Goryokaku Park Cherry Blossoms

Hakodate, Hokkaido, boasts two must-see sights at least once in a lifetime. The first is the million-dollar night view from Mount Hakodate, and the second is undoubtedly Goryokaku. As the cherry blossoms in Hokkaido bloom the latest in all of Japan, visiting Hakodate from late April to mid-May allows one to enjoy the most representative cherry blossom viewing spot in Hokkaido and the million-dollar night view in one trip. Goryokaku, a source of pride for the people of Hakodate, is a fortress built in 1864 in the shape of a five-pointed star. It was constructed under the orders of the Edo shogunate and is the largest European-style fort in Japan. It was the site of the famous Battle of Hakodate, the last battle between the former shogunate army and the new Meiji government forces. Due to its historical value and uniqueness, it is now listed as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles and has been designated as a Special Historic Site and a Hokkaido Heritage, attesting to its significance. Goryokaku Park evolved from a fortress and the Imperial Japanese Army's training grounds into the park it is today. With about 1,600 cherry trees planted within, the blossoming cherry trees spread along the moat and inside the fortress, densely filling the star-shaped fort and presenting a captivating scene of a cherry blossom star fortress. The design of Goryokaku, originally intended to confuse invaders, offers a unique cherry blossom viewing experience akin to being in a cherry blossom maze, making it worth a special visit. Goryokaku Park Address: 44 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido