HAKODADI, OR, AS it is more properly pronounced and spelt, Hakodate, is the most Northern of the treaty ports in Japan, and is situated in the South of Yesso on the straits of Sangar, which separate that island from the larger and more important one of Niphon. It lies in lat. 41° 47’ 8” N. and long, 140° 45’ 34” E. and is pleasantly placed on the shores of the Harbour of the same name, which, bounded on the North and West by the main land, and on the East and South East by the isthmus and promontory of Hakodadi head, is an almost land-locked bay, and but for its exposure to the winds that blow from the Pacific across the isthmus, might rank with the best in the Empire. Hitherto it has been chiefly used as a resort by whalers and other vessels trading in the Northern seas. It is somewhat out of the way on account of there being no regular communication as yet established, the arrival of a mail by some chance ship being quite an event to the community. The anchorage is good, having a fair holding ground of black mud with 5 or 6 fathoms of water. The whole of the surrounding country is very hilly and highly volcanic, but the range of mountains lying to the North of the bay slope down to a well-cultivated plain intersected by numerous small rivers, which, with the isthmus, forms the boundary of the waters of the bay to the North and East. Beyond this range lies an undulating country, the valleys of which are occupied by several beautiful lakes surrounded by wooded hills and most picturesque scenery; from the shores of the largest called lake ‘Cnoma’ rises the still semi-active Volcano of Coming-na-takè to the height of about 3,500 feet. The isthmus is low and sandy, but has on its sea coast a few low sandhills, beside which some wretched fishing villages are scattered, while the promontory of Hakodadi head rises abruptly from the sea to the height of 1136 feet, in its highest part. The lowest point is about 840 feet in height and is intersected by a small river which runs into the harbour. Hence it is not unlike Gibraltar in general character and position, but is far less imposing.