Cape Tachimachi in Hakodate

Cape Tachimachi is located at the east side of Mt. Hakodate.

You can walk to Cape Tachimachi from Yachigashira Streetcar Station in Hakodate. If you walk to the south from Yachigashira Station, you will go into a cemetery. The sun was already setting behind Mt. Hakodate and it was getting dark in the cemetery.

There were twenty-three "Kannon Bosatu" statues in the cemetery.

These Buddha statues were donated by SUGIURA Kihichi (? - 1876) , who were shipping agents and developed the Horoizumi Area in Tokachi, Hokkaido in the Edo Age (1603 - 1868) . He wished the safe of journey of his ships and prayed for a thriving business to these Buddha statues.

A gentle ascent extends to the Cape Tachimachi from Yachigasira Station. You will see Mt. Hakodate beyond the cemetery and Omori Beach along the Tsugaru Channel, when looking back.

Near the Buddha Statues, you will find the grave of ISHIKAWA Takuboku family. ISHIKAWA Takuboku (1886 - 1912) , who was a poet in the Meiji Age (1868 - 1912) .

At the Meiji Age, Japan was a poor country, as well as ISHIKAWA Takuboku was poor. His poems were based on his anguished life and are focusing on his hard life. He was originally from Iwate Prefecture, but once lived in Hakodate. He died in Tokyo when he was only twenty-seven years old in 1912. His friends built his grave here in Hakodate.

On white sands of a rocky shore in a small island
I'm drained in tears
Playing with a crab

The above his poem was inscribed on his gravestone.

I was really not sure if I walked on the right road to Cape Tachimachi until I arrived at Cape Tachimachi, because I walked through the lonesome cemetery. But, after a fifteen-minute walk from Yachigashira Streetcar Station, you will arrive at Cape Tachimachi.
You can see the Tsugaru Channel from the Cape Tachimachi.

If you go down stairs, you will see dynamic scenery of Cape Tachimachi.

You will see Cape Ohma of the main island of Japan, far away across the Tsugaru Channel.

When I visited, rays of sun light were seen from clouds to the sea. The sea was calm, but you can hear the sounds of sea waves, while seeing this scenery.

How to get there
To go to Hakodate, Take a Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen,"Hayabusa" from Tokyo Station to Hakodate-Hokuto. And change to a local train to Hakodate. It takes approximately four and a half hours. Eleven trains run from Tokyo to Hakodate-Hokuto a day. Also, you can fly to Hakodate from Haneda Airport. Eight flights are available every day.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Motomachi Historical District
Mt. Hakodate
Place of HIJIKATA's Death
Ruins of Goryokaku Castle