The Former British Consulate of Hakodate is a well-preserved colonial building on the Motomachi slopes that served as Britain's diplomatic post from 1859, when Hakodate was among the first Japanese ports opened to Western trade. The current building dates from 1913, a handsome brick structure in the Edwardian colonial style with a formal garden laid out in the British manner. It operated as a consulate until 1934, when Britain closed its Hakodate post as the city's trading importance declined.
The building is now a museum covering the history of the British presence in Hakodate and the broader story of the port's opening to foreign trade. The garden is free to enter and provides pleasant views over the bay. The interior exhibitions are informative about the treaty port era, including the roles of the foreign merchants and diplomats who shaped the city's character. The consulate makes a sensible stop on a walk through the Motomachi district and combines naturally with the nearby Russian Orthodox church and the Kanemori Warehouses below.