Hakodate and Hokkaido have had very long winters this year. But, spring is coming and peoples’ thoughts are turning to travel. The picture below shows how one of Japan’s major shopping sites is promoting its current sale. There’s not much English (common in Japan…) but the four photos show the iconic spring travel thoughts of the Japanese: hot baths, cherry blossoms, and overseas (Hawaii for beaches, New York for cities). The cherry blossoms are illustrated by Hakodate’s star-shaped fort (“Goryokaku”), where the late spring means that the blossoming coincides with the “Golden Week” holiday celebrations. We hope many people from all around the world will come to Hakodate, and not just in spring…