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
-
Sukesan Udon Uomachi Branch
Sukesan Udon is a udon chain that originated in Kitakyushu. The Uomachi Branch is located in the Uomachi Shopping Arcade in Kokura and is popular with everyone from locals to tourists. Its carefully crafted flavors, extensive menu of more than 150 items, and exceptional convenience as a 24-hour, year-round restaurant are all part of its appeal.
On this trip to Kokura in Kitakyushu, I went out of my way to visit a well-known local udon restaurant, Sukesan Udon Uomachi Branch! I was originally just looking for a quick bowl of noodles, but it turned out to be unexpectedly delicious, and the prices were incredibly low. The value for money was a pleasant surprise!
Ordering is self-service, so you can choose items according to your preferences. The restaurant is also quite spacious and comfortable for dining. The udon noodles are smooth and chewy, and the broth is rich yet easy to drink. Even a simple bowl of noodles was very satisfying.
The best part is that this restaurant is open 24 hours, so whether it's morning, evening, or the middle of the night, you can always get a steaming bowl of udon!
If you're visiting Kokura and looking for affordable and delicious local food, this place is definitely worth adding to your list!
-
-
Sarakurayama Observatory
It's an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kitakyushu city area. To reach the observatory at the summit of the 622-meter-high mountain, visitors take a cable car and a slope car.
On this trip to Kitakyushu, I made a special point of visiting the Sarakurayama Observatory, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! To reach the summit, you can take a cable car and then transfer to a small monorail called the slope car. Along the way, you can enjoy the mountain scenery, and as the car slowly climbs, the view becomes more and more expansive. Just riding up was a lot of fun.
After reaching the summit, the view was even more stunning! You can see Kitakyushu, the mountains, and the bay in the distance. At night, the entire city sparkles with lights, and together with the winding waterways and bridges, it creates an incredibly beautiful million-dollar night view. I really couldn’t stop taking pictures.
This isn’t just a great place to enjoy the scenery—the cable car ride up the mountain is also well worth experiencing. If you’re traveling to Kitakyushu, I highly recommend adding the Sarakurayama Observatory to your itinerary and seeing this captivating night view for yourself. It’s definitely worth the trip!
-
-
Shiranoe Botanical Garden
Open for nearly 80 years as a botanical park, this spot on a gentle hill offers natural landscapes woven by plants throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy seasonal views including spring cherry blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, lotuses, autumn wildflowers, and foliage. The park exudes an authentic Japanese ambiance throughout, with over 700 cherry trees of 60 varieties from Kyushu, making it one of the most significant collections in the region.
On this trip to Kitakyushu, I found another place that made me feel relaxed—Shiranoe Botanical Garden. The entire park is beautifully maintained, and you can enjoy all kinds of flowers, plants, and trees along the way. Walking through the park feels especially pleasant.
The best thing about this place is that it offers different scenery in every season. You can enjoy soft pink cherry blossoms in spring and romantic red maple leaves in fall. Each season brings a different kind of natural beauty.
The park never feels rushed. It’s perfect for slowing down, enjoying the scenery as you walk, finding a place to sit and rest, and spending some leisurely time.
Compared with busy tourist attractions, I prefer quiet places like this where I can get close to nature and take a peaceful walk.
-
