Fort Goryokaku (五稜郭, Goryōkaku) is a massive, star-shaped, Western-style citadel, which was built in the last years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) for the defense of Hakodate against the imperialist threat posed by the Western powers. A few years later, the fort became the site of a civil war between an army of the shogunate and the superior troops of the newly established Meiji government.
After the fort had lost its military importance, it was eventually turned into a public park in the 1910s. Over one thousand cherry trees were planted along its moats, making it one of Hokkaido's best cherry blossom spots. The peak of the blooming season usually takes place around early May.
In the center of the fort stands the Former Magistrate Office, from where the officers of the shogunate used to administer the island of Hokkaido. The original building was demolished after the fall of the shogunate in 1871, but the city meticulously reconstructed a part of the complex and opened it to the public in 2010.
For a bird's view of the huge fortress, access the observation deck of the nearby Goryokaku Tower. The 107 meter tall tower replaced its 60 meter tall predecessor in 2006.
Getting there and around
From Hakodate Station, take the tram to "Goryokaku Koen-mae" (五稜郭公園前, 15 minutes, 230 yen one way), from where the fortress is another ten minutes on foot.
How to get to and around Hakodate
Hours and Fees
Goryokaku Tower
Hours
9:00 to 18:00
Closed
No closing days
Admission
1000 yen
Former Magistrate Office
Hours
9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from November through March)
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing.
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing.
Closed
December 31 to January 3 and a small number of irregular closing days
Admission
500 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Hakodate
Top rated in Hakodate
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Pension JokuraJust 250 metres from Omachi Tram Station and a 6-minute walk from the Red Brick Warehouse, Pension Jokura offers homely rooms with free wired internet, an LCD TV and shared bathrooms. The heated rooms at Jokura Pension have simple wood furnishings, including a small desk. Toilets are shared. Guests have access to 24-hour shared showers, and shared baths are open from 19:00-24:00. JR Hakodate Train Station is a 6-minute drive, and Hakodate Airport is about a 20-minute drive away. Koryu-ji Temple and Yamanoue-jinja Shrine are about a 15-minute walk away. The hotel has free parking. The pension has a cheery lounge with a wood-burning stove, and a Japanese-style sitting room. A free-use internet PC is available, and a coin launderette is on site. Luggage can be stored at the reception.View on Booking.com -
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Wakamatsu Hot Spring ResortBoasting open-air hot spring baths and ocean views, Wakamatsu Hot Spring Resort is a 15-minute drive from JR Hakodate Station. Free parking is available on site. Delicately prepared Japanese meals are offered. Featuring tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, each room comes with a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The en suite bathroom has a bath tub and free toiletries. Guests at Wakamatsu Hot Spring Resort can unwind at the public bathing area or enjoy massages at an additional charge. Hakodate Airport is a 7-minute drive away. Goryokaku Park is a 12-minute drive from the property. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is a 15-minute walk away, while Yunokawa Onsen bus stop is a 2-minute walk away. Guests with a dinner-inclusive rate can savour Japanese course meals prepared with seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood. Traditional Japanese breakfast is also on offer.View on Booking.com -
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fav HAKODATESet in Hakodate, 4.6 km from Goryokaku Park, fav HAKODATE offers accommodation with a terrace, free private parking and a bar. The property is around 50 km from Mount Iou, 2.3 km from Hakodate Park and 1.6 km from Motomachi Catholic Church. The property is non-smoking and is located 5 km from Hakodate Goryokaku. Guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at fav HAKODATE also have free WiFi, while selected rooms also offer a city view. All guest rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Hakodate Station, Hakodate City Office and Hakodate City Hall. The nearest airport is Hakodate Airport, 7 km from fav HAKODATE.View on Booking.com -
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Hakodate Danshaku Club Hotel & ResortsA 3-minute walk from Hakodate Station, Hakodate Danshaku Club Hotel & Resorts offers rooms with a 32-inch flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Rooms come with a balcony, a living area and a kitchenette. Danshaku Hakodate Club Hotel & Resorts is an 8-minute drive away from Sanroku Station which offers access to the Mount Hakodate Ropeway. Hakodate Morning Market is only a 1-minute walk and Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a 15-minute walk away. Rooms are spacious and bright, featuring tile flooring and simple contemporary design. En suite bathrooms offer views of Mount Hakodate. The Danshaku Club Hotel features bicycle rental and coin-operated laundry facilities. Guests can shop at the in-house sundry shop. A Western breakfast is served in guestrooms.View on Booking.com -
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JR Inn HakodateSituated within 4.6 km of Goryokaku Park and 4.9 km of Hakodate Goryokaku, JR Inn Hakodate features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Hakodate. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. With a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at JR Inn Hakodate also feature free WiFi, while selected rooms also feature a mountain view. At the accommodation the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at JR Inn Hakodate can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Hakodate Station, Hakodate City Office and Hakodate City Hall. The nearest airport is Hakodate Airport, 7 km from JR Inn Hakodate.View on Booking.com -
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Pension Puppy TailPension Puppy Tail is nestled a 5-minute walk or a 1-minute drive away from JR Hakodate Station. Decorated in retro style, it provides free WiFi and a free-use microwave in the lobby. On-site free parking is available. Pension Puppy Tail is a 5-minute walk from Morning Fish Market and a 5-minute drive from Bay Area. Hakodate-yama Ropeway is also a 5-minute drive away, while the mountain's observatory can be reached within a 10-minute drive. Rooms come with either European-style bedding or traditional futon bedding. They all include both air conditioning and heating facilities. An electric kettle and fridge are provided and some rooms feature private bathroom. All rooms have a hairdryer. For guests’ convenience, laundry, ironing and shoeshine services are available. Guests can also store luggage at the front desk. Free small heating pads will be provided during winter.View on Booking.com -
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HakoBA Hakodate by THE SHARE HOTELSThe Share Hotels HakoBA Hakodate offers accommodation in Hakodate, a 6-minute drive from Hakodate Park. Guests can relax on the terrace at the property. Free WiFi is available throughout the building. All rooms feature air conditioning, heating and a safety deposit box. Extras including slippers and towels are provided for guests’ comfort. Some rooms have a desk and refrigerator. There is a shared kitchen and shared lounge at The Share Hotels HakoBA Hakodate. Free luggage storage and lockers are available at the property. There is a gift shop and drinks vending machine on site. There is a restaurant, bar and coffee house on site. Breakfast is also served at the property. There are a few restaurants, cafes and convenience stores within a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Suehirocho Station and Jujigai Station are both under a 5-minute walk from The Share Hotels HakoBA Hakodate. Mount Hakodate Ropeway is located a 7-minute bus ride from the property, while Goryokaku Park is a 20-minute drive away. Hakodate Airport is a 25-minute train ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi AkarinoyuLocated within 1.5 km of Motomachi Catholic Church and 1.6 km of The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akarinoyu offers rooms in Hakodate. The property is set 4.3 km from Hakodate Goryokaku, 5 km from Goryokaku Park and 2.1 km from Hakodate Park. The hotel features a hot spring bath and a 24-hour front desk. Breakfast can be chosen from a selection of offsite restaurants at Hakodake Morning Market featuring Hakodate ingredients. The units come with air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. The private bathroom is equipped with a bath and free toiletries. The hotel offers a hot tub. Popular points of interest near Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akarino include Hakodate City Office, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse and Kitajima Saburo Memorial Museum. The nearest airport is Hakodate Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Yunokawa Prince Hotel NagisateiLocated in a historic hot-spring district with a history of 350 years, Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei boasts rooms with en suite open-air baths. Rooms offer sea views of Tsugaru Strait or views of Hakodate City. Hakodate Airport can be reached within a 10-minute drive. JR Hakodate Train Station and Hakodate Goryokaku Fort are both a 15-minute drive. Yunokawa Prince Hotel Bus Stop is just a minutes’ walk from the hotel. Rooms at Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei have tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon beds. All rooms provide free WiFi access and are air-conditioned with a flat-screen TV, refrigerator and private toilet. The on-site restaurant serves both Japanese and Western style buffet. The buffet restaurant boasts an open kitchen where chefs prepare tempura in front of guests. Guests with a meal inclusive plan will have both dinner and breakfast served in buffet style.View on Booking.com -
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Bourou Noguchi HakodateA 15-minute drive from the Mount Hakodate, Bourou Noguchi Hakodate features modern accommodations with Wi-Fi in the guest rooms. After soaking in the indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths, guests can relax in the massage chairs in the sky lounge, or look out into the beautiful Japanese garden. The JR Hakodate Train Station is a 15-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and a desk. Guests can lounge at the separate seating area with a sofa.The en suite bathroom provides free toiletries and a bathrobe. The hotel provides a library and a billiard room. Guests can also request for massages or relax in the sauna. The duty-free souvenir shop sells local products and the hotel’s original goods. Breakfast and dinner are served at the restaurant. Guests can request for a traditional multi-course meal for dinner. Hakodate Bourou Noguchi is a 15-minute drive to both the Goryokaku Park, and the Motomachi and Bay Area. The Hakodate Airport is a 10-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
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