Goryokaku Park

Goryokaku was planned by the Tokugawa shogunate in the late Edo period as part of its efforts to defend Japan’s northern frontier, and was completed in 1866.
The outward-pointing corners of the fortress are called “bastions.” Because five bastions were incorporated into the design, creating a star-shaped layout, the fortress came to be known as “Goryokaku,” meaning “Five-Bastion Fortress.”
Its design reflects the architectural characteristics of early modern European fortresses, making it a unique military structure that symbolizes Hakodate’s role as a city influenced by foreign cultures following the opening of Japan to the world.
During the six-month-long Battle of Hakodate, Goryokaku served as a stronghold for the former shogunate forces. It is especially known as the site where military units led by Takeaki Enomoto and Toshizo Hijikata fought in the final stages of the Boshin War.
After the war, the fortress was dismantled in 1871, and the grounds were converted into a military training field during the Meiji era. Later, in 1914, the site was opened to the public as a park, and since then it has become a beloved place of relaxation for both local residents and visitors.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Goryokaku’s construction, the 60-meter-high Goryokaku Tower was completed in 1964. In 2006, it was replaced by a new tower standing 107 meters tall.
Today, approximately 1,600 cherry trees bloom throughout the park, making Goryokaku one of Hakodate’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.