Kaleidoscope - Enjoy the beauty and history of Goryokaku Park

This leisure cum historical park takes its name from the landmark remains of the ‘star-shaped’ Goryokaku literally meaning ‘pentagram fort’. It was the last bastion of dissident loyalists of the terminal Tokugawa Shogunate. They were eventually crushed by the imperial Meiji army with much destruction to the fort in 1869.

The partially restored fort site and surroundings were converted into a public park in 1913. In May each year, people flock to its grounds to bask in wonderful spring splendour. More than a thousand mature sakura or cherry trees glorify the park with their overhead blooms together with brightly coloured pansies and immaculately shaped yew trees. Cheerful sounds of water flowing in the moat add joy to being in the park.

Signboard at the entrance into the remains of Goryakaku or ‘pentagonal fort’.
It was the first western-style fort built in Japan and is today a designated
national special historic site.

A beautiful body of running waters surround the fort. Well-manicured globe-shaped
yew trees decorate the edges of V-shaped projections of the ‘star’.

Unlike many other historical sites, the moat waters are blue in colour and relatively clean.
Most of the sakura trees cover the recreational side of the park.

The observation tower built in recent times is also pentagonal in character.
It is 50m tall and shows-off interesting sights of the city and the star-shaped fort in particular.

The story of this short-lived but very famous fort in Japanese history. Completed in 1864,
it was destroyed 5 years later in the fierce Battle of Hakodate ending shogun military might and
the restoration of imperial power under Emperor Meiji.

Around 1,600 sakura trees grace undulating grounds surrounding and within the fort site. These trees laden with pink flower buds are ready to burst into blooms anytime in the last few days of April. Lawns provide spots for ‘hanami’ or ‘flower-viewing’ - an annual event of admiring nature and socialising with friends and relatives.

Path through the forest of sakura trees.

Brilliant blue waters, multi-coloured pansies and neatly shaped yew trees
near the entrance of the fort site.

Mountains, especially when snow-covered provide a perfect backdrop to the park.