June 24, 2009
Last Sunday, the symbolic cranes of Hakodate port were removed. The entry about the news has been added./日曜日に函館港のシンボル的なクレーンの撤去作業が行われました。そのニュース関連のエントリー追加しました。

June 3, 2009
New entry about commemorative stamps is added./記念切手についての記事追加しました。

May 1, 2009
As for an afternoon TV program, cherry blossoms in the Goryokaku Park are almost in full bloom. Let's go to Hanami tomorrow!/午後のテレビ番組によると五稜郭公園の桜はほぼ満開。明日はお花見ですね(^-^)b.

New entry about a special exhibition is added./特別展に関するニューエントリーも追加しました。

April 29, 2009
Cherry blossoms start blooming. Let's enjoy this short and beautiful season!/桜が咲き始めました。この短くて美しい季節を楽しみましょう♪

March 31, 2009
I changed the design of this blog feeling that spring is coming. I'd like to add a new entry soon./春が近づいているのを感じてこのブログのデザイン（？）を変えてみました。 新しい記事もそのうち追加したいものです。

⇒ 続きを読む

Red and white Goliath cranes have long been standing in Hakodate Port as one of the symbols of Hakodate. But they were removed on June 21 because of the aging and sold. On the removal day, many citizens who were familiar to the scene with the cranes gathered to the chuo（中央=central） pier to watch the removal action.

長い間函館のシンボルの一つとして函館港に立ち続けたゴライアスクレーンが老朽化のため売却、撤去されることになりました。撤去作業が行われた６月２１日、中央埠頭には別れを惜しむ人たちがたくさんいました。

Yesterday I went to a post office to send a package and found commemorative stamps were on sale. This year is the 150th anniversary of the Hakodate's port opening, together with those of Nagasaki and Yokohama. One sheet costs 800yen with ten eighty-yen stamps. To send a post card to overseas by air needs 70yen stamp, but how about using these commemorative stamps as a memory of being in Hakodate?

⇒ 続きを読む

Place: Municipal Museum in Hakodate Park(17-1, Aoyagi-cho, Hakodate)
Tel: 0138-23-5480
Term: Sat., April 25~Sun. , May 17, 2009
Admission: Adult 300yen, University and high school students: 200yen, Junior and elementary school students: 100yen

A hollow clay figure which was made about 3,500 years ago and designated a national treasure is now on display.

After thinking of the life in 3,500 years ago, how about visiting the small zoo in the park. I was really surprised at finding out Yakushika, tiny deer which were peculiar kind in Yakushima island. As for Yakushima, please check my previous posts.

Today I drove by the Goryokaku park and saw people enjoy drinking and eating under cherry trees. Cherry trees there are 30% bloom and in a few days, they will be in full bloom.


Then, I went to Hakodate Park, another place which is famous for its cherry blossom viewing. I found some flowers, but 10% or less in bloom. It will take five or more days to be in full bloom. But there were many people enjoy fine spring day and you can find food stalls there.


If you go to Hakodate Park and you are a history lover, I'd like to recommend to visit City Museum there. Now they own a special exhibition and you see a hollow clay figure, which is the first and only national treasure in Hokkaido. The special exhibition lasts until May 17.

As for this national treasure, please refer to my previous post, 国宝・中空土偶を見てきました(^-^)b/I went to see a national treasure, Hollow Clay Figure.

If you want to know other good places for Hanami, please see my former posts in May.