Goryokaku strength is a very special historical place situated in the city of Hakodate on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. It was the first and largest Western-style fortress Japan. En1866 was built as an office of government and administration in Hakodate and to manage trade and international relations at the port of Hakodate was opened to foreign trade in 1859.
There are 5 V-shaped projections, from a central core that was called pentagonal fortress Goryokaku which means as you can see in the picture. The walls have a width of 5 meters surrounded by an area of 251.400 meters square. The projections, which have a checkpoint each, were designed so that an assault from any direction would be repelled by firearms without problems.
During the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the reformers ended the shogunate law, a group of 3.000 personla loyal to the old regime, hid and resisted the new Meiji government for 6 months. Alli resisted an armada of more than 8000 men to quee eventually surrendered.
After the war in 1872 the fortress was almost completely leveled the government offices were also demolished, retaining only the facades and shop. The embankments, foundation stones, and moat are in. a good state of preservation.
In 1913 the park Goryokaku back and now is famous for its flowering cherry trees. At the entrance of the park is an observation tower 50 meters high. From there you can enjoy beautiful views and get an idea of what was the fort.
Tags: Hakodate, Hokkaido, Travel to Hokkaido