Goryokaku
In 1854, the Edo Shogunate concluded the Treaty of Friendship between Japan and the U.S. after Perry's arrival in Japan. This ended Japan's 200-year isolation and opened the country to the outside world.
In order to cope with foreign warships with well-equipped cannons entering Hakodate, Goryokaku was completed, referring to European castle-building techniques of the time.
It consisted of a star shape surrounded by a water moat and one half-moon fort, and buildings such as the magistrate's office were constructed inside.
Stage of the Hakodate War
After the fall of the Edo shogunate, Hakodate was taken over by the Hakodate-fu, and became the scene of the Hakodate War, the last battle in the Boshin War (the largest civil war in Japan fought between the new government forces and the old shogunate forces), in which the old shogunate forces captured Goryokaku.
Warships of the new government forces opened fire on Goryokaku from within Hakodate harbor, hitting the Hakodate Magistrate's Office.
The old shogunate forces surrendered, Goryokaku was handed over to the new government forces, and the Hakodate Magistrate's Office was dismantled in 1871.