Gotoken

Gotoken is a long-established restaurant in Hakodate, Hokkaido, whose official site states it has carried on unchanged flavors since its founding in Meiji 12 (1879). Its history page records that founder Sotaro Wakayama and first head chef Eikichi Goto, who fought in the Hakodate War as a former shogunate army member, met in Hakodate in 1879, and that Gotoken was born from that meeting. The company was incorporated as Gotoken Co., Ltd. in 1984 (Showa 59).

According to the official history page, founder Sotaro Wakayama and first head chef Eikichi Goto, who fought in the Hakodate War as a former shogunate army member, met in Hakodate in 1879, and Gotoken was born. In Meiji 12 (1879), Wakayama opened a bakery in Tomioka-cho, and with the cooperation of Eikichi Goto from the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, opened a shop near the old pier serving Russian cuisine, bread, and cakes. In Meiji 19 (1886) the shop burned down, and a Western cuisine restaurant was opened at the former Hachiman-zaka area (Suehiro-cho 15). In Meiji 34 (1901) the second-generation Tokujiro Wakayama built and moved to a three-story Western cuisine restaurant near the Bank of Japan. In Meiji 40 (1907) it was completely destroyed by the Hakodate fire and a new shop was built and moved to the current location in Suehiro-cho. In Taisho 6 (1917) the first-generation Sotaro died and his eldest son Tokujiro inherited. In Taisho 10 (1921) it was completely destroyed by the Hakodate fire, and in Taisho 11 (1922) a partly reinforced-concrete shop with one basement floor and three above-ground floors was newly built at the current location, with hotel operations on part of the second and third floors. In Showa 9 (1934) the main shop was completely destroyed by the Hakodate fire, and three months later temporary shops were set up at three locations in the city. In Showa 10 (1935) the main shop was rebuilt at the current location with part three floors and one basement floor, and the first Shinto-style ceremony hall in Hakodate city was established. In Showa 13 (1938) the third-generation Tokujiro Wakayama's father, the second-generation Tokujiro, died suddenly; the eldest son (Isamu) succeeded to the name Tokujiro as the third generation. In Showa 19 (1944) the Western cuisine restaurant was ordered closed by the Hakodate police chief; the following month the third generation returned from military service and, after negotiation, reopened the same day. In Showa 20 (1945) the main shop was requisitioned by the U.S. military, which set up the headquarters of the 9th Corps, 77th Division; operations continued at the Citizens' Hall borrowed from Hakodate city. In Showa 25 (1950) the U.S. military requisition of the main shop was lifted. In Showa 35 (1960) a cold storage room and food processing plant on the first floor and a Western confectionery factory on the second floor were newly built adjacent to the main shop. In Showa 59 (1984) the company was incorporated as Gotoken Co., Ltd., and an annex and Western confectionery factory were newly built adjacent to the main shop, along with the opening of Restaurant Yukikawatei. In Showa 60 (1985) the fourth generation, Naoshi Wakayama, became president while the third generation Tokujiro became chairman. In Heisei 1 (1989) the Emperor and Empress visited Gotoken and had the second-generation Tokujiro's menu item, Rich Duck Curry, for lunch.

Product categories. curry · cakes · Western cuisine · bread

1. 1五島軒 〈公式サイト〉gotoken1879.jp
2. 2五島軒の歴史 ｜ 五島軒 〈公式サイト〉gotoken1879.jp