Welcomed by guide and driver, settle in for a leisurely drive north across the island to Esashi, one of the oldest districts in the Hokkaido Prefecture. The special location of Japan surrounded by the sea leading to Japanese culture heavily influenced by the ocean. Relax on the 80-minute drive while enjoying folk song performance about fishermen returns after a hard working day with a bounty of fresh fish.
cArrived in Esashi, take a visit to the Heishi Rock, a bulbous-shaped huge rock rising out of sea surface. Not only well-known for its unique formation, but the rock is also famous for the hundreds-year-old legend telling that in the past, the villager’s life depends on the number of herrings they caught. One day, they face a tough life that all the herring suddenly vanished. A fortune teller throws a bottle of magic potion into the sea here and the herring return back. Then, the bottle becomes Heishi Rock. If you luckily coming in July, you can enjoy the Kamome Island Festival taken place right in this rock.
After that, transfer to the downtown Esashi to visit the Former Residence of a Merchant. It used to serve as the place where merchants live and do daily activities. Nowadays, it has been transformed into a museum full of fishing artifacts. Get a glimpse of the Esashi merchant’s life in the past.
Continue this Hakodate shore excursions by strolling Esashi’s most historical street to admire dozens of well-preserved ancient buildings with traditional Japanese architecture. The trip ends with a drive back to Hakodate port.
