The Ezo Republic made its final stand at Goryokaku, a fort completed shortly before the Tokugawa shogunate collapsed. Its original purpose was to defend the Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate against a possible Russian naval threat. The water defenses and star-shaped layout reflected Dutch inspiration, with French assistance also informing the modern construction. The fort is evidence that the shogunate was already trying to modernize Japan's defenses. Its conversion from national coastal defense to rebel redoubt shows how quickly military infrastructure can change political owners during civil war.
Notable Point · 2:38:57-2:42:31
Goryokaku: coastal defense becomes a final redoubt
Ezo's last stronghold was a modern star fort built by the shogunate to guard the Tsugaru Strait against a possible Russian fleet.