AugustHakodate Port Festival
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)
Winter Scenery · Hokkaido
Goryokaku Park & Goryokaku Tower in Winter
HakodateCastle❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
When snow falls on Goryokaku, the star-shaped fort, the outline of its moat and earthworks stands out sharply. The white star seen from the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower is a view unique to winter, and at night illumination turns the moat into a star of light.
- Address
- Goryokaku Park, 44 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001
- Official website
- https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/
Peak Time
When to Go
Best seasonJanuary to February (when snow falls in Hakodate)
December
January
February
Hakodate gets relatively little snow for Hokkaido, and the amount varies from year to year
Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.
Highlights
Highlights
From the tall Goryokaku Tower you can take in the whole star-shaped fort with its five projecting bastions. On winter nights, the Goryosei no Yume illumination outlines the roughly 1.8 km moat with about 2,000 light bulbs, and the atmosphere changes greatly depending on the snow and the weather.
📷 Best views
Goryokaku Tower observation deck
Look down on the snow-covered star-shaped fort from almost directly above
Along the moat in Goryokaku Park
A walk along the snowy earthworks and moat. The outer loop takes about 30–40 min on foot
Illumination
Illumination & winter lights
- Period
- Usually December to late February (Goryosei no Yume; December 1 – February 28 in 2025–26)
In 2025–26, lit from sunset to 19:00. The star of light can be seen from the observation deck
Hours
Opening hours
Goryokaku Park (November–March)5:00–18:00
Goryokaku Tower9:00–18:00
Observation tickets sold until 17:50
In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission & fares
Goryokaku Tower observation deckAdults ¥1,200, junior high and high school students ¥900, elementary school students ¥600
Walking in the park is free
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓From the observation deck you can see the whole star shape of the illumination. Go up after sunset and before the tower closes
- ✓Paths in the park are slippery with snow and ice, so take care
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Goryokaku-Koen-mae (Hakodate City Tram)About 10 min on foot to Goryokaku Tower
- From major stations & airports
- Hakodate Station: Hakodate City Tram
- Hakodate Airport: Hakodate Bus (toward Goryokaku)
- Driving & winter roads
- Goryokaku Tower has no dedicated parking; use paid parking lots nearby
Weather
Temperature & staying warm
- Typical temperatures
- January normals for Hakodate: high 0.9°C, low -6.0°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
- What to wear & bring
- Warm clothing you can layer and waterproof winter boots. Viewing the illumination at night is especially cold, so bring a hat and gloves too
Facilities
Facilities
- Payment
- Goryokaku Tower accepts cash, credit cards, e-money, transit IC cards and QR code payments
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Goryokaku Park & Goryokaku Tower in WinterPR
PR8.6スマイルホテルプレミアム 函館五稜郭
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,004 reviews0.7 km from center
PR8.6ホテル 法華クラブ函館
★★★★Check rates on Agoda2,315 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.6ホテル マイステイズ 函館五稜郭
★★★Check rates on Agoda2,206 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.2ルートイングランティア函館五稜郭
★★★Check rates on Agoda1,182 reviews0.6 km from center
PR8.7HAKODATE 海峡の風
★★★★Check rates on Agoda292 reviews3.0 km from center
PR8.4ホテルＢＲＳ（ブルス）函館 五稜郭タワー前
Check rates on Agoda266 reviews0.4 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Hakodate
August
DecemberHakodate Christmas Fantasy
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25
2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Hokkaido
Old town
Rime iceHoshino Resorts Tomamu Frost Tree Terrace
Hokkaido ・ Tomamu, Shimukappu
❄ Best season: Early Dec – Early Apr
LakeShirogane Blue Pond & Shirahige Falls (Winter Illumination)
Hokkaido ・ Shirogane, Biei
❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Late Mar
✦ IlluminationNow on
Old townHachimanzaka Slope in Winter (Motomachi, Hakodate)
Hokkaido ・ Hakodate
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
Park & natureTsurui Red-crowned Cranes (Tsurumidai & Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary)
Hokkaido ・ Tsurui
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb
LakeFrozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter)
Hokkaido ・ Akan-cho, Kushiro
❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Mar
Drift ice & frozen lake
Hot spring townJozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro
Hokkaido ・ Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Feb
✦ Illumination
Drift ice & frozen lakeAbashiri Drift Ice & Aurora Icebreaker
Hokkaido ・ Abashiri & Shiretoko
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Mar
Drift ice & frozen lake
Lake
Drift ice & frozen lakeNotsuke Peninsula Frozen Sea (Hyoheisen)
Hokkaido ・ Notsuke Peninsula, Betsukai
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Mid Mar
Drift ice & frozen lakeSeasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06