Such a cool spot!
I was genuinely amazed by the view from the top, seeing the whole star-shaped fort layout from above is incredible. And yes, as a fan, I definitely had to visit because of Detective Conan! Lol. It was 100% worth going up the tower to see it in person. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in Hakodate!
I’ve never seen so many cherry blossoms in my life — it was absolutely breathtaking. The park is incredibly beautiful, especially during peak bloom. Make sure to go up the tower to take in the full view of the park from above — it’s truly impressive and something you won’t forget.
We visited early in the morning to beat the crowds. Even then, there was still a queue for the handful of prime spots that offer the best view of Goryokaku’s iconic star shape, along with fantastic views of Hakodate.
If you have time, take a walk through Goryokaku Park afterward. The aerial view from the tower is impressive, but seeing the fort from ground level gives you a completely different perspective and makes the visit feel more complete.
Pro tip: save about 10% on admission by buying your ticket at 7-Eleven before you arrive. The discount option is buried in the Japanese-only menu on the copier machine, so you may need to ask the staff for help.
We visited Goryokaku Tower on Sunday morning. We reached around 8.40 so had a walk around the park area before heading over to the tower, which opens at 9. The park was huge but was well maintained and worth a walk around. You can visit the magistrate’s building for a fee and have your photos taken in traditional outfits just outside.
There was a queue for the tickets by the time we got there at 9 but the queue moved quickly and soon we got into the lifts to take us to the observation deck. It gave a great view of the fort and the rest of Hakodate. There was also an explanation of the history of the fort, in Japanese, English and Mandarin, which was much appreciated for us non-Japanese speakers.
We spent about 30 mins there before descending to have a melon soft serve at the ground floor cafe and to shop at their souvenir shop. The shop turned out to be quite a highlight for us. We found more items to buy there than at Kanemori warehouse; quality items at reasonable prices so do check it out. I think there were quite a few local visitors so perhaps that’s why the prices were reasonable.
Stunning unique views, but check the bloom calendar before visiting
Ticket Discount: Buy your tickets at 7-Eleven before arriving to save 10% on admission. Will need assistance from the staff as it’s only available in the Japanese menu at the copier machine
The View & Shape: The aerial view of the star-shaped fort is highly unique and fascinating.
Timing & Blooms: We visited on 30 May and enjoyed beautiful, clear weather. However, only two rows of flowering azaleas were left. The wisteria season also appeared to be ending.
Verdict: Absolutely worth a visit for the architecture and views, but it would be truly superb if timed perfectly with the full Sakura blossom season.
