What other travelers are saying about Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward is one of Hakodate’s most iconic Western-style historic buildings. Completed in 1910 in the Motomachi district, it served as a venue for official ceremonies and receptions, reflecting the city’s role as an early international port. Its elegant wooden structure with a columned balcony overlooks Hakodate Port.
The building was funded largely through donations from local residents, with major support from Teppei Soma, a prominent merchant and philanthropist, and it hosted members of the Japanese imperial family, including Emperor Taishō (then Crown Prince) and later Emperor Shōwa.
For many decades before the latest renovation, the hall was painted pink and white, a look locals had grown used to. When the 2021 restoration restored the original blue-and-yellow color scheme, some residents were reportedly unhappy — not because it lacked historical accuracy, but because the pink façade had become part of local memory.
Today, the Public Hall functions as a museum and cultural venue. Visitors can explore restored interiors, rent Meiji-era Western-style costumes, attend concerts and cultural events, and use a multilingual AR app explaining the rooms and furnishings.
Practical information: Tickets are sold on site, with English-speaking staff available. You can buy a single ticket or combined passes for 2, 3, or 4 museums. We chose a 3-museum pass (720 yen), which also included the Former British Consulate and the Northern Peoples Museum — excellent value.
More about Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward from our blog
Frequently Asked Questions
The building is significant for its architectural style, which reflects Western influences that were prevalent during the Meiji and Taisho periods in Japan. It also represents the cultural and social development of Hakodate and Hokkaido during the early 20th century. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Yes, visitors can tour the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward. The interior of the building features beautiful, well-preserved rooms that showcase the lifestyle of the era, including reception rooms, a ballroom, and historical exhibits.
The Old Public Hall is located within walking distance of the Motomachi district, a historic area in Hakodate. Visitors can take a tram to the Jujigai stop and walk approximately 10 minutes to reach the site.
Photography is usually allowed inside the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, but there might be restrictions in certain areas or for specific exhibits. It is always best to check the guidelines at the entrance or ask a staff member before taking photos.
If you are a history buff or love heritage buildings, this is a must visit. They offer special admission fees based on how many places you want to visit.
The rooms are kept in its traditional style. The hall is beautiful with hardwood floors and is open for rentals and events. Make sure you visit the top floor where there’s a panoramic view of Hakodate harbor.
There’s a small retail shop selling souvenirs and interesting gifts.
You are expected to remove your shoes and wear plastic sandals inside.
worth the 500 yen
but not much on display compare with other northern. city halls I visited in 山形and 秋田 .
the rental of western epoch belle clothes for photo was a stile of genius since it brings elegance and atmosphere to the sparsely furnitures building
good fall foliage and nice view from the foyer
Nice outside but I wish they had more furniture from the time period in the building. Wanted you to download a special app to have virtual reality of the rooms 👎🏻. Also required NO shoes when walking on hard floors (why I do not know).
As tourist, probably won’t really mean a lot. The interior is quite interesting with old furniture and historical values to the local and across Japan.
