Park & nature

Goryōkaku

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Goryōkaku is a historic star-shaped fort located in Hakodate, built in the mid-19th century by the Tokugawa shogunate. It was the site of the final battle of the Boshin War in 1869, a key event in Japan's modernization. Today, the fort is a public park, especially popular during cherry blossom season when over 1,600 cherry trees bloom along the moats. Visitors can walk or cycle around the fort's perimeter, explore the reconstructed Hakodate Magistrate's Office at the center, and climb the nearby Goryōkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of the star shape. The park also features museums and monuments that tell the story of the fort's history.

Don't miss

  • Star-shaped fort visible from Goryōkaku Tower observation deck
  • Cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in spring along the moats
  • Reconstructed Hakodate Magistrate's Office with historical exhibits

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Ways to visit Goryōkaku

You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.

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