Goryōkaku, located in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan, is a star-shaped fortress built by the Edo Shogunate in the late Edo period. Its design was inspired by Western star forts and aimed to strengthen the defense of Ezochi (present-day Hokkaido). In addition to Hakodate, there is also a fortress called "Goryōkaku" in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, but the name Goryōkaku typically refers to the historic fortress in Hakodate.
During its early construction, Goryōkaku was temporarily referred to as the "Kameda Government Office Earthworks" or "Kameda Administration Earthworks." The area where the fortress was built was originally a wetland, densely populated with slender willow trees, and was also known as "Yanagino Castle." Following the opening of Hakodate Port, the Hakodate Magistrate's Office, originally located at the foot of Mount Hakodate, was relocated here, making Goryōkaku the political center of Ezochi at the time.
However, the fate of Goryōkaku changed rapidly with the times. Just two years after its completion, the fortress was taken over by the Hakodate Prefecture following the fall of the Shogunate. Shortly thereafter, it became a stronghold for the remnants of the former Shogunate forces and a major battleground during the Battle of Hakodate. Entering the Meiji era, all structures except one were dismantled, and the site was repurposed as a training ground for the Imperial Japanese Army.
In 1914, Goryōkaku was transformed into Goryōkaku Park and officially opened to the public, becoming an important recreation and strolling spot for Hakodate citizens, as well as a major tourist attraction. Today, Goryōkaku is not only Hakodate’s most iconic historical site but has also been designated a "Special Historic Site" by the Japanese government and selected as part of the Hokkaido Heritage under "The Remains of Goryōkaku and the Battle of Hakodate."
Currently, Goryōkaku is managed as national property by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and operated and maintained by the city of Hakodate and its designated management bodies, ensuring that this important historical landmark, which has witnessed the changes of the times, is preserved and its historical value continues to be passed down.
