Hakodate, Japan

Our last stop in Japan other than to fly out on Tuesday. You probably remember Hakodate from a couple of weeks ago because we stopped here on our way into Japan. We hiked a national park that time, but this time we had more of a city experience. This is the type of city you’d find it easy to live in. About 250,000 people, beautiful seaside location, lots to do, but the weather isn’t great. It gets quite cold and gets lots of snow as it is affected by the Siberian High. It even sounds bad, doesn’t it?

We took a cable car up the mountain today since it was such a clear day and spent some time wandering around.

First of all, we were walking down a street when a most delectable smell got our attention. Believe me, you smell enough crab, cuttlefish and squid around here, that when you smell something good, you seek it out. These were custard-filled pastries in a tiny bakery. Four thumbs up for the Best. Pastry. Ever. Eaten. Hands down. We each got one, then went back for another.

Secondly, something we still puzzle over. The fruit. Yubari melons are grown in this region and are highly prized. They look like a cantaloupe.
In a regular old market, they cost $23.00 for 2.
They have sold at auction for $30,000 for 2.
They must be some melons! We hear they keep the seeds in a bank vault. This is all true!
8 grapes cost $7:00. The apples (Fuji, of course)
are $2.50 each and they are enormous!!
Anyway, you get that the fruit is pricey and there is not much of it.

A sea day tomorrow means packing and having our last ship meals and drinks.

We will reflect on our impressions of Japan in tomorrow’s post.Lue lisää