Hakodate, a historic port city, is the southern gateway to Hokkaido. With its exotic streetscapes, fresh food, and hot springs, it has been chosen as the location for the Asia-Pacific Laser Symposium (APLS). The APLS is a bi-annual event held in Japan, Korea, and China, where scientists, engineers, and students gather for academic discussions and information exchanges on laser science and technology. This year, the APLS in Hakodate is sponsored by the Laser Society of Japan, the Optical Society of Korea, and the Chinese Optical Society.