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After the defeat of the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Boshin War (1868-1869), a part of the Shogun's navy led by Admiral Enomoto Takeaki fled to the northern island of Ezo (now known as Hokkaid?). On 25 December 1868, the Ezo Republic declared its independence, and elected Enomoto as its president.
However, Imperial forces soon consolidated their hold on mainland Japan, and in May 1869 dispatched a fleet to Ezo. With no prospect of victory, Enomoto decided to destroy his arms, and on 18 May 1869, the Republic surrendered without a fight and accepted the Meiji Emperor's rule. Enomoto was sentenced to a brief prison sentence, but was freed in 1872 and accepted a post as a government official in the newly renamed Hokkaid? Land Agency.}}
Hakodate is the largest city in southern Hokkaid?. As one of the first cities in Japan to be opened to trade, like Yokohama and Kobe, there are some signs of foreign influence in Hakodate, notably architecture. Hakodate was also the capital of the short-lived Republic of Ezo (see box) in the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration.
Sapporo's busier Chitose Airport, 2-3 hours to the north by train, also offers a fairly convenient alternative.
Currently, the fastest way to reach Hakodate by train from Tokyo is by a combination of Shinkansen and Limited Express trains, transferring between the two at Hachinohe station. The one-way trip lasts about 6 hours and costs almost ¥19,000. If you have a 7-Day Japan Rail Pass, you will save about ¥9,000 off of the total cost if you travel round-trip using this method.
The Shinkansen is inching slowly towards Hakodate. An extension of the Shinkansen from Hachinohe to Aomori will open in December of 2010, which will slightly reduce the the Tokyo-Hakodate travel time to about 5 1/2 hours. Eventually by 2015, the bullet train line will be extended from Aomori under the Seikan Tunnel to the new Shin-Hakodate station, north of the city center; this is expected to hack the Tokyo-Hakodate travel time to about 4 hours.
A popular way to reach Hakodate is by overnight sleeper train. The ''Hokutosei'' (_k_l__) sleeper train departs daily from Ueno Station in Tokyo. The ride to Hakodate takes 11 1/2 hours. The ''Cassiopeia'' (_J_V_I_y_A) sleeper train also runs from Ueno to Hakodate a few times a week, but its cabins are more expensive than the Hokutosei. Both trains eventually continue to Sapporo.
The ''Nihonkai'' (___{_C) overnight train from Osaka and Kyoto in Kansai runs as far as Aomori, from which you can connect to a limited express train for the run to Hakodate (Journey time from Osaka is 17 hours). Note that the more expensive ''Twilight Express'' (_g___C___C_g_G_N_X_v___X) overnight service '''''does not''''' stop in Hakodate.
Hakodate can also be reached using the Seishun 18 Ticket, as the ticket is valid on limited expresses between Kikonai and Kanita across the Seikan Tunnel. See Seishun 18 Ticket for a sample itinerary.
Trains to areas outside of Hakodate leave infrequently (compared to areas like Tokyo where trains come every few minutes) so plan ahead.
Major operator '''Higashi-Nihon Ferry''' [http://www.higashinihon-ferry.com] offers frequent services from Hakodate's port to Aomori. The high-speed '''Natchan-Rera''' (_i_b_`____Rera) hydrofoil, introduced in September 2007, links the two cities in 1 3/4 hours at a cost of ¥5000 each way in economy class, ¥6000 in business class and ¥10000 in executive class. There is also slower ferry service which takes almost four hours, starting from ¥1850 in second class. Departure times from Hakodate to Aomori on the hydrofoil are at 7:30, 12:30, 17:30 and 23:00, with ferry departures at 2:30, 10:00, 16:55 and 21:50.
Less frequent services operate to Oma (1:40, ¥1170) on the remote Shimokita Peninsula. There are two daily round-trips during most of the year, with additional round-trip runs during holiday periods.
The streetcar's one-day pass can also be bought at the tourists information center inside the JR Hakodate station. When purchasing a one-day pass, make sure to check out the attached list of discount shops since it may come handy in your tour. (As of December 2007, a 10% discount was provided for the Hakodate ropeway and the Gory?kaku tower).
There are two routes of steet car, namely, the number 2 route, and the number 5 route. Both routes runs from the same Yunokawa until it branches out in Jujigai.
Route map of street car route #2 is as follows. Note that the first three stations are different from route #5. <br> Yachigashira(_J_n__), Aoyagi-ch?(______), H?rai-ch?(______), J?jigai(_\___X), Uo ichiba-d?ri(___s____), Shiyakusho Mae(_s_____O), Matsukaze-ch?(______), Shinkawa-ch?(_V____), Chitose-ch?(______), Sh?wa-bashi(___a__), Horikawa-ch?(_x____), Chiyodagai(______), Ch??by?in Mae(_____a_@_O), Gory?kaku K?en Mae(_____s_____O), Suginami-ch?(______), Kashiwagi-ch?(______), Fukabori-ch?(_[_x__), Keibajo Mae(___n___O), Komabashako Mae(_________O), Shiminkaikan Mae(_s_______O), Yunokawa Onsen(__________), Yunokawa(______)
Route map of street car route #5 is as follows. Note that the first three stations are different from route #2. <br> Hakodate Dokku Mae(_____h_b_N_O), ?machi(____), Suehiro-ch?(___L__), J?jigai(_\___X), Uo ichiba-d?ri(___s____), Shiyakusho Mae(_s_____O), Matsukaze-ch?(______), Shinkawa-ch?(_V____), Chitose-ch?(______), Sh?wa-bashi(___a__), Horikawa-ch?(_x____), Chiyodagai(______), Ch??by?in Mae(_____a_@_O), Gory?kaku K?en Mae(_____s_____O), Suginami-ch?(______), Kashiwagi-ch?(______), Fukabori-ch?(_[_x__), Keibajo Mae(___n___O), Komabashako Mae(_________O), Shiminkaikan Mae(_s_______O), Yunokawa Onsen(__________), Yunokawa(______)
Additionally, there is the '''_________@_d___E_o_X_________E_j___}_b_v''' (''hakodate densha, basu_@ensenmeisho, shiseki mappu''), '''the map of interesting places to visit in Hakodate by streetcar and bus'''. It is free and has a physical map of all the stops as well as many of the attractions. The '''Hakodate Guide Map''' is also provided free of charge at both the JR Tourist Information Counter and in the Museum of Photographic History's Tourist Information located in front of the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward.