Former Russian Consulate

Overview

The Former Russian Consulate, built in 1908, was the earliest Russian consulate established in Hakodate. After the Russian Revolution, it became the Soviet Union's consulate following the signing of the Japan-Soviet Basic Treaty, but it was closed in 1944 at the end of the Pacific War. After the war, it was managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1964, the city of Hakodate purchased it and it became the "Hakodate Minami Aoi no Ie" (Hakodate South Youth House). However, the "Minami Aoi no Ie" was abolished in 1996, leaving the building closed for many years. After a single day of public opening in 2020, it was sold to a company in Nagoya in 2021, and renovation work to transform it into a hotel began in March 2023. The Former Russian Consulate is an important site in Hakodate's history and a valuable cultural property in the history of modern Japanese architecture. Reborn as a hotel, the Former Russian Consulate will undoubtedly radiate new charm and become an even more significant tourist destination in Hakodate. When visiting Hakodate, be sure to visit the Former Russian Consulate and immerse yourself in its history.