Hakodate: Fort History, Panoramic Views and Morning Market

Hakodate offers several specific points to consider when planning a trip: the history of Goryokaku Fort, views from the observation decks of Goryokaku Tower, the morning market by the station and the historic downtown, which you can explore aboard a restored streetcar. If you’re looking for a hotel in Hakodate, you can start by deciding which of these themes you want to shape your stay. These different focuses help you distinguish between cultural, culinary and urban interests.

Goryokaku: Fort History and Transformation

Goryokaku Fort is a five-pointed star fort in central Hakodate. It was Japan’s first Western-style fortification and was completed in 1864. The site’s history also includes a later transformation: in 1914, it was converted into a public park and opened to visitors. Half a century separates its completion from this transformation. This allows you to distinguish between two historical stages: the fort as a defensive structure and the site’s later use as a public park. The five-pointed shape describes the site, while the dates make the time between these stages clear.

Views from Goryokaku Tower

The observation decks of Goryokaku Tower are 86 and 90 meters high. From both, you can enjoy a good view of Mount Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait and the Yokotsu Mountains to the north. The decks differ in height by four meters, while the named sights remain the same. If you choose a viewpoint as a focus for your trip, you’ll have two specific heights and three named landmarks to help orient you. The Yokotsu Mountains are specifically located to the north. The tower offers a distinct focus alongside the history of the fort: here, the views of Hakodate’s surroundings take center stage.

Morning Market and Local Specialty

The morning market by Hakodate Station sells seafood and other products. Restaurants around the market serve a local specialty: a seafood donburi rice bowl. This lets you distinguish between two culinary interests: the market and its products, and the restaurants where the rice dish is served. If you’d like to include seafood in your trip plans, the donburi bowl is a specific way to connect with the local cuisine. The market offers more than this specialty, too, as it also has other products. Individual vendors’ offerings may vary.

Explore the Historic Downtown by Streetcar

Exploring the historic downtown is another way to get to know Hakodate. The restored streetcar “Hakodate Haikara Go,” which is about 100 years old, is used for this purpose. The streetcar is both a historic landmark and a way to explore downtown. Operating days and weather-related cancellations may change. Before planning a ride, check the operating days and any possible service interruptions.

Discover more destinations: Kiyosato, Nemuro, Jozankei, Rishirifuji, Abuta District, Oshidomari, Menashi District, Shibetsu District

For the main travel overview: Hokkaido.