A visit to the Hakodate City Museum is an insight into the archaeological, ethnographic and natural history of Hakodate. Learn about the people of the city, their customs and their habits. See everything from animal and botanical specimens to clothing and pottery. Inaugurated in 1879, the Hakodate City Museum is among the oldest museums in Japan.
Exhibits draw from a large collection of artifacts and are displayed on a rotating basis. Admire the hanging scrolls of samurai artist Kakizaki Hakyo and peruse oil paintings by local artists. Find displays of prehistoric items such as ceramics, earthenware and stone tools and instruments. Among the most valuable are artifacts from the Toi Shell Mound, which showcase the culture of the Jomon hunter-gatherer people.
The Sugawara Collection is a valuable array of native plants found on the Japanese island of Hokkaido and Russian-governed Sakhalin. Botanical taxonomist Shigezo Sugawara amassed the collection while working on the islands in the mid-1900s. Study displays of the birds, insects, seaweed and shellfish common to Hakodate and the waters of Hokkaido.
Other items of interest include relics from the 1868 Battle of Hakodate. The battle marked the end of the Boshin War, which saw the Imperial government take control from the Tokugawa shogunate. Browse examples of military uniforms and guns. See the large collection of ancient coins from the Shinori Region.
The museum stands in Hakodate Park, which is filled with trees that bear cherry blossoms in spring. Get here by taking a tram to Anyagi-cho stop and then continue on foot for a few minutes. From downtown Hakodate, walk about 25 minutes to the museum. Enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the park, its lush gardens and views of Mount Hakodate. Walk just a short distance to the Children’s World amusement park and zoo.
Hakodate City Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and it has an admission fee. Visit the musuem’s official website for information about current exhibits and free admission days.
