Hakodate Magistrate's Office

The Hakodate Magistrate's Office was a government office of the Tokugawa Shogunate that was established at the end of the Edo period with the opening of the port of Hakodate. The building was dismantled after the Battle of Hakodate (1868-69), but in 2010, it was restored to its original location on the Goryokaku Special Historic Site, using as much of the original construction methods as possible over a period of about four years. As you step into the building, you will see a magnificent tatami mat room, followed by an exhibition space where you can learn about the history of Hakodate and the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, allowing you to feel the breath of the Edo period even in this modern age. At the nearby resting place, Itakura Yanagino, you can enjoy a cup of Hakodate Magistrate's Office coffee, which recreates the taste of the time. The souvenir corner with original sweets, straps and other goods is also a must-see.