] in 1869 and the city and fort were surrendered to emperor. Military leader, [[Hijikata Toshizō]], was one of those slain in the fighting.

In 1878, [[Isabella Bird]] reported of the city in her travelogue: 
<blockquote>The streets are very wide and clean, but the houses are mean and low. The city looks as if it had just recovered from a conflagration. The houses are nothing but tinder… Stones, however, are its prominent feature. Looking down upon it from above you see miles of grey boulders, and realise that every roof in the windy capital is "hodden doun" by a weight of paving stones.</blockquote>

=== 20th century to present day ===
{{See also|Great Fire of Hakodate}}
Hakodate was awarded [[city]] status on August 1, 1922. On March 21, 1934, a serious fire had destroyed around two-thirds of all the buildings in Hakodate. This event also led to many residents leaving and subsequently depopulating the city.<ref name=":0" /> The city escaped most of the ravages of World War II. Areas around Hakodate-yama were fortified and access restricted to the public. Many prisoners of war were interned in Hakodate and historians record a total of 10 camps.<ref>[http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/hokkaido/hakodate_area_camps.html Hakodate POW Camp Group: Camp Histories 1942 TO 1945] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611101634/http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/hokkaido/hakodate_area_camps.html |date=2007-06-11}}, ''Center for Research Allied Pows under the Japanese'', loaded 29 June 2007.</ref> The city was subjected to two Allied bombing raids on 14 and 15 July 1945. Around 400 homes were destroyed on the western side of Hakodate-yama and an Aomori-Hakodate ferry was attacked with 400 passengers killed.

In 1976, a defecting [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] pilot named [[Viktor Belenko]] flew his plane into the civilian airport in Hakodate.

Hakodate's size nearly doubled on December 1, 2004, when the town of Minamikayabe (from [[Kayabe District, Hokkaido|Kayabe District]]), and the towns of Esan and Toi, and the village of Todohokke (all from [[Kameda District, Hokkaido|Kameda District]]), were merged into it.

The [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] line opened on 26 March 2016.<ref name="doshin20150812">{{cite web |url=http://dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/economy/economy/1-0167483.html|script-title=ja: 北海道新幹線開業は来年３月２６日 ＪＲが最終調整|trans-title= Hokkaido Shinkansen to open on 26 March next year - JR Hokkaido makes final adjustments |date=12 August 2015 |work=Doshin |publisher=The Hokkaido Shimbun Press |location=Japan |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812040102/http://dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/economy/economy/1-0167483.html |archive-date=2015-08-12 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> The undersea [[Seikan Tunnel]] with the [[Shinkansen]] rail line greatly reduced the travel time from [[Honshu]] to Hakodate.

In April 2023, Jun Ōizumi became the mayor of Hakodate. Ōizumi, the older brother of actor [[Yo Oizumi]], defeated 3-term incumbent Toshiki Kudō, receiving more than 80% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brother of Popular TV Personality Set to Become Mayor of Hakodate |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/election/20230423-105317/ |access-date=3 May 2023 |publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="Gallery" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Hakodate circa 1930.JPG|Hakodate Port circa 1930
File:TBMs and SB2Cs dropping bombs.jpg|alt=Photograph of a large number of propeller-driven monoplanes dropping bombs|US Navy [[Grumman TBF Avenger]] aircraft dropping bombs on Hakodate during July 1945
</gallery>

== Geography ==
[[File:Evening view of Hakodate city from Mount Hakodate.jpg|thumb|Evening view from [[Mount Hakodate]]]]
[[Mount Hakodate]] was originally an island that was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.<ref name="hakodate-travel"/> During the course of history a sand bar formed between Mount Hakodate and the peninsula.<ref name="hakodate-travel"/> This landform, which is an example of a [[tombolo]], finished forming circa 1000 BCE.<ref name="hakodate-travel"/> The tombolo connects the former Hakodate island with the main island [[Hokkaido]] to the north.<ref name="hakodate-travel"/> The main central area of Hakodate city is located on the sandbar.<ref name="hakodate-travel">{{cite web |title=Travel Hakodate, History |date=February 15, 2017 |website=Hakodate.travel |url=https://www.hakodate.travel/en/about/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024065234/https://www.hakodate.travel/en/about/history.html |archive-date=October 24, 2020}}</ref>

Hakodate is located at the center of Kameda Peninsula. The city is overlooked by [[Mount Hakodate]]. The summit can be reached by hiking trail, [[Mt. Hakodate Ropeway|cable car]], or by car. Visitors can also reach the peak of Mount Hakodate by taking tour bus and/or direct bus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetyze.com/en/japan/hokkaido/mt-hakodate/information|title=About Mt. Hakodate - Hokkaido Travel Guide {{!}} Planetyze|website=Planetyze|language=en|access-date=2018-03-01|archive-date=2018-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301224924/https://planetyze.com/en/japan/hokkaido/mt-hakodate/information|url-status=live}}</ref> that departs from JR Hakodate Station. An obscure local nickname of the bumpy mountain is ''Gagyūzan'' (Mount Cow's Back), alluding to the way the mountain resembles a resting cow.

The former [[Goryōkaku]] fort is now used in as a public park and is popular in Hokkaido for ''[[hanami]]'' (cherry blossom viewing). Since April 2006, the park has also featured the tall, white Goryōkaku Tower. Resembling an air traffic control tower, the structure offers a panoramic view of the park, including mainland Japan across the [[Tsugaru Strait]] on clear days.

=== Nearby cities and towns ===
* [[Hokuto, Hokkaido|Hokuto]] to the west
* [[Nanae, Hokkaido|Nanae]] to the north
* [[Shikabe, Hokkaido|Shikabe]] to the north east

=== Mountains ===
[[File:Hakodate from sky.JPG|thumb|Aerial view of Hakodate with [[Mount Hakodate]] on the left side (2012)]]
* [[Mount E]] ({{cvt|618|m}}): Hokkaido's southernmost volcano
* [[Mount Hakodate]] ({{cvt|334|m}})

=== Rivers ===
* {{nihongo|Kameda River|亀田川|Kameda-gawa}}
* {{nihongo|Matsukura River|松倉川|Matsukura-gawa}}
* {{nihongo|Shiodomari River|汐泊川|Shiodomari-gawa}}

=== Cityscape ===
Hakodate has a cityscape that covers the center of the Kameda peninsula. A narrow land area separates Hakodate Bay to the west from [[Tsugaru Strait]] in the south-east side. It is best viewed from the top of [[Mount Hakodate]].
{{wide image|Panorama-Hakodate-City-10-July-2015.png|800px|Panoramic view of Hakodate (10 July 2015)}}

=== Demographics ===
The population of Hakodate increased by 402% from 28,825 to 144,749 between 1873 till 1920. Hakodate's population peaked in 1980 at 320,154, but has been gradually [[Aging of Japan|in decline]] due to aging since then.<ref name="e-stat">{{Cite web |url=http://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/GL02100104.do?tocd=00200521 |title=Statistics Bureau (Japan) |access-date=2019-09-25 |archive-date=2017-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013032914/https://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/GL02100104.do?tocd=00200521 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Historical populations
|title= [[Demography of Japan#Census|Census]] data
|source= [[Statistics Bureau (Japan)|Statistics Bureau]] [http://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/GL02100104.do?tocd=00200521 ], Japanese Imperial Commission [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6210871s/f47] (1873)
|align=none|cols=2
| graph-pos = right
|1873 |28825
|1920 |144749
|1925 |163972
|1930 |197252
|1935 |207480
|1940 |203862
|1950 |228994
|1955 |242582
|1960 |243012
|1965 |243418
|1970 |241663
|1975 |307453
|1980 |320154
|1985 |319194
|1990 |307249
|1995 |298881
|2000 |287637
|2005 |294264
|2010 |279127
|2015 |265979
}}

=== Climate ===
According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Hakodate's climate is Hot Summer [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] (''Dfa'') of hot summers and winters with regular intense [[blizzard]]s. With an alternate definition, using the {{cvt|-3|°C}} isotherm, Hakodate falls in the [[Humid subtropical climate|Humid Subtropical Climate]] (''Cfa'') commonly found on the east coast of the continents. The warmest month has an average temperature of {{cvt|22.1|°C}}. And so the city is the limit of hot summer climates for a city on the immediate coast in [[Japan]] (''Cfa''/''Dfa''), although appearing in other interior regions of the province.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://portais.ufg.br/up/68/o/Classifica____o_Clim__tica_Koppen.pdf |title=Koppen Climate Classification |access-date=2018-10-08 |archive-date=2019-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412021303/https://portais.ufg.br/up/68/o/Classifica____o_Clim__tica_Koppen.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hakodate has snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Winters are cold for the latitude (the same as [[Northern California]]) but milder than much of Hokkaido.

Hakodate features four distinct seasons. The city sees a substantial amount of snowfall during the course of the year, averaging roughly {{cvt|380|cm|in}} of snow annually. Spring typically begins with some snowfall, but sees a gradual warming trend as the season progress. Summers are generally warm but not hot, with average high temperatures in the warmest month (August) hovering around {{cvt|26|°C}}. Fall initially is warm but becomes increasingly colder as the season progress. It is not uncommon to see snowfall in the latter parts of the fall season. 
{{Weather box
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = y
|location = Hakodate, elevation {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1872−present)
|Jan record high C = 12.5
|Feb record high C = 13.6
|Mar record high C = 16.9
|Apr record high C = 23.0
|May record high C = 28.0
|Jun record high C = 29.1
|Jul record high C = 33.6
|Aug record high C = 35.4
|Sep record high C = 32.6
|Oct record high C = 27.8
|Nov record high C = 21.5
|Dec record high C = 16.3
|Jan record low C = -21.7
|Feb record low C = -20.4
|Mar record low C = -18.9
|Apr record low C = -8.6
|May record low C = -5.0
|Jun record low C = 2.0
|Jul record low C = 6.3
|Aug record low C = 9.0
|Sep record low C = 1.7
|Oct record low C = -4.0
|Nov record low C = -12.1
|Dec record low C = -19.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 77.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 64.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 64.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 71.9
|May precipitation mm = 88.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 79.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 123.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 156.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 150.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 105.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 110.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 94.6
|year precipitation mm = 1188.0
|Jan mean C = -2.4
|Feb mean C = -1.8
|Mar mean C = 1.9
|Apr mean C = 7.3
|May mean C = 12.3
|Jun mean C = 16.2
|Jul mean C = 20.3
|Aug mean C = 22.1
|Sep mean C = 18.8
|Oct mean C = 12.5
|Nov mean C = 6.0
|Dec mean C = -0.1
|year mean C = 9.4
|Jan high C = 0.9
|Feb high C = 1.8
|Mar high C = 5.8
|Apr high C = 12.0
|May high C = 17.0
|Jun high C = 20.4
|Jul high C = 24.1
|Aug high C = 25.9
|Sep high C = 23.2
|Oct high C = 17.1
|Nov high C = 10.0
|Dec high C = 3.2
|year high C = 13.5
|Jan low C = -6.0
|Feb low C = -5.7
|Mar low C = -2.2
|Apr low C = 2.8
|May low C = 8.0
|Jun low C = 12.6
|Jul low C = 17.3
|Aug low C = 18.9
|Sep low C = 14.6
|Oct low C = 7.8
|Nov low C = 1.8
|Dec low C = -3.6
|year low C = 5.5
|Jan humidity = 73
|Feb humidity = 71
|Mar humidity = 68
|Apr humidity = 67
|May humidity = 73
|Jun humidity = 79
|Jul humidity = 82
|Aug humidity = 81
|Sep humidity = 76
|Oct humidity = 73
|Nov humidity = 71
|Dec humidity = 74
|year humidity = 74
|Jan sun = 103.1
|Feb sun = 117.9
|Mar sun = 158.7
|Apr sun = 186.1
|May sun = 198.5
|Jun sun = 172.6
|Jul sun = 134.4
|Aug sun = 148.0
|Sep sun = 160.8
|Oct sun = 163.9
|Nov sun = 109.4
|Dec sun = 91.5
|year sun = 1744.9
|Jan snow cm = 91
|Feb snow cm = 74
|Mar snow cm = 41
|Apr snow cm = 2
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 18
|Dec snow cm = 79
|year snow cm = 306
| Jan snow depth cm = 34
| Feb snow depth cm = 41
| Mar snow depth cm = 28
| Apr snow depth cm = 1
| May snow depth cm = 0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0
| Nov snow depth cm = 9
| Dec snow depth cm = 22
| year snow depth cm = 45
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19.9
|Feb precipitation days = 17.5
|Mar precipitation days = 16.8
|Apr precipitation days = 12.2
|May precipitation days = 11.1
|Jun precipitation days = 8.9
|Jul precipitation days = 10.2
|Aug precipitation days = 10.4
|Sep precipitation days = 11.9
|Oct precipitation days = 12.9
|Nov precipitation days = 16.7
|Dec precipitation days = 19.2
|year precipitation days = 167.7
| Jan uv  =1
| Feb uv  =2
| Mar uv  =4
| Apr uv  =6
| May uv  =8
| Jun uv  =9
| Jul uv  =9
| Aug uv  =8
| Sep uv  =6
| Oct uv  =4
| Nov uv  =2
| Dec uv  =1
|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=23&block_no=47430&year=&month=&day=&view= |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値 |publisher=[[Japan Meteorological Agency]]| access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref>
|source 2 = Weather Atlas (UV)<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/japan/hakodate-climate|title = Hakodate, Japan – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast|publisher = Weather Atlas|access-date = 5 August 2022}}</ref>}}
<div style="width: 80%;"></div>
{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Hakodate.tab
| title=Hakodate temperature
}}

== Economy ==
Prior to its dissolution, [[Air Hokkaido]] was headquartered in Hakodate.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20040611163619/http://www.adk.ana-g.com/kaisya.htm 会社案内]." ''[[Air Hokkaido]]''. June 11, 2004. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref> In January 2006, the regional airline [[Airtransse]] was headquartered in Hakodate.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060106224259/http://www.airtransse.com/company.html 会社概要]." ''[[Airtransse]]''. January 6, 2006. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref>

== Culture and landmarks ==
[[File:Hakodate-Shio-Ramen.png|thumb|Hakodate shio (salt) ramen]]
[[File:Hakodate Squid Manhole Cover.jpg|thumb|A Manhole cover]]
[[File:中空土偶.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hollow Dogū]], the only [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasure]] in Hokkaidō, is exhibited at the [[Hakodate Jōmon Culture Center]]]]
In Funami-cho there is the Koryu-ji temple. It's the oldest Buddhist temple (affiliated with the [[Sōtō|Soto]] school) in the region which was built in 1633. It was badly damaged during the [[Boshin War]] and moved to its current location in 1879. The existing main building was built in 1900.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/shrine-temple-church/koryu-ji-temple |title=Koryu-ji Temple |website=hakodate.travel |access-date=30 October 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031044051/https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing_spots/shrine-temple-church/koryu-ji-temple |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mij-only.com/buildings/en/koryuji.html?cv=Temples |title=Koryu-ji Shows the Boshin War in Silence |last=Youhei |first=Misaka |date=8 April 2018 |website=Made in Japan Only |access-date=30 October 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924231646/https://mij-only.com/buildings/en/koryuji.html?cv=Temples |url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is well known for seafood and [[sushi]]. Hakodate shio (salt) [[ramen]] is also a famous specialty of the city. Shio ramen has a pale, clear, broth made with plenty of salt and any combination of chicken, pork bone, vegetables, fish, and [[seaweed]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2017/10/07/food/hokkaidos-hakodate-heaven-gourmands-stripes/#.XdcBUeyIa00 |title=Hokkaido's Hakodate is heaven for gourmands of all stripes |last=Young |first=Davey |date=7 October 2017 |website=The Japan Times |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114013819/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2017/10/07/food/hokkaidos-hakodate-heaven-gourmands-stripes/#.XdcBUeyIa00 |url-status=live}}</ref> On a similar note, Hakodate's city fish is the squid. Hakodate is famous for the restaurant Ikkatei Tabiji, which serves a dish called "dancing squid": - a recently deceased squid is served with soy sauce, the sodium of the soy sauce causes a [[cadaveric spasm]] when it is poured over the squid.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-12 |title=WATCH: How Is This Dead Squid Dancing? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dancing-squid-dead-cuttlefish-soy-sauce_n_2663377 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

Every year (August) the city gets together for the Hakodate Port Festival. Many citizens gather in the streets to dance a wiggly dance known as the ''Ika-odori'' (Squid Dance), the name of which describes the dance appropriately. The glowing lights of squid-catching boats can be seen in the waters surrounding the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://taiken.co/single/the-squid-dance-of-hakodate/ |title=The Squid Dance of Hakodate |date=20 March 2015 |website=Taiken Japan |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929082237/https://taiken.co/single/the-squid-dance-of-hakodate/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://hokkaido-labo.com/en/hakodate-summer-festival-18511 |title=4 charming summer festivals in Hakodate and southern Hokkaido |date=6 July 2017 |newspaper=Hokkaido-Labo |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031092359/https://hokkaido-labo.com/en/hakodate-summer-festival-18511 |url-status=live}}</ref> The bell of Haristos Orthodox Church is one of the [[100 Soundscapes of Japan]].

The Hakodate Fish Market (otherwise known as the Asaichi or the Morning Market) is approximately 10-minute walk from the JR Hakodate Station. It is open daily and boasts hundreds of fish and sea food stands in addition to restaurants. Popular fares include sea urchin and calamari, the famous Japanese snow crab from the famous Hokkaido waters.

* [[Hakodate City Museum]]
* [[Hakodate City Museum of Literature]]
* [[Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples]]
* [[Hakodate Dock Red Brick Warehouses]]
* [[Hakodate Hachiman Shrine]]
* [[Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido]]
* [[Hakodate Jōmon Culture Center]]
* [[Hakodate Park]]
* [[Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses]]
* [[Mount Hakodate Ropeway]]
* [[Our Lady of the Angels Trappistine Abbey]]
* [[Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate|Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church]]
* [[Shinoridate|Shinori-date]]
* [[Shiryōkaku]]

== Transportation ==
[[File:Hakodate-lrt.svg|thumb|300px|A map of Hakodate tram: red and blue represent [[Hakodate Transportation Bureau|trams]], grey represents rail, dashed purple represents [[Mount Hakodate Ropeway|Mt. Hakodate ropeway]], while dashed blue represents ferries]]
[[File:Hakodate Station Hokkaido Japan01s3.jpg|thumb|[[Hakodate Station|Hakodate railway Station]]]]
[[File:Hakodate-Airport-01.jpg|thumb|[[Hakodate Airport]]]]
[[File:Hakodate Transportation Bureau type 9600 tramcar.jpg|thumb|Hakodate tram]]
[[Hakodate Transportation Bureau]] operates [[tram]] lines.

The [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] opened in March 2016. It currently runs to [[Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station]] through the [[Seikan Tunnel]] from [[Shin-Aomori Station]]. The new terminal is {{cvt|17|km}} away from Hakodate Station. There are plans to extend the Hokkaido Shinkansen north to [[Sapporo Station]] by 2038.
* [[Hokkaido Railway Company|JR Hokkaido]] station
** [[Hakodate Main Line]]: [[Hakodate Station]] - [[Goryōkaku Station]] - [[Kikyō Station]]
** [[South Hokkaido Railway Company]]: Goryōkaku Station
* [[Hakodate Airport]]
* [[Port of Hakodate]]
* [[Hokkaido Expressway]]

== Media ==
In Hakodate, there are mass media  and information and telecommunications providers such as newspaper companies, TV broadcasters, community broadcasters, and cable TV operators.

=== Newspapers ===
* Hakodate Newspaper

=== Television ===
* HBC Hakodate Broadcasting Station
* NHK Hakodate Broadcasting Station
* STV Hakodate Broadcasting Station

=== Radio ===
* FM Iruka

=== Cable TV ===
* NCV Hakodate Center

== Education ==
=== Universities ===
'''National'''
* [[Hokkaido University]], Hakodate Campus
* [[Hokkaido University of Education]], Hakodate Campus
'''Public'''
* [[Future University Hakodate]]
'''Private'''
* [[Hakodate Junior College]]
* [[Hakodate Otani College]]
* [[Hakodate University]]
* [[:ja:専修学校ロシア極東大函館校|Russia Kyokutou University Hakodate school]]

=== Colleges ===
'''National'''
* [[National Institute of Technology, Hakodate College]]

=== High schools ===
==== Public ====
* Hakodate City High School
* [[Hokkaido Hakodate Chubu High School]]
* Hokkaido Hakodate Commercial High School
* Hokkaido Hakodate Nishi High School
* Hokkaido Hakodate Ryohoku High School
* Hokkaido Hakodate Technical High School
* Hokkaido Minamikayabe High School
* Hokkaido Toi High School

==== Private ====
* [[Hakodate La Salle Junior High School & Senior High School]]
* [[Hakodate Shirayuri Gakuen Junior High School & Senior High School]]
* [[Hakodate Otani High School]]
* [[Hakuryo High School affiliated with Hakodate University]]
* [[Iai Joshi Women's Academy]]
* [[Otsuma High School]]
* [[Seisho Gakuin High School]]
* [[Yuto High School affiliated with Hakodate University]]

== Sister cities ==
* {{flagdeco|Canada}} [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], Canada (since 1982)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/docs/2014013100518/ |title=Sister Cities and Friendship City of Hakodate |access-date=2015-11-15 |archive-date=2015-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032639/http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/docs/2014013100518/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twin City Hakodate Japan |url=https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/municipal-archives/exhibits/halifax-hakodate-twinning |publisher=Halifax Municipal Archives |access-date=22 October 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[Vladivostok]], [[Primorsky Krai]], Russia (since 1992)
* {{flagdeco|Australia}} [[City of Lake Macquarie]], [[New South Wales]], Australia (since 1992)
* {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]], [[Sakhalin Oblast]], Russia (since 1997)
* {{flagdeco|Singapore}} [[Singapore]] (since 1992)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrating 50 Years of the Merlion: Stories Behind the National Icon |url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/stories-landing/stories/celebrating-50-years-of-the-merlion-stories-behind-the-national-icon/story |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.roots.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Tianjin]], China (since 2001)
* {{flagdeco|South Korea}} [[Goyang]], [[Gyeonggi-do]], South Korea (since 2011)

== Notable people ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2012}}

* [[Glay]], rock/pop band
* [[Great Kojika]], [[Puroresu|Japanese professional wrestler]], founder and chairman of [[Big Japan Pro Wrestling]] (Real Name: Shinya Koshika, [[Nihongo]]: 小鹿 信也, ''Koshika Shinya'')
* [[Juran Hisao]], mystery writer
* [[Kōhan Kawauchi]], screenwriter
* [[Saburō Kitajima]], singer
* [[Hidemi Kon]], literary critic
* [[Naoko Matsui]], voice actress
* [[Gorô Naya]], voice actor
* [[Kogo Noda]], screenwriter
* [[Kazuo Ohno]], Butoh dancer
* [[Menso-re Oyaji]], [[Puroresu|Japanese professional wrestler]] (Real Name: Yohei Nakajima, [[Nihongo]]: 中島洋平, ''Nakajima Yōhei'')
* [[Hideko Takamine]], actress
* [[Yuki (singer)|Yuki]], musician (Real Name: Yuki Kuramochi, [[Nihongo]]: 倉持 有希, ''Kuramochi Yuki'')

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hakodate, Hokkaido}}
{{Wikivoyage|Hakodate}}
* [http://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/ Official Website]
* {{cite news |url=https://www.sankei.com/photo/story/news/210222/sty2102220002-n1.html |title=北の猫はＢＡＲに（も）いる 北海道・函館【肉球マニアに捧ぐ猫の日SPL.】 |work=Sankei |date=2021-02-22 |language=ja}}

{{Hokkaido}}
{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Most populous cities in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hakodate, Hokkaido}}
[[Category:Hakodate| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1450s]]
[[Category:Cities in Hokkaido]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Capitals of former nations]]
[[Category:1454 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:1450s establishments in Japan]]