Hakodate Goryokaku(函館五稜郭): Historical place and Outstanding Shape

Goryokaku tower
This place is written as [五稜郭] in Japanese.
Hakodate Bugyo sho
Hakodate Bugyo sho

Goryokaku(五稜郭) is one of the most important historical place in the Meiji era. Boshin War and Hakodate War took place here. Buyo Enomoto and Toshizo Hijikata fought the last battle with their Shinsengumi troops; that was Tokugawa Shogunate police and military force located in Kyoto and dedicated to suppressing anti-Shogunate activities in the Edo period. After Tokugawa surrendered, the end of Shogunate period, they had to run away to the north of Japan, Hokkaido. They had been staying in Hakodate for some years before under occupation of the Meiji government troops.

Cherry blossom in Goryokaku
Cherry blossom in Goryokaku

These legends, Hijikata’s last fighting, has been handed down to people of Hakodate City. So that in every year, the contest of Toshizo Hijikata is held in Goryokaku, the middle of May. Participants are supposed to compete how dramatic they perform Hijikata’s death. The winner gets ¥100,000 prize money and he/she can take part in the parade next day. This is the most exciting events in Goryokaku and worth looking and why don’t you try?

Goryokaku Tower
Goryokaku Tower

Also Goryokaku is one of the most famous place looking at cherry blossoms in Hokkaido. The star-shaped cherry blossoms bloom gorgeous. In the winter, it is lighted up at night and you can enjoy mystic Goryokaku floating in the white snow. From Goryokaku Tower, this is the best view of it, really worth visiting when you stay in Hakodate in the winter. Don’t miss it.

Goryokaku Tower(五稜郭タワー)

Access from Hakodate Sta.

  • 20 minutes by streetcar to the Goryokaku Koen-Mae streetcar stop
  • 15 minutes on foot

Open

  • April 21 – October 20; 8:00 – 19:00
  • October 21 – April 20; 9:00 – 18:00

Address

  • 43-9, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate

TEL

  • +81-138-51-4785

Tower Observatory Admission Fee

  • Adults: ¥840

WEB

 

Hakodate Magistrate’s Office(函館奉行所)

Access

from Hakodate Sta

  • 20 minutes by streetcar to the Goryokaku Koen-Mae streetcar stop
  • 20 minutes on foot

Open

  • April – October; 9:00 – 18:00
  • November – March; 9:00 – 17:00

Address

  • 44, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate

TEL

  • +81-138-51-2864

Admittion Fee

  • Adults: ¥500

WEB