Origin of Hakodate Park and its Historical Feature

Abstract

Hakodate Park in Hokkaido was established as a modest park in 1874. Then, in 1878-79, it was remodeled on a large scale as a public service project at the proposal of R. Eusden, the British consul in Hakodate and with the support of the Hakodate citizens.
In those days, most of Japanese parks were not newly constructed, but converted ones from old recreation areas, heritages from the Edo era, by a cabient proclamation in 1873. However, Hakodate Park was newly laid out under the influence of European culture and early city planning thought, and with the cooperation of the inhabitants. In this fact does the striking feature of this park lie.
By the suggestion of H. Capron, an American adviser of the old Hokkaido Reclamation Government, a museum was opened in the park in 1879. This is the oldest of all the museums located in Japanese parks.