List of Seven Must-Visit Spots in Hakodate
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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

3. Stroll in Goryokaku Park Steeped in History!

Goryokaku, a star-shaped fort completed in 1864 and the first Western-style fort in Japan, was originally designed by Takeda Ayasaburo to guard against invasion by western armies, firearms and cannons, and has been designated as a special historic site in Japan, and citizens have been granted free access to it.

Ever-Beautiful Public Park ♡

Goryokaku Park is a nice place for a walk and a rest. There are cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, bright foliage in fall and enchanting snowscape in winter. Further, the moat is surrounded by some 1,600 cherry trees, making the Goryokaku one of Hokkaido's top cherry blossom viewing spots.

Goryokaku Park: cherry blossom
Goryokaku Park: cherry blossom
Goryokaku Park: greenery
Goryokaku Park: greenery
Goryokaku Park: fall foliage
Goryokaku Park: fall foliage
Goryokaku Park: snowscape
Goryokaku Park: snowscape

Hakodate Magistrate's Office Built with Traditional Craft

Right in the center of the star fort stands Hakodate Magistrate's Office (Hako-kan Bugyosho) is a restored building that was once used as a government office run by samurai and destructed in a war. Encompassed by a forest of red pines symbolizing its nobleness, the august office looks solemn.

Hakodate Magistrate's Office and the forest of pines
Hakodate Magistrate's Office and the forest of pines

You may also go inside to see its design and appreciate the exquisite beauty of every structure from the entrance to Japanese-style rooms that were built with traditional craft.

Interior of Hakodate Magistrate's Office
Interior of Hakodate Magistrate's Office

Goryokaku Tower and Shinsengumi with Historical Significance

Goryokaku Tower, adjacent to the park, is 107 m high and its observation deck (90 m high) commands a panoramic view of the entrancing star-shaped scene encircled by the moat. In fine days, Mount Hakodate or even the Tsugaru Strait are visible from the observation deck.

Goryokaku Tower and Goryokaku Park
Goryokaku Tower and Goryokaku Park

Internal Facilities

  • 1F: Ticket counters for the observation deck and souvenir stores
  • 2F: Restaurants and stores selling dessert
  • 1F (86m) of the observation deck: Cafés and stores
  • 2F (90m) of the observation deck: Exhibition space, Goryokaku History Gallery and a bronze statue of Hijikata Toshizo
1F of the observation deck
1F of the observation deck

It should be noted that on the second floor of the observation deck there is a bronze stature of Hijikata Toshizo, who was the Vice-Commander (Fukucho) of the Shinsengumi (New Selected Group). As a representative of the samurai that had followed the samurai spirit (bushido) to the last in the period of Bakumatsu and at the onset of the Meiji Restoration, he has become a popular subject of many Japanese novels, movies, manga and anime, and there are even quite a few clubs formed by his fans. Therefore this is a must-visit spot for the Japanese making a tour of Goryokaku Park.

Bronze statue of Hijikata Toshizo
Bronze statue of Hijikata Toshizo

Basic information on Goryokaku Tower

Admission of the observation deck
Adult: 900 yen; junior high school or high-school student, 680 yen; elementary school student: 450 yen
Hours
[4/21〜10/20] 8:00-19:00 / [10/21〜4/20]9:00-18:00
Closed
No

Video on Goryokaku Park

Basic information on Goryokaku Park

Address
44, Goryokaku, Hakodate, Hokkaido
Phone
0138-40-3605
Hours
5:00-19:00 (April to October) / 5:00-18:00 (November through March)
Closed
No
Fares
Free
Access
Take a streetcar at JR Hakodate Station, get off at the stand of Goryokaku Park Front (Goryokaku Koen-mae), and walk for about 15 minutes; or take a Hakodate taxi, get off at the stand of Goryokaku Park Entrance and walk for about 7 minutes.
Official website (in Japanese)
http://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/