Commemorative photo spot: The Beginning of the Future - The Deep

A statue of Joseph Hardy Neesima (Niijima Jo)-the founder of Doshisha University-located in the small park close to Hakodate Nishi-hatoba (west-wharf) in the bay area. Joseph Hardy Neesima is said to have managed to sail to America by stowing away on a ship from Hakodate in 1864. The bronze statue depicts him at that time. Joseph obtained the help of shipbuilder Naritoyo Fukushi and from the wharf in Tsukishima of Omachi Town, he paddled out in a small boat into the ocean, stowing away on the American merchant vessel Berlin, which was staying in the bay, thereby successfully leaving the country. The sculptor of the statue was Toshiro Mineta. It was erected in 2002. It also gained fame in a drama of long-running TV series.