Goryokaku is one of the few Western-style castle fortresses in Japan. Built in 1857, it became Japan's first Western-style fortification and is shaped like a pentagon, officially named Goryokaku. It has a history of over 150 years and played a role in the final battle of the Meiji Restoration, the Battle of Hakodate. Walking inside and outside Goryokaku, one can feel the beauty of Japanese style among the cherry blossoms and also see the weathered boulders on the old castle walls. The Goryokaku Tower is located next to the park and offers a clear view of the entire pentagonal shape. The scenery of Goryokaku changes with the seasons - cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and a serene winter landscape draped in white. This unique sense of Japan can be experienced in Hokkaido.
Motomachi is a historic district located at the foot of Mt. Hakodate in Hakodate, with numerous early Western governmental institutions, Orthodox churches and other European-style buildings. Not only does this area feature a beautiful retro-style street view, but visitors can also enjoy stunning sea views from higher elevations.
Hakodate Morning Market is one of the busiest seafood markets in Hokkaido, with over 200 shops offering king crabs, hairy crabs, squid, and more. You can pick out freshly caught seafood on the spot and taste the freshest flavors from on-site processing.
Hanguan Tropical Botanical Garden
At the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, you can see a wide variety of tropical plants such as exotic cacti, but what attracts tourists the most are the monkeys that come here to bathe in the hot springs every winter and spring.
