Hakodate

Hakodate, the chief port of Yezo in Japan, situated on a peninsula in the Strait of Tsugaru. The town is built partly on the inner slope of the Gibraltar-like hill (1200 feet) which dominates the strait, partly on the low sandy peninsula connecting the hill with the main island. The climate is severe. Hakodate, which has a magnificent harbour, is (since 1859) one of the open ports of Japan, and carries on a brisk export trade in seaweed, sulphur, bêche de mer, salted salmon, matches, &c. The annual value of exports is towards £200,000; that of imports is trifling. Pop. (1893) 63,916.