Banks The banks close to the JR station only change US travellers' cheques. For other currencies, go to the central post office . Mon-Fri only.

Bookshops A small selection of English-language paperbacks are available on the seventh floor of the Boni Moriya department store, opposite Hakodate Station.

Car rental Eki Rent-a-car (tel 0138/22-7864) is next to Hakodate Station.

Hospitals Hakodate City Hospital, 2-33 Yayoi-cho (tel 0138/23-8651).

Internet access Digitarians Cafe (tel 0138/55-0058). It costs ?500 for either a draught beer or unlimited coffee and 2hr Internet access. Take the Yunokawa-bound tram, get off at Goryokaku koen-mae and head for the basement near Marui department store. Daily noon-1am.

Laundry 24hr JUN coin laundry, a block past the fire station, close by the city hall.

Police The main police station is on the western side of Goryokaku-koen.

Post office The central post office, 1-6 Shinkawa-cho, is a 10min walk east of Hakodate Station, near the Shinkawa-cho tram stop. Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-12.30pm.

Taxis The main taxi rank sits outside Hakodate Station.

Travel agents The main JTB office at 16-24 Yanagawa-cho (tel 0138/56-1717) is a 5min walk west of the Goryokaku-koen-mae tram stop.