is a large Western-style park in

Hakodate is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of July 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 279,851 with 143,221 households, and a population density of 412.8 ...

, Hokkaidō, Japan, at the foot of Mount Hakodate. Opened in 1879, it is a registered as a "place of scenic beauty" in Japan's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. It contains the

Hakodate City Museum is a museum of history and natural history in Hakodate Park, Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan. The forerunner of the current museum, the Hakodate Provisional Museum, building one, opened in May 1879, the second building in 1884, and the third buildi ...

, as well as a small zoo and children's theme park ("Kodomo no Kuni"), and is a popular site for cherry blossom viewing.

History

In 1874, a simple park was established at the current site of Hakodate Park. It was not until the year leading up to 1879, however, that the park took on its current unique form through a proposal of Richard Eusden, the British Consul of Hakodate, and with the support of the citizens of Hakodate. Eusden brought the influence of European culture and early concepts of city planning, with strong involvement of the inhabitants of Hakodate. It is these unique origins that bring Hakodate Park its distinct character among public parks in Japan. At the suggestion of Horace Capron, advisor to Japan's Hokkaidō Development Commission, a museum (

) was opened in the park in 1879. This is the oldest of all museums located in Japanese parks. File:Shirakawa bridge.jpg, Shirakawa Bridge File:Hakodate kouen kanransha.jpg, Ferris Wheel at Kodomo no Kuni theme park File:Hakodate City Museum.jpg, Hakodate City Museum File:Former Hakodate Museum 1.jpg, Former Hakodate Museum Building 1 File:Former Hakodate Museum 2.jpg, Former Hakodate Museum Building 2

References

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External Links

Hakodate Housing and City Facilities Public Corporation page on Hakodate Park
(jp)
Kodomo no Kuni website
(jp) Tourist attractions in Hokkaido Special Historic Sites Special Places of Scenic Beauty Hanami spots of Japan Hakodate