Who knew the islands are nearly 4hrs apart by ferry. The Tsugaru strait between them connects the Sea of Japan with the Pacific Ocean.
Thomas Blakiston, an English explorer and naturalist, noticed that animals in Hokkaido were related to northern Asian species, whereas those on Honshu to the south were related to those from southern Asia. The Tsugaru Strait was therefore established as a major zoogeographical boundary, and became known as Blakiston’s Line. Just as well his name wasn’t Washing.
The good news is it was a smooth transit between Aomori and Hakodate. The latter took off from 1859 after the treaty with the USA opened up trade. So Western style houses, fine red brick warehouses (now tourist shops). All ripe for exploring more tomorrow.
After 11:30am.
Travelling reflections 