Watch MotomachiPark & La Vista Bay [JOM JALAN]" on YouTube
From the morning market we headed to Motomachi, where Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward is located. This is a notable historic building in Hakodate, designated as important cultural property. It has a magnificent main hall and rooms reserved for special guests. When members of the Imperial family visited Hakodate, they stayed and rested in the rooms.
Unfortunately this building is closed for a major renovation until April 2021.
Unfortunately this building is closed for a major renovation until April 2021.
Another building below it is the Motomachi Tourist Information Center. This is a Western-style building which was built for the Hakodate branch office of Hokkaido government in 1909. The decorative Corinthian columns of the entrance feature the building. Located in Motomachi Park, it is now used as an information center.
Then we took a leisurely walk around Motomachi Park.
The Motomachi neighborhood is full of historical buildings such as churches and one-time foreign residences. The exotic atmosphere of the streetscape and the sweeping views of the port from the slopes give this area its picturesque flavor.
Motomachi is a former residential area of foreign traders. The harbor of Hakodate was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1854 after Japan's era of isolation had come to an end. As a result, many traders from Russia, China and Western countries moved to Hakodate. Motomachi, at the foot of Mount Hakodate, became a district favored among the new foreign residents.
Many foreign looking buildings remain in the area today. Among the most famous are the Russian Orthodox Church, the Old British Consulate, the Chinese Memorial Hall, the prefectural government's former branch office building and the old Hakodate Public Hall
Motomachi was the first area to really develop, then, to get a glimpse of the West-influenced road that remains to this day.
With sloping streets offering panoramic views of the harbor and Western-style buildings such as foreign churches and old-fashioned consulate buildings. Relaxing around this area can be enjoyable.
Motomachi, offers the perfect backdrop for photography.
Next we headed to La Vista Bay not far from this historic building.
Walking through the shores of La Vista Bay while enjoying a refreshing sea breeze is really fun. In front of it is a marine defense base, where we can see marine ships docked; also boats speeding across the bay breaking the blue waters of the sea.
