The Star Shaped Fort

Goryokaku Tower Observatory

Standing at 107 meters tall, this Goryokaku Tower is a must visit whenever you are in Hakodate, a city on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. The new tower, which was open to visitors in 2006 , replacing its 60 meter predecessor, gives an amazing view of the City of Hakodate but most importantly it gives the best view of Goryokaku Park.

Goryokaku Fort

Looking down from the observation deck, no one could miss seeing the beautiful star shaped park which was originally designed and built to serve as a fort.

The Star Shaped Fort or Goryokaku was built by a Dutch Scholar named Takeda Ayasaburo about 150 years ago, as a means to guard the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office which is situated at the center of the fort during the Edo Shogunate Era.

The construction of Goryokaku started in 1857 and it took 7 years to complete.

Over 1000 cherry trees were planted along the moats making Goryokaku one of Hokkaido’s the best cherry blossoms viewing spots during spring time.

In the center of the Goryokaku Park is Hakodate Magistrate’s Office which was established during the Edo Shogunate Era.  This office serves as the center of the shogunate government northern policies and administrative center.

Hakodate Magistrate’s Office

From the observation deck, we just love the 360 degrees panoramic view of Hakodate City. Besides the historical Goryokaku Park, we could also view Mount Hakodate and Yokotsu Mountain Range. On a good clear day, we were told we could see as far as the Tsugaru Peninsular across the Tsugaru Strait.

Mt Hakodate as seen from Goryokaku Tower

For more information  visit www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp