Goryokaku Tower
Events/Topics
You can purchase Goryokaku Tower advance tickets at nearby convenience stores at a time that suits you. By purchasing in advance, you can proceed directly to the elevator entrance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visit. We highly recommend using this service ✨️
April 15, 2026 (Wed) – July 26, 2026 (Sun)
Autographed shikishi from Golden Kamuy creator Satoru Noda and voice actors Chikahiro Kobayashi (Saichi Sugimoto) and Haruka Shiraishi (Asirpa) are on display for a limited time at the observation shop on the 1st floor of the observatory.
© Satoru Noda / Shueisha
July 1 (Wed) – July 7 (Tue), 2026
Celebrate Tanabata at Goryokaku Tower! 🎋
Enjoy exhibition panels introducing the origins of Tanabata and Hakodate's unique traditions, as well as a Wish Tree Corner and other seasonal activities. Feel free to join us during your visit! ✨
Coin Lockers Have Been Renewed ✨️
Store your belongings and enjoy sightseeing at the observation deck or a stroll around Goryokaku Park with ease.
All lockers are equipped with a service door (small access window), allowing easy access to small items. In addition to cash, cashless payment options are also available.
May 23 (Sat) – August 21 (Fri), 2026
Summer Exhibition “Scenes of Kappa Playing by the Water II”
The permanent exhibition space, the Goryokaku Tower Collection “Soetsu Ueki Gallery”, featuring works by Hakodate-born painter Soetsu Ueki, known for his unique kappa-themed paintings, is now open to the public.
May 19, 2026 (Tue) – November 15, 2026 (Sun) (scheduled)
Goryokaku Tower will carry out a full exterior repainting of the tower structure, as well as repair work on the neck section directly beneath the observatory.
*The tower will remain open and operate as usual during the construction period.*
* Surveys and site inspections will be conducted in June and July, and actual construction work is scheduled to begin in early August.
![Today’s Goryokaku Wisteria Trellis [Past Peak Bloom] (Updated May 31)](https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSC_7799a-536x356.jpg)
The blooming conditions of the wisteria trellis and azaleas at the Special Historic Site Goryokaku (Goryokaku Park) are introduced daily along with photos taken that day.
May 16 (Sat) & 17 (Sun), 2026 – A 2-day event!
A special stage will be set up inside Goryokaku Park, featuring the long-awaited return of the “Hijikata Toshizo Contest.” After its final edition in 2024, the contest is back by popular demand. Enjoy a wide range of performances, including sword-fighting theater, brass band concerts, and thrilling demonstrations using real swords.
Note: This link will take you to an external website.
May 11, 2026 (Mon) 17:00–17:30
AnTime: memorial service for those who lost their lives in the Hakodate War, the final battle of the Boshin War, is held prior to the Hakodate Goryokaku Festival.
🌸](https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSC_5229a-536x356.jpg)
Along with the forecast dates for cherry blossom blooming and full bloom at Goryokaku, we introduce the changing stages of the cherry blossoms, from buds to blooming, full bloom, and finally the green leaf stage, on our website and Facebook.
May 3, 2026 (Sun, Holiday) – May 6, 2026 (Wed, Substitute Holiday) From sunset to 22:00 (until 21:00 on May 6 only)
【Notice of Special Illumination Cancellation】
The special illumination of Goryokaku Tower scheduled for today has been canceled due to strong winds, with safety as our top priority.
April 21 (Tue) – April 24 (Fri), 2026 | Sunset – 22:00
Goryokaku Tower, which is usually illuminated only in white, will be specially lit up in red to coincide with the Hakodate hosting of the international conference “RubyKaigi 2026,” organized by the Ruby Association of Japan.
April 14 (Tue) – April 15 (Wed), 2026
At Goryokaku Tower, window cleaning of the observatory glass (a total of 315 panes) at heights of 90 meters and 86 meters above ground will be carried out over a two-day period.
March 28, 2026 (Sat) 20:30–21:30
In support of Earth Hour 2026, organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the tower illumination of Goryokaku Tower will be turned off for one hour during this time.
March 9 (Mon) – 10 (Tue), 2026
In conjunction with World Glaucoma Week 2026, Goryokaku Tower will be illuminated in green as part of the glaucoma awareness campaign “Light Up in Green.”
December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026
The atrium located on the first level of the Goryokaku Tower is decorated with illumination lights to create a magical atmosphere suitable for the Hoshi no Yume Festival.
December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026
Hoshi no Yume Illumination is an event where the moat around Goryokaku is illuminated with nearly 2,000 lights to create a star-shaped illumination. Goryokaku is lit daily during the period.
*Please note that due to renovation work on the Goryokaku Rear Gate Bridge this year, the illumination will be moved to the outside of the moat.
*Please note that the Goryokaku Tower closed at 6 p.m.
We respectfully extend our New Year’s greetings.
We sincerely ask for your continued support and patronage in the year ahead.
New Year’s Day, 2026
Goryokaku Tower Corporation
We would like to inform you of the year-end and New Year business hours of the in-house tenants.
Please note that business hours may differ from regular hours during this period.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.
Jan. 1, 2026 (Thu.) from 6:30 a.m.
On New Year’s Day, Goryokaku Tower will open early from 6:30 a.m. to coincide with the time of the first sunrise of the year.
Please enjoy the beautiful first sunrise of the New Year from the observation deck.
Please note: From Friday, January 2, we will resume normal business hours (from 9:00 a.m.).
December 26, 2025 (Fri) 11:00–
We will hold the “Winter Traffic Safety Prayer Ceremony” to pray for traffic safety during the busy year-end and New Year period and throughout the winter season.
November 29 (Fri) – December 25 (Thu), 2025
Santa Claus will once again appear on the neck section of Goryokaku Tower!
Don’t miss the sight of Santa as he looks like he’s climbing the tower 🎅
July 1 to July 7, 2025
July 7th is the day of the Tanabata Festival.
It is customary to hang colorful pieces of paper written with wishes and decorations on bamboo branches (called tanzaku) to wish upon the stars.
Goryokaku Tower will revise its observation observation fees as follows from April 1, 2025.
![Today’s Wisteria trellis in Goryokaku [Finished blooming] (Updated June 8,2025)](https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6292681b56d2854d5d5f223c97fbc093-536x356.jpg)
Introducing the state of Wisteria trellis and Azaleas in Goryokaku with photos of the day.
Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, May 18, 2025.
This festival is held in order to spread the knowledge and history of Goryokaku, the stage of the Boshin War (1868-1869).
May 11, 2025. 17:00-17:30
A memorial service is held annually to recognize the war dead of the Battle of Hakodate, known as the last battle of the Boshin War.
![Today’s cherry blossoms at Goryokaku [Fallen] (Updated May 10, 2025)🌸](https://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC_6689b-536x356.jpg)
Our Facebook page shows the state of cherry blossoms at Goryokaku from budding, flowering, and full bloom to cherry trees with green leaves.
April 26 to May 5, 2025 9:00～17:00
Come watch our nearly 12-meter-long koi-nobori windsocks swimming pleasantly in the sky about 70 meters from the ground.🎏
*Please note that the event is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions, such as heavy rain and strong winds and windless.
*Please note that events are subject to change or cancellation.
© Goryokaku Tower Corporation. All the images, text, and data shown on this website may not be reproduced or transferred without permission. *All the images shown are for illustration purpose only.
