Goryokaku Tower

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Goryokaku Tower

A landmark of Hakodate with a view of the Goryokaku Ruins, a special historic site, below.

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Supervised by :  Goryokaku Tower Corporation

Goryokaku Tower, built adjacent to Goryokaku Park, offers a bird's-eye view of the Goryokaku Ruins, a special national historic site, from 90 meters above ground, and is loved by locals and tourists alike as a landmark of Hakodate.
A 360° panorama offers views of various tourist attractions such as Goryokaku Park, with its seasonal scenery of cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, fresh greenery, and snow, as well as Mt. Hakodate, the Tsugaru Straits, Hakodate Bay, and other famous landmarks.

In the observation area, 16 dioramas cut out of portions of Goryokaku's history since the arrival of Matthew Calbraith Perry are lined up as the Goryokaku Historical Corridor, and graphic panels on the walls introduce the chronology and history of the area.
In addition, the Goryokaku History Guided Tour, in which staff members explain the history of Goryokaku, is also held, allowing visitors to enjoy both the history and the beautiful scenery of the area.

The atrium on the first floor, with its ceiling and walls mostly made of glass, is used by local residents and tourists as a place to relax, and a stage attached to the building is used for concerts and exhibitions. On Saturdays and Sundays, Goryokaku Tower's mascot "GO-ta-kun" makes an appearance, attracting many families with children.

Highlights

  • A landmark of Hakodate where visitors can get a bird's-eye view of the star shape of the Goryokaku Ruins from 90 meters above ground.
  • The Goryokaku Historical Corridor, where visitors can view a diorama of Goryokaku as it has changed through the ages.
  • A glass-walled atrium on the first floor where concerts, exhibitions and other events are held.

Photos

  • "Goryokaku Tower" offers a 360° view of Hakodate City

    "Goryokaku Tower" offers a 360° view of Hakodate City

  • The Goryokaku ruins seen below. This is the only place where you can see the beautiful star shape.

    The Goryokaku ruins seen below. This is the only place where you can see the beautiful star shape.

  • On clear days, you can enjoy telephoto views of Mt. Hakodate and Hakodate Bay.

    On clear days, you can enjoy telephoto views of Mt. Hakodate and Hakodate Bay.

  • The atrium on the first floor is an open glass area.

    The atrium on the first floor is an open glass area.

  • In spring, you can enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the cherry blossoms spread out below.

    In spring, you can enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the cherry blossoms spread out below.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Can you provide services in foreign languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)

A

Not available

Q

Is it possible to re-enter the premises?

A

Re-entry is not allowed.

Q

Is free WiFi available in the facility?

A

Yes, it is.

Q

Is eating and drinking allowed? Also, is it possible to bring in food and beverages?

A

You can eat/drink, or bring in outside items

Q

Are coin lockers available?

A

Available (for a fee).

Q

Are there any discounted tickets available?

A

You can buy advanced tickets at the convenience store.

Reviews

8

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • See More

    Looking up from the base of the tower, the tall structure with its sleek design rises straight into the sky, standing out beautifully against the blue sky, white clouds, and blooming flowers and greenery around it.

    After taking the high-speed elevator directly to the observation deck, you can look down through the large floor-to-ceiling windows and take in the entire massive five-pointed-star-shaped moat and lush Goryokaku Park at a glance. You can even stand on the transparent reinforced-glass floor for the thrill of looking straight down from high above.

    From this height, you can see the Hakodate cityscape along with the mountains and sea in the distance, while the unique geometric star-shaped landscape is truly eye-opening.

    I highly recommend including Goryokaku Tower in an in-depth Hakodate itinerary. Whether you’re admiring the striking panoramic view of the star-shaped fortress, enjoying the transparent floor high above the ground, or taking in a view where history and modernity come together, it will add a memorable visual experience to your trip!

  • See More

    Goryokaku Tower is one of Hakodate's most iconic landmarks. From the observation deck, you can clearly see the distinctive star-shaped fort in Goryokaku Park, and the view from above is truly spectacular.

    On this visit to Goryokaku Tower, I looked down from the observation deck and took in the entire five-pointed-star-shaped moat and lush green park. The exhibits on the observation deck also helped me learn more about the history of Goryokaku and the Battle of Hakodate.

  • See More

    Goryokaku Tower is a popular spot overlooking Goryokaku Fort, with a different look in each season. Inside the tower is the Goryokaku History Corridor, which uses detailed miniature models to introduce the turbulent history of the Battle of Hakodate and Goryokaku. History buffs shouldn't miss the impressive bronze statue of Hijikata Toshizo. The souvenir shop on the first floor has a wide selection, including distinctive gifts to take home!

  • See More

    Goryokaku Tower offers a panoramic view of Goryokaku Park. Inside, you can also see a model of Goryokaku and learn about its history and changing fortunes. There’s also a cool statue of Toshizo Hijikata. Both the top floor and the first floor have souvenir shops. On the first floor, you can buy Hokkaido-exclusive Monchhichi items and plenty of Hakodate specialties.

  • See More

    From the top of Goryokaku Tower, you can look down and see the complete star-shaped fort spread out below. The view is truly impressive, and you can also appreciate the beauty of Japanese history and architecture.

    If you’re visiting Hakodate, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Details

Name in Japanese
五稜郭タワー
Postal Code
040-0001
Address
43-9 Goryokakucho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Telephone
0138-51-4785
Closed
Open every day
Hours
9:00am - 6:00pm
Admission
Adults : 1,200 yen, Junior high and high school students : 900 yen, Elementary school students : 600 yen
Directions
13 min. walk from Goryokaku Koen-mae tram stop.
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa