Shinoridate

Shinoridate is a medieval castle ruin on a coastal terrace east of Hakodate. The site spreads across a defended area with earthen walls on all four sides and two entrances positioned on opposite sides.

The castle was destroyed in 1456 during the Koshamain War and attacked again in 1512 by Ainu forces. This second assault resulted in the death of the local lord and ended Japanese settlement at this location.

The name reflects the conflicts that shaped this region between Japanese settlers and the Ainu people. Walking through the ruins today, visitors can sense how these tensions defined the community that once lived here.

The site is accessible by taking bus line 91A from Hakodate Station to Shinoribashi stop, then a short walk brings you to the ruins. Wear sturdy shoes as the uneven ground and earthen walls require steady footing to explore safely.

In 1968, around 380,000 ancient Chinese coins were unearthed here, Japan's largest discovery of medieval currency. These coins reveal that residents traded with Chinese merchants, showing how connected this remote outpost was to distant trading networks.