[Hakodate Night View Guide] Take in a Spectacular Night View from Mt. Hakodate & the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

The Mt. Hakodate Ropeway is a large cable car that connects the base of Mt. Hakodate to the summit, with space for 125 passengers.
Traveling at 23 feet (7 m) per second, it takes 3 minutes to go from the base to the summit.
Below you, a sweeping panorama of Hakodate unfolds, and you can admire scenery unique to Hokkaido, from seasonal changes in the trees to snow-covered winter landscapes.
It’s also recommended to ride at just the right time to catch a sunset or the gradient of twilight.
Enjoy a night view from the ropeway that’s different from what you’ll see at the summit.

From the summit observation deck on Mt. Hakodate, you can take in the unique shape of Hakodate, surrounded by the Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Bay. The daytime view is beautiful, but the night view is the one to see.
The 1,096-foot (334 m) elevation—not too high, not too low—makes the night scenery look even more stunning.
It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the best spots to see Hakodate’s night view.
The Mt. Hakodate Observation Deck building has four floors, arranged as follows.

You can enjoy views of Hakodate not only from the rooftop observation deck, but also from the restaurants and lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Be sure to enjoy the night view from places other than the classic rooftop deck, too.

At “Restaurant Genova” on the 2nd floor of the Mt. Hakodate Observation Deck, you can relax and enjoy a meal while taking in the view through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Another plus is its flexibility: you can also stop by just for drinks or dessert like a café.
There are also great-value set plans for both lunch and dinner that include round-trip ropeway tickets.
Work it into your travel plans and enjoy the scenery and food to the fullest.

Mt. Hakodate has a superstition known as the “Heart Legend.”
There is said to be a heart shape hidden within Hakodate’s night view, and if you can find it, you’ll be happy with the person you’re viewing it with.
It’s also said that the katakana characters for “スキ” are hidden near the heart.
When you visit to see the night view, try looking for the heart and “スキ.”

If you want to fully enjoy Mt. Hakodate’s night view, be sure to visit during twilight time.
Twilight time refers to the Approx. 15–20 minutes after sunset while the sky still holds some light.
Watch the orange-tinged sky gradually fade into darkness as the lights of Hakodate begin to glow.
Many visitors come during twilight time, so arrive at the observation deck a bit early.

At Goryokaku Tower, built next to Goryokaku Park, you can look down on the Goryokaku Fort Ruins, a Special Historic Site of Japan, from a height of 295 feet (90 m). It’s beloved by locals and tourists alike as a Hakodate landmark.
The 360° panorama offers views of seasonal scenery in Goryokaku Park—cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, fresh greenery, and snowy landscapes—as well as famous sights like Mt. Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, and Hakodate Bay.
In the observation area, 16 dioramas are displayed as part of the Goryokaku History Corridor, capturing parts of Goryokaku’s history since Commodore Perry’s arrival, while graphic panels on the walls introduce timelines and historical information.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a Hakodate Bay Area landmark made up of seven warehouses.
With rows of red brick buildings and a romantic atmosphere, it’s easy to see why it’s popular not only with locals and tourists, but also with couples.
In winter, the “Hakodate Christmas Fantasy” event held in front of the warehouses is also worth seeing.
A giant illuminated tree is set afloat on the water, revealing a beautiful side of the red brick warehouses you don’t usually see. During the event, you can also watch fireworks that light up the winter night sky.

Hachimanzaka Slope was named because Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine once stood at the top of the hill.
The beautiful stone-paved road runs straight toward the sea, lined on both sides with neatly maintained trees, and offers a view of Hakodate Bay along with the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Mashu Maru, which is moored and displayed.
In winter, the Hakodate Illumination event lights up the trees and stone pavement beautifully. Many people visit to enjoy a night view unique to Hachimanzaka—every bit as impressive as the view from Mt. Hakodate.

Shirotai Ranch (Shirotai Bokujou) opened in 1920 as a village-owned grazing field and wild grass pasture. Today, it has developed Approx. 395 acres (160 hectares) of expansive grassland and is used as a town-run ranch.
The Shirotai Ranch “Kanri-to Observation Deck,” newly built in 2012, is located at an elevation of Approx. 1,640 feet (500 m) on the ranch, where a peaceful scene of grazing cows stretches out before you.
From the observation deck’s large windows, you can see Mt. Hakodate to the south and the Ono Plain to the southwest. In the daytime, enjoy scenery like a painting—from lush early-summer grasslands to vivid autumn foliage.
At night, it’s also known as a “back night view (Seven-Star Night View)” spot, where you can enjoy a sparkling, jewel-like panorama.