Goryokaku Tower

Goryokaku Tower was originally completed in 1964 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction of Goryokaku Fortress. Due to aging, the original tower was dismantled in 2006, and the current tower opened later that same year.
Standing 107 meters tall, the tower features a two-level, pentagon-shaped observation deck designed to mirror the layout of Goryokaku. The upper observation level, at a height of 90 meters, offers a panoramic 360-degree view of Hakodate City.
On the lower observation level, visitors can explore a historical corridor that traces the events leading up to the completion of Goryokaku, as well as the lives of key figures whose destinies were shaped by the turbulent final years of the Edo period and the early Meiji era. This exhibit is engaging even for those with little prior interest in history.
Goryokaku is closely associated with Hijikata Toshizō of the Shinsengumi. Bronze statues of Hijikata can be found both on the observation floor and in the first-floor atrium. With their dignified and striking presence, they have become popular photo spots.
In winter, the “Goryokaku Star Dream Illumination” lights up the moat with around 2,000 bulbs. Viewed from the observation deck, the star-shaped illumination adds a magical touch to Hakodate’s nighttime scenery.
This seasonal display is especially beautiful when the grounds are covered in snow.