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We sailed out of Tokyo Bay to the music of a High School drum band and arrived at Hakodate on a fine but cool sunny morning. Our tour today is to take in the Hakodate Magistrates Office which was the regional centre of power in the Shogunates. This was contained in a European styled star shaped fort, Gorakaku. Hakodate was one of the open ports forced by Cdr Mathew Perry on the Shogunate of the time. This was instrumental in creating sufficient unrest that lead to ending the military dictatorship and the restoration of Imperial Rule known as the Meiji Restoration. This also culminated in a minor civil war at Hokodate, which lasted one year and was put down by the new government. The fort area is known for its cherry blossum and we were not disappointed.
After visiting the local museum which portrayed the life and history of the local indigines known as the Ainu people. Their art and lifstyle bore remarkable similarities to all other indigines including the Australian aborigines.
Then we visited the Hakodate Ropeway which perovided great views of the port town. We had a pleasant day, being transported around a hilly town.
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