Hakodate Fish Market and Goryokaku Park, Hokkaido, Japan
Hakodate Morning Market offers fresh seafood and local produce, while Goryokaku Park features a star-shaped fort and seasonal cherry blossoms.
Goryokaku Park: 44-2 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001, Japan
Date Picture Taken: September, 2024
Hakodate Morning Market, located near Hakodate Station, is a marketplace renowned for its fresh seafood, local produce, and vibrant atmosphere. With approximately 250 shops and eateries, visitors can explore a wide array of offerings, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, and Hokkaido specialties.
On the way to the marketplace
Inside of one of these market buildings
Markets on the streets
On another day, I visited Goryokaku parkÂ
An observation tower near the park
Inside the observation tower building
On the observation deck of the tower
Goryokaku Park, located in Hakodate, is a historical and scenic park centered around the iconic star-shaped Goryokaku Fort.
Goryokaku was constructed in the mid-19th century as Japan’s first Western-style fort to defend against foreign influences during the late Edo period.
It became a battlefield during the Boshin War, a civil war in Japan that marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Inside Goryokaku Tower’s observation deck, visitors can explore the Goryokaku Historical Corridor, which features 16 dioramas depicting significant events from the fort’s history. These detailed models, accompanied by informative panels, provide insights into Goryokaku’s past, including its role during the late Edo period and the Boshin War.
An American fleet arrives at Hakodate
Reclamation of the northern land – Hakodate Magistrate’s Office
Base of governance over Ezo-construction of Goryokaku
I descended from the tower and explored the interior of the fort.
The main building inside Goryokaku Fort is a historically reconstructed structure known as the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office (Hakodate Bugyosho). It served as the administrative center and government office during the Edo period when Goryokaku functioned as a defensive and administrative hub.
The building reflects traditional Japanese architecture of the late Edo period, with wooden construction, tatami-matted rooms, and a tiled roof.
The Magistrate’s Office was originally built in 1864 and played a key role in managing Ezo (present-day Hokkaido) during the late Tokugawa shogunate.
It was used to administer local affairs, negotiate with foreign powers, and oversee defense and trade in the region.
Inside the Magistrate’s Office
The original building was dismantled in 1871 after the Meiji Restoration, but it was meticulously reconstructed in 2010 using traditional techniques and historical blueprints.
