The building was constructed in 1880 as Kanamori Import Goods Shop and has since been restored as a museum. It stands out as Hokkaido’s oldest structure constructed by the Colonization Commission using fire-prevention bricks, blending Western and Japanese architectural styles—a hallmark of the Meiji era in Hokkaido. Designated as a tangible cultural property of Hokkaido, it features a notable item: a music box near the entrance. The founder, Kumashiro Watanabe, purchased this music box in Genova, Italy during his travels in Europe. It was made in Switzerland and is the only one of its kind in Japan, with its sound … Continue reading Local Archive Museum of Hakodate, Hakodate Kyodo Shiryokan