The Hakodate Gokoku Shrine is most famous for its graveyard where soldiers who served during the Battle of Hakodate in 1869 are buried. The place has a small memory stone to remember the 200,000 students (of middle school age) who were forced into farming towards the end of World War II. With the men in the families fighting in wars, the school children were used for labour to produce food.

Apart form the troubled story, the temple with its bright red Torii entrance and main shrine does have a spiritual ambience and with the surrounding cherry blossom tree, the place also makes for a pleasant stroll when in Hakodate.

Do look out for ‘Ema’ – the wooden plaques that are sold at Japanese shrines believed to bring good luck. They make for fantastic souvenirs and also are a great gift idea.

• Bus stop:  Ropeway Zen Bus Stop Ropeway front (bus)
• Light Rail stop: Horaicho Station Baba Town Station
• By taking a Street Car.
• By renting a Bike.
• On foot

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in Hakodate before you plan your trip.

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