Twelve Garrisons of Southern Hokkaido

The names come from the "Shinra no Kiroku" which describes the history of the Matsumae Domain.

These garrisons were possessed by the Ando clan and were important sites for trade between Japanese merchants and the indigenous Ainu.

From archaeological records, it is estimated that Japanese migration began in earnest after the late 14th century during the Muromachi period.

In 1593, Matsumae Keihiro of the Oyazaki clan was appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as the presiding lord of Ezo, leading the Ando clan to gradually lose control of Ezo.

After that, the Hokkaido Japanese established the Matsumae Domain, and the twelve garrisons fell out of use and became abandoned.