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Make your way up to Mt. Hakodate and enjoy breathtaking views throughout the seasons

City of Hakodate

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido, Hakodate offers a wide range of attractions and sights. Among these, a must see when visiting the city is the spectacular night view, which is considered to be one of the best in the world and is listed as three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Standing at 334m and easily accessible with a three-minute ropeway ride, Mt. Hakodate is the perfect location to admire the breathtaking panorama of Hakodate’s sparkling lights.

The nightscape from Mt. Hakodate is beautiful in every season. In spring and early summer, the weather tends to get foggy, and Hakodate is sometimes covered in a mysterious “sea of clouds,” creating a fantastic sight. During summertime, you can see fishing lights on the sea and fireworks in the night sky. Autumn and winter are the best seasons to enjoy the night scenery from Mt. Hakodate, as the air is clear, and the city lights look even brighter.

Winter, in particular, brings a special beauty to Hakodate’s night view. During the coldest months, the white blanket of snow covering the city reflects the glow of the lights, enhancing the brilliance and the charm of the view. The sight is especially impressive from December to February, when around 50,000 lights decorate the city for the annual Hakodate Illumination.
Make your way up to Mt. Hakodate to enjoy spectacular views and discover the many different faces of the city. Whatever the season, Hakodate’s night view is definitely worth a trip!

How to get there

From Hakodate Airport, take a bus to Hakodate Station (20 minutes), then the streetcar to "Jujigai" stop (5 minutes). Walk to the ropeway base station and take the ropeway to the summit of Mt. Hakodate (3 minutes). 

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
19-7 Motomachi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido

Links

TRAVEL Hakodate

More Information

Hokkaido Prefecture | JNTO Official Website