All Reviews of Hakodate Bugyosho

Walking into Goryokaku Park, the first thing that catches your eye is the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, which recreates the elegance of the Edo period. The traditional wooden building and old-fashioned rooftop tower look especially charming against the surrounding greenery and clear sky. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the faint scent of cypress. The solid feeling of walking on the tatami made me feel as if I had suddenly traveled back to the final years of the shogunate!

This building was faithfully reconstructed using traditional methods, and the grand hall and exhibition rooms preserve extremely intricate woodwork. Taking off my shoes and walking through the spacious, cool corridors while appreciating the historical stories and craftsmanship of the time made me feel especially peaceful. If you visit Goryokaku in Hakodate, don’t just take photos around the outside of the park or view it from the tower. Be sure to step inside the Magistrate’s Office and experience its calm, elegant Edo-period nostalgia. It will definitely make your Hokkaido history trip feel even more meaningful!

It's a very magnificent Japanese building. It is said to have been restored to its original appearance using traditional Japanese architectural techniques, including the materials and construction methods. You take off your shoes at the entrance before going in. The large tatami hall is wonderful.

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.

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.

The wooden structure and exquisite wood carvings really showcase traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Every detail faithfully recreates the splendor of the past.

Once you enter Goryokaku Park, it's right inside. If you want to go in, you need to buy a separate ticket, but I just wandered around outside, took some photos, and left.