Tianjin and Hakodate are friendly associated on October, 18th , in 2001. Hakodate is a city and port located in the south eastern part of Oshima Peninsula, Hokkaid¨, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. Its total area is 677.87km²and its population is 288£¬155£¨2008-04£©.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. 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. As a commercial and industrial center, the city's main industries are fishing, shipbuilding, and food processing. Hakodate was the first port with Shimoda (in Shizuoka prefecture) to open to foreign trade after the Kanagawa Treaty forced on the Japanese authorities by Commodore Perry in 1854. Opened (1854) to U.S. ships and a little later (1857) to general foreign trade, it was the chief port of the island until recently replaced by Sapporo . It is linked with Aomori on Honshu by the Seikan Tunnel.Opened as Japan's first port of international trade, Hakodate has experienced contact with various foreign cultures. 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. There is one of the most famous nightviews in the world. The view over looks Hakodate, Mt.Komagatake, Tsugaru Channel, and the Shimokita Peninsula. You can drive to the scenic point jor take the mountain ropeway which takes 3min. from mountain base to the top.Those 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. |
