Hakodate Port Town has developed alongside its grand port, nurturing a unique landscape created by the temperature differences between day and night and its rich nature.
With streets full of exotic atmosphere and historical buildings scattered throughout, it is a place where you can still feel its charm. Please enjoy the ambiance of this port town where history and culture thrive.
Japanese-Western hybrid townscape overlooking the port
Hakodate, a port town overlooking a beautiful harbor, features a historical streetscape where foreign cultures and Japanese traditions blend. The buildings from the Meiji era and the brick roads evoke the unique atmosphere characteristic of a port town. The breathtaking views from Mount Hakodate and the red brick warehouses are remnants of a town that developed around the harbor, showcasing a unique culture influenced by foreign elements. Please enjoy the charm of Hakodate, where history and nature are in harmony.
Goryokaku, a symbol of Hakodate's history
Goryokaku is a Western-style star-shaped fortress built by the Edo Shogunate in Hakodate for northern defense and governance. The Hakodate Magistrate's Office was established, and Hakodate developed as a center of politics and military affairs. After the Meiji Restoration, it became a base for the former shogunate army and the stage for the Hakodate War, marking it as one of the sites of tumultuous history. Today, it is maintained as Goryokaku Park, an important Historic Site that conveys the formation and history of Hakodate, while also being a beloved place for citizens to enjoy the changing seasons of nature.
Hakodate's cultural heritage that retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era
"Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall"
The Old Hakodate Ward Public Hall is a Western-style building constructed during the Meiji era and is one of the historical landmarks of Hakodate City. Completed in 1910, it served as a place for community interaction among the citizens of Hakodate. The exterior features a beautiful design incorporating English Gothic style, and the interior retains much of the atmosphere from that time. It is currently open to the public as a tourist facility where visitors can experience Hakodate's history and culture. From the public hall, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakodate Port and the surrounding beautiful scenery.
Japan's first international trade port "Hakodate Port"
Hakodate Port was opened as Japan's first international trade port due to the Treaty of Kanagawa signed in 1854. As a result, Hakodate became a hub for trade with foreign countries and a symbolic location for Japan's modernization. The area around the port still retains buildings and streets that evoke the exotic atmosphere of that time, making it a popular tourist destination. Today, it functions as an important center for fishing and trade, and is also bustling with tourist cruises and events. Additionally, the beautiful view of the port, along with the night scenery from Mount Hakodate, is one of its attractions.