Motomachi, Hakodate

Following the Treaty of Amity between Japan and the United States in 1854, after the arrival of Commodore Perry, many foreign residents began settling in the Motomachi area of Hakodate.
Later, as Hakodate opened as an international trading port, a magistrate’s office was established, and the city developed into an important administrative center. In Motomachi, consulates from countries such as Russia, Britain, France, and the United States once stood alongside Western-style buildings and churches, creating a townscape that reflects a rich blend of Japanese and Western influences.
Situated at the foot of Mount Hakodate, the Motomachi district is also known as the “City of Slopes,” with cobblestone streets lined by buildings that follow the natural incline of the land.
This distinctive layout was shaped by urban planning measures implemented after a series of fires, when roads were straightened from the mountain toward the harbor. As a result, visitors can enjoy striking views that extend straight down the slopes to Hakodate Port.
Among the many slopes, Hachiman-zaka is especially well known. Lined with trees on both sides, this cobblestone street leads the eye toward the waterfront, where the retired Seikan ferry Mashu Maru can be seen. Together with the night scenery, it is considered one of Hakodate’s most iconic views.