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The restored historical building which recreates a magistrates office at the end of shogunate era.
Hakodate Magistrate’s Office faithfully recreates the Edo Shognate’s security base around Japan’s northern territory. It is built at the original location in the former Goryokaku (the star-shaped fort), using as much similar skills and provisions as those in the Edo Period, such as pine beams, Bingo tatami mats or sliding doors with hand-made paper.
The area right next to the entrance is called the Reproduction Zone, filled with the authentic replica of Hakodate Magistrate’s Office at the end of shogunate era, based on the historical documents. The most revered grand hall with 72 tatami mats and the magistrate’s office in the front of the building reflect the traditional Japanese architecture.
After the Reproduction Zone, you will come to the Discover History Zone, Image Theater and Reproduction Zone. In the Discover History Zone, there are graphic panels about the history of the Goryokaku Fort and the Magistrate’s Office and the Battle of Hakodate which was the last part of the Boshin War. In the Image Theater, the restoration video shows the skills of shrine carpenters on Japanese architecture. In the Reproduction Zone, you can learn the history of restoration and the hard labor that was required through the ancient photos, documents and excavation results.
The exterior of Hakodate Magistrate’s Office restored to faithfully reflect the design back in the era.
The grand hall with 72 tatami mats, a masterpiece of Japanese architectural skills by shrine carpenters
The Discover History Zone with the panels that share the history of Goryokaku Fort and Hakodate Magistrate’s Office
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have foreign language support? (If it is available, what language is available?)
English support available
Q
Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
Re-entry is not allowed.
Q
Is free WiFi available in the facility?
Free Wi-Fi is available, but reception is weak.
Q
Is eating and drinking allowed? Also, is it possible to bring in food and beverages?
Eating or drinking is not allowed.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Not available.
Q
Are there any discounted tickets available?
No.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
In the spacious front courtyard of the Magistrate’s Office, the impressive black-tiled Japanese roof and dark wooden exterior immediately catch the eye, creating a calm and dignified atmosphere against the blue sky and white clouds.
The building’s meticulous traditional craftsmanship and broad roofline are remarkable, making you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to a key political site at the end of the Edo period.
Inside, you can appreciate the spacious tatami rooms and the fine details of the historical exhibits, while the displays provide deeper insight into the important history surrounding the opening of the Port of Hakodate.
I highly recommend including Hakodate Magistrate’s Office in your walk around Goryokaku. Whether you’re admiring the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional Japanese wooden architecture or taking in the history of the late Edo period, it adds rich cultural depth to the visit!
The interior is very well preserved. Walking through the tatami rooms and wooden spaces, you can almost feel the historical atmosphere of the final years of the shogunate. The museum displays many historical materials from that period and also features some interactive games, making it easier for visitors to learn about the history and daily life of the time.
The Hakodate Magistrate’s Office was built in 1864 as an important administrative institution established by the Edo shogunate to strengthen its rule and defense of Ezo, and it served as a major northern base. Following the Boshin War and the end of the shogunate, the office closed in 1869. The current building was reconstructed based on surviving plans, documents, and photographs, allowing us to experience the history of the final years of the shogunate more closely through an actual visit.
When I saw the Hakodate Magistrate's Office in Hakodate, I felt a strong sense of history. The traditional building made me feel as if I had traveled back to old Japan, and I could also imagine how people lived and worked at the time. This visit gave me a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture, and I thought it was an experience well worth having.
The Hakodate Magistrate’s Office is located in Goryokaku Park. It was an important administrative institution of the Edo shogunate in Hokkaido and is also a representative attraction for learning about Hakodate’s history. The traditional wooden architecture combined with the scenery of Goryokaku makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a time tunnel through Japanese history.
This time, I went inside the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office and saw the tatami mats, wooden corridors, and traditional rooms. It really had the distinctive features of ancient Japanese architecture. Through the exhibits and explanations, I also learned more about the history of the shogunate in Hokkaido at the time, as well as stories related to the Battle of Hakodate.
This is also a must-visit spot for Conan fans. That roof is the one Kaito Kid stood on. You can buy a ticket to tour Hakodate Magistrate’s Office. There’s a shop across the way where you can buy a castle visit certificate, as well as Hijikata Toshizo merchandise and goshuin-style castle stamp books.
