Yukitsugu managed to restore order and prosperity to the domain and modernized its military forces through increased implementation of rangaku studies. During the Boshin War of 1868-69, the Tsugaru clan under its final "daimyō", Tsugaru Tsuguakira, first sided with the imperial government, and attacked the forces of the nearby Shōnai Domain. However, it soon switched course, and was briefly a signatory to the pact that created the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei, before backing out, once again in favor of the imperial government. It did not take part in any of the major military action against the imperial army. The Kuroishi branch joined the Hirosaki-Tsugaru in siding with the imperial government. As a result, the clan was able to evade the punishment meted out by the government on the northern domains. After northern Honshū was pacified, Tsugaru forces joined the imperial army in attacking the Republic of Ezo at Hakodate. In return for its assistance, the Meiji government granted the Tsugaru family of Hirosaki a 10,000 "koku" increase. Both branches of Tsugaru daimyo were made of their domains in 1869. Two years later, as with all other daimyo, both Tsugaru lines were relieved of their offices by the abolition of the han system. In the Meiji era, Tsugaru Tsuguakira, was ennobled with the title of count ("hakushaku") under the "kazoku" peerage system. Tsugaru Tsugumichi, the last "daimyō" of the Kuroishi-Tsugaru, became a viscount ("shishaku"). He later worked as a director of the , and Tsugumichi became a member of the House of Peers in 1890. Tsugaru Tsuguakira had no son, and adopted the younger son of the court noble Konoe Tadafusa, who took the name of to be his heir. Hidemaru was educated in Germany, graduating from the University of Bonn, Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Geneva and after his return to Japan served in under the Japanese Resident-General of Korea from 1907-1914, and in the Ministry of the Imperial Household from 1914-1918. In 1918, he was appointed to the House of Peers. Hidemaru was succeeded by , who was born as the second son of a branch of the Owari Tokugawa clan.