Goryokaku was once an important political and military stronghold, but today it is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Hakodate. The most distinctive feature is that, from above, you can see the entire five-pointed star-shaped fort, which is truly unique. Cherry trees are planted all around the fort. Just imagine the entire Goryokaku surrounded by a sea of pink blossoms when they are in full bloom—it must be incredibly beautiful!
There were no cherry blossoms during this visit, but the star-shaped fort alone was still very distinctive. If you're in Hakodate during cherry blossom season, this place is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
There is an additional fee to visit the indoor observation facility, but from up high, you can get a clearer view of Goryokaku's complete star shape.
Goryokaku Park | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Former British Consulate of Hakodate
The Former British Consulate was established when Hakodate port opened as an international port in 1859. Following several fires and rebuildings, the current building completed in 1913 opens to the public as the Opening-Port Memorial Hall.
It's about a 1-minute walk from Motomachi Park, on the right side of Motoi-zaka Slope heading toward Hakodate Port. This consulate experienced two fires and was later rebuilt during the Showa era. It is now a Tangible Cultural Property of Hakodate City.
I originally expected the consulate to feel like a very formal government building, but up close, it actually looked more like a large European-style estate. There are double gates at the front, and a simple landscaped garden in the courtyard, giving the whole place a distinctive look. What caught my attention most was the roof. It uses traditional Japanese roof tiles paired with a blue-and-white color scheme, which unexpectedly gives it a Mediterranean feel and makes it very different from the typical image of an old Japanese building.
We stopped here briefly to take some photos, then continued walking toward the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse〜As you stroll through Hakodate's Motomachi area, every building has its own character, making it a nice place to explore and take photos along the way. -
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Mt. Hakodate Observatory
The Mt. Hakodate Observatory is the final stop of Mt. Hakodate Ropeway. The first floor features an inside lounge, the Ryoubi Park popular among locals as a less-crowded area to enjoy the night sceneries. The second floor features a summit shop, and restaurant selling Mt. Hakodate original goods. The third floor features a tea lounge, and the fourth floor features an observatory lounge.
The night view from Mt. Hakodate really lives up to its reputation. It was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave! Looking down from the observatory, the lights of Hakodate stretch along both sides of the bay, with the water and city forming a beautiful curve. No wonder it's called the “million-dollar night view.”
We were very lucky to have such great weather that day, and the view was incredibly beautiful. If you visit Hokkaido, I really recommend making time to see the night view from Mt. Hakodate. It has a different charm during the day, at dusk, and at night, and the night view is definitely not to be missed! -
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Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
The “Hakodate Ropeway” boasts a 125-seat giant gondola built with domestic and international technology and craftsmanship. It connects the base and summit of Mt. Hakodate at a speed of 7m/s, only a 3 minute ride to the summit. The current gondola is in its 5th generation. Originally it seated 30 seats, but became the way it is now after various refurbishments.
When visiting Mt. Hakodate for the views, taking the ropeway up is definitely the fastest and most convenient option! Each gondola can carry up to 12 people. There aren't many seats inside, so you'll be standing most of the time, but the ride is very smooth, and you can reach the summit in under 3 minutes. It's really fast!
At the summit, the views of Hakodate are also very beautiful. Daytime, dusk, and nighttime each have their own beauty. The famous Hakodate night view in particular is truly worth seeing in person.
However, be aware that it gets extremely crowded on holiday evenings!
If you're planning a trip to Mt. Hakodate, be sure to allow time for waiting in line and check the time of the last ropeway.
Also, ropeway operating hours may vary depending on the season and weather, so remember to check the official website for the latest information before heading out to avoid disrupting your plans. -
