Hakodate, Japan

Mt Hakodate view over two bays surrounding this historic seaport city. 

 Our shore excursions arranged by the ship have felt more and more restrictive.  With google maps and research, we have taken more control of our time on shore by walking when and where we want to go while having time to meander into delightful discoveries. 

The Morning Market in Hakodate is one of the most interesting markets we have experienced for quite some time.  Of course, there was tons of fish but also produce and other food items displayed in an eye pleasing manner.  

                                1,000 yen for these perfectly formed succulent strawberries.

Uni Marakami Restaurant specializes in sea urchin and is located next to the market.  This dish was presented in a rice bowl with a bit of seaweed and sea urchin on top which was quickly boiled as I poured steaming soup over the rice and fish.  A local craft fruit wheat beer was quite refreshing after the soup.  Ruth Ann got the chicken.  We then walked to the ropeway station to ride the gondola up the mountain.  During our walk we commented to each other about our observations of Japanese culture.  From our viewpoint, Japanese people are quiet and polite rule followers who live the Star Trek creed that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.  Cars actually stop at stop signs and yield to pedestrians before we enter the crosswalk.  We continue to be amazed with the cleanliness and orderliness everywhere we go in Japan.

Red Brick Warehouse district is a dining and shopping mecca with many unique shops.  We browsed and bought the melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake bites for which this city is noted.  For us, experiencing local culture means eating their food.

Hakodate Seafood Cuisine was our stop for early dinner where we were served a mixed seafood tempura.  We also ordered king crab soup and I gulped three big-assed oysters (grilled).  Japanese white wine for me and ginger soda for Ruth Ann.

Cherry blossoms finally found us on our way back to the ship.  Most ended their bloom last week but we found two trees in full bloom waiting for us.

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home.” 
― James A. Michener