Goryokaku Tower
Goryokaku Tower
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksObservation Decks & TowersHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
About
Goryokaku Tower Official Account. View of Mt.Hakodate and the Tsugaru Straits from the observatory. The star-shaped vista that shines on the grounds of Goryokaku Fort, a special historic spot.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Goryokaku Tower and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,428 within 3 miles
Attractions
227 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- SkaramooshEdmonton, Canada4,057 contributionsLoved It!The 360 degree views you get from Goryokaku tower is simply awesome! Getting to the tower is easy. Local transport will get you there. Tickets to the observation deck is not very pricey. The display of history through scaled models is wonderful. The view of Goryokaku Park is a sight to behold. Take your time to stroll and just take in what's there. Highly recommended!Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 26, 2024
- fizzy1991Nashville, Tennessee5,954 contributionsElevator only takes seconds for a stunning view from the topViews on all sides. This tower truly gives you the perspective of Hakodate and the sea beyond the port. Looking down on the western style “pentagon fort” which shows the true star shape that you can not envision from the ground level. The tower is 351 feet high and the elevator takes only 30 seconds with little to no motion. It was a bit off putting when the lights in the elevator turned to black light but only for a little bit of the ride.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 5, 2024
- Deanosaur89Edmonton, Canada8,840 contributionsGreat Views of HakodateThe Goryokaku Tower is at the southwest corner of the Goryōkaku which is a star shaped fort. From the tower you can get great views of the star fort and the surrounding areas. There is also some nice displays in English and Japanese to explain the history of the fort that we found interesting. We went in the middle of the day in December and it was not too busy when we went around noon. There was limited bathrooms at the top of the tower so we had to go back down. There are queues for the elevator to go up and down and there could be a wait if there is a large tour group in the area. There is a restaurant at the base as well as a gift shop that looked pretty nice. We would recommend spending at least an hour at the tower itself and plan to see the Goryokaku Fort as it is now a nice park area. Cost to enter the tower is 1000 yen but the fort area is free to walk around.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 31, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,195 reviews
Excellent
750
Very good
1,093
Average
326
Poor
23
Terrible
3
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Jojo A
Taguig City, Philippines257 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Great way to learn the early history of Hokkaido. The dioramas on the top floor offered a concise yet very interesting narrative of a critical point in Hokkaido’s history!
The views from the top were breathtaking as well. It would be good to visit and go up the tower first before exploring the fort beside it. Would give you a context of the fort already.
The views from the top were breathtaking as well. It would be good to visit and go up the tower first before exploring the fort beside it. Would give you a context of the fort already.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
アポロン
Matsumoto, Japan84 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
From the tower, you can see Goryokaku clearly, and I was fascinated by its size, the lack of blind spots, and the beauty of its construction. There are many castles in Europe that are built like this. A luxury cruise ship happened to be anchored at Hakodate Port, and I was surprised at how big it was!
You have to buy an admission ticket to go up to the tower, but this line to buy admission tickets is extremely crowded!
You can't change it unless you line up.
However, there is a secret trick to avoid this.
These tickets are sold at convenience stores.
I bought one in advance, so I was able to get on the elevator right away and go to the top of the tower without having to line up at all.
There are also several places to eat inside. I had curry at Gotoken. It was delicious.
Goryokaku is right next to the tower.
I heard that it is very beautiful if you go during cherry blossom season. I would like to come to Hokkaido at that time next time.
You have to buy an admission ticket to go up to the tower, but this line to buy admission tickets is extremely crowded!
You can't change it unless you line up.
However, there is a secret trick to avoid this.
These tickets are sold at convenience stores.
I bought one in advance, so I was able to get on the elevator right away and go to the top of the tower without having to line up at all.
There are also several places to eat inside. I had curry at Gotoken. It was delicious.
Goryokaku is right next to the tower.
I heard that it is very beautiful if you go during cherry blossom season. I would like to come to Hokkaido at that time next time.
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roy v
Traralgon, Australia6,027 contributions
Sep 2022
While recently staying in Hakodate we visited the tower and found out a lot of the history while there, plenty of information boards about.
The viewing area up the top is fantastic, you get terrific photo opportunities as you look out over the city and the port area .
Looking down onto the parkland below where the fort used to be and the last Samurai battles were fought is really special . The top of the tower is the same five corner star shape as the fort was .
A must place to visit
The viewing area up the top is fantastic, you get terrific photo opportunities as you look out over the city and the port area .
Looking down onto the parkland below where the fort used to be and the last Samurai battles were fought is really special . The top of the tower is the same five corner star shape as the fort was .
A must place to visit
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ふれさん
1,139 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
You can't see Goryokaku's pentagonal star shape unless you see it from above. So you can climb this tower and look at it from above. The entrance fee is 1000 yen. Take the elevator up to the observation deck and a star shape will appear before your eyes. With 360° glass all around, you can see Mt. Hakodate and the city. Many cherry trees are planted in the star shape, and at this time of year the leaves have all fallen off. If we had come a little earlier, the orange star shape would have been a pentagon. The Enkianthus campanulatus was still there in a beautiful red. A friend who visited this spring said that the cherry blossoms bloomed earlier than expected due to the warm weather, and he could see the pink star shape.
The white star shape covered with snow would also be nice.
It seems that it is lit up at night at this time of year.
The white star shape covered with snow would also be nice.
It seems that it is lit up at night at this time of year.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
メロパパ
Yokohama, Japan695 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
It's a bright building covered in glass. By the way, this tower (second generation) opened on April 1, 2006 and is apparently 107m tall.
It costs 1000 yen per adult. Is that cheap or expensive? You'll have to wait until you get up to decide. The elevator arrived at the second observation floor, 90m high. It has a pentagonal shape just like Goryokaku. The glass surfaces are slanted, making it easy to see and offering a powerful view. From the observation deck you can see views of Mt. Hakodate, Tsugaru Strait, the Yokotsu mountain range, and the star-shaped view shining on the ground of Goryokaku, a special historic site.
It costs 1000 yen per adult. Is that cheap or expensive? You'll have to wait until you get up to decide. The elevator arrived at the second observation floor, 90m high. It has a pentagonal shape just like Goryokaku. The glass surfaces are slanted, making it easy to see and offering a powerful view. From the observation deck you can see views of Mt. Hakodate, Tsugaru Strait, the Yokotsu mountain range, and the star-shaped view shining on the ground of Goryokaku, a special historic site.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zhi Xuan
Singapore, Singapore28 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
The Goryokaku Tower offers an excellent vantage point to survey the Goryokaku Fortress and the entire Hakodate City. There are cute figurines accompanied by translations to describe the history of the fortress in much greater detail than travel guides. A must visit before heading to the magistrate's office in the fortress.
Written January 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fizzy1991
Nashville, TN5,954 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Views on all sides. This tower truly gives you the perspective of Hakodate and the sea beyond the port. Looking down on the western style “pentagon fort” which shows the true star shape that you can not envision from the ground level. The tower is 351 feet high and the elevator takes only 30 seconds with little to no motion. It was a bit off putting when the lights in the elevator turned to black light but only for a little bit of the ride.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dewaere
Ile-de-France, France668 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
The place is worth a visit, first a very stylish welcome of hostesses
Once at the top of the tower, magnificent view of the city of Hakodate at 360
degrees, models explain the history of the city
Explanatory leaflet in many languages including French
This star park is frankly beautiful seen from above
If you like ice cream stop at the milkissimo stand, they are very good
Once at the top of the tower, magnificent view of the city of Hakodate at 360
degrees, models explain the history of the city
Explanatory leaflet in many languages including French
This star park is frankly beautiful seen from above
If you like ice cream stop at the milkissimo stand, they are very good
Automatically translated
Written September 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enilectric
79 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Maybe it’s because we went to Mount Hakodate the evening before which sets the bar of expectation quite high, but this was totally not worth the money. The view is ok but not breathtaking or otherwise special. On top of that, the air on the observation level is extremely poor.
Visit the park itself, so much better.
Visit the park itself, so much better.
Written May 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phale12017
United Kingdom52 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
This attraction is certainly unusual! A star shaped building on top of a very tall tower . On ground level there are interesting shops, coffee bar and snacks. The elevator travels very quickly to the top where the views are terrific! There are interesting models and notices to read and definitely some great photographs to take! The tower is set in amazing gardens which were truly spectacular in autumn. There is also the house of the last Samurai to be seen. Goryokaku Tower and Park are a must!
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arriving by cruise ship 30th April will we be able to see cherry blossom trees in bloom from the top of the tower. Plus best way to get here from the cruise terminal.
Written April 22, 2019
Just heard on the news that cherry blossoms in Matsumae close to Hakodate has started to bloom. You couldn't have picked a better date!
Written April 22, 2019
We will be arriving in Hakodate November 2 and would like to visit the following day. Have the trees started changing color yet?We would love to see the autumn foliage.
Written October 10, 2018
Since i left Hakodate in 12 oct,trees started changing colors,so it might probably be.
Written October 20, 2018
How do we travel from JR Hakodate to Goryokaku Tower? Thanks in advance.
Written November 27, 2017
The local tram is an inexpensive way to travel to tourist spots in Hakodate. Tram stop #17 is a short 100 meter walk east from the JR Hakodate station. Ride the tram north and exit at stop #9. Walk north towards the Goryokaku observation tower about 1 km to the base of the tower. The entrance to the park is on the north side of the tower base. When you exit tram you can purchase day passes for unlimited riding for the day. Our Hotel was near stop #9 where there are many restaurants and conveyor belt sushi restaurants where you can eat before or after your visit to Goryokaku.
Written November 28, 2017
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing