Name: Hakodate Goryokaku Festival
Start: 2026-05-16
End: 2026-05-17
Location: Goryokaku Park and surrounding areas

The Hakodate Goryokaku Festival traces the memory of the final years of the shogunate through a memorial service at historic monuments, processions, history presentations, and stage performances, with Goryokaku Park as its setting. It is an event where you can encounter Hakodate’s history at the site of the final battle of the Boshin War.

About Hakodate Goryokaku Festival

The Hakodate Goryokaku Festival is an event held at Goryokaku Park and its surroundings in Hakodate City, sharing the history of the Boshin War and the Hakodate War.

Goryokaku was the setting for the final battle of the Boshin War, where the former shogunate forces, including Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo, fought fierce battles against the new government forces.

Events introducing the history and reenactments bring the events of the final years of the shogunate closer to visitors in present-day Hakodate.

Source: 五稜郭公園・箱館五稜郭祭｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE! / 箱館五稜郭祭公式サイト - Hakodate Goryokaku-Sai

Festival highlights

Highlights include the memorial service at historic monuments, with offerings of flowers at sites connected to the final years of the shogunate, as well as history presentations and a castle surrender ceremony in Goryokaku Park.

Events combining history and stage performance continue with a Restoration-era procession, live sword-drawing demonstrations, a two-person play, and performances by marching and concert bands.

The Hijikata Toshizo Contest, a gathering of costume players, and displays of the Kaiyo Maru and Powhatan are also unique sights at the festival.

Source: 箱館五稜郭祭公式サイト - Hakodate Goryokaku-Sai / 箱館五稜郭祭 | 年度活動計畫 | Travel Hakodate

A Hakodate festival tracing a historical panorama of the final years of the shogunate, with Goryokaku as its setting

What to expect

On the first day, the festival holds a memorial service visiting historic monuments connected to the area at various locations around the city, as well as an opening event and the Hijikata Toshizo Contest on the special stage in Goryokaku Park.

On the second day, history presentations, a peaceful entry procession, a castle surrender ceremony, plays, sword-drawing demonstrations, and musical performances continue; a throwing of red-and-white rice cakes is also scheduled for the closing.

On both days, visitors can enjoy participants in costume, photo displays, and food trucks.

How to take part

The festival is mainly enjoyed as a spectator.

In 2026, entries were invited for the Hijikata Toshizo Contest and the Chibikko Hijikata Collection for children in elementary school and younger.

The contests have age and application requirements, and children’s activities require a parent or guardian to accompany them.

Applications for the 2026 Toshizo Hijikata Contest were accepted through a dedicated application form. The entry fee was ¥3,000, and the deadline was April 28.

Applications for the Kids’ Hijikata Collection were also accepted through a dedicated form. Participation was free, and the deadline was May 8.

Participants are asked to provide their own costumes for both events.

Source: 箱館五稜郭祭公式サイト - Hakodate Goryokaku-Sai

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

Goryokaku Park and surrounding areas.

44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido.

Train and bus

It is about a 15-minute walk from Goryokaku Koen-mae tram stop.

By car

About 15 minutes from JR Hakodate Station.

Parking

Paid parking is available around Goryokaku Park.

Information lists 100 spaces.

Address 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the published dates have passed)

In 2026, it was held over 2 days on May 16 (Saturday) and the 17th (Sunday).

The schedule featured a memorial service at historic monuments and stage events on the first day, followed by a peaceful entry procession, a castle surrender ceremony, and performances on the second day.

Stage events may be canceled in the event of rain, and the program may change.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Hakodate City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

The memorial service visits monuments around the city, while stage events take place inside Goryokaku Park. To make sure you can see the events you’re interested in, allow time to travel between venues.

北海道函館市の博物館

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Photo and data sources

写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)

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Origins and History of Hakodate Goryokaku Festival

The Hakodate Goryokaku Festival commemorates those who died in the Boshin War and the Hakodate War and shares the history of Goryokaku.

Goryokaku was the setting for the final battle of the Boshin War, where the former shogunate forces and the new government forces fought fierce battles.

Today, the era is passed on to the next generation through memorial services at historic monuments, processions, and historical reenactments.

Official information

Check the Hakodate Goryokaku Festival official website for official information.

Information is provided on event dates, stage programs, and participant recruitment.

The festival committee office is listed as a contact, with the phone number 0138-51-4785.