Located in the southernmost point of Hakodate, Cape Tachimachi is an excellent place to look over the bay to Honshu, Japan’s main (and largest) island.
The name “Cape Tachimachi” has an interesting origin. The original name in Ainu means “the place where you stand and wait to hunt fish”. The Japanese have shorted meaning this to tachi (立、to stand) and machi (待、to wait), meaning to stand around and wait. This is exactly what you do as you view the sights!
From Cape Tachimachi on a clear day, you have clear views of the surrounding areas, both along the coast of Hokkaido to the east and west, as well as Japan’s main island, Honshu. Both Aomori’s (the northernmost prefecture on Honshu) peninsulas are visible, although Aomori city, which sits between them, is not.
Did you notice the squid figures in the pictures with the protective fence? They are the mascot of Hakodate, known across Japan for being the place to eat squid and squid-based products. This also includes squid ink ice cream, which has a vanilla base and is grey or black. The flavour, though, is still vanilla, as squid ink does not have a strong flavour.
Getting to Cape Tachimachi
Cape Tachimachi is easily reachable by public transport. Take tram #2 from Hakodate station and alight at the last station: Yachigashira. From here, walk about metres until the end of the land.
During this walk, you will pass through a traditional Japanese graveyard, which will give you amazing views of the surrounding area.
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