Hakodate (函館) was the first Japanese city to be opened to foreign trade in 1854 after Commodore Perry of the U.S. Navy concluded the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Tokugawa Shogunate.

As a result, the city hosted a number of foreign consulates and an international community whose influence can be clearly seen today in the architecture of the Motomachi district on the hillside of Mount Hakodate.

This was the site for this morning’s art exercise in the grounds of a Buddhist temple with views over the steeples of Motomachi’s three main churches — Russian Orthodox, Anglican (Nippon Seikōkai) and Roman Catholic.

                                             The Russian Orthodox Church 

However, since the morning was freezing cold again (8 deg), Ev began with a demo in the hotel lobby before the troops ventured outside to paint.

                       Painting in Motomachi (the Anglican Church in background)

Meanwhile, some of the non-painters (including me) ventured further afield, taking the ropeway to the top of Mount Hakodate for a view of the city and its busy fishing port.  The harbour is also a popular destination for cruise ships, including our favourite Silversea.

After lunch, the group spent several hours painting in the old red brick warehouse district (金森赤レンガ倉庫) before a show and tell session in the hotel lobby.  And then bath time in the onsen before dinner — our last night in chilly Hakodate before we head north to Lake Tōya tomorrow morning.

                                        Awaiting Ev’s instructions.

                                           Velda attracts a crowd.

                                               Show and tell time.