Fort Goryokaku

Fort Goryokaku (五稜郭, Goryōkaku) is a historic star-shaped citadel built during the final years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) to defend Hakodate against Western imperialist threats. A few years later, it became the site of a civil war between the shogunate's army and the newly formed Meiji government. After losing its military importance, the fort was transformed into a public park in the 1910s and is now one of the best spots for cherry blossoms in Hokkaido. With over 1,000 cherry trees planted along the moats, the peak bloom season is usually in early May.

At the center of the fort is the Former Magistrate Office, where officers of the shogunate once governed Hokkaido. While the original building was demolished in 1871, part of the structure was meticulously reconstructed and opened to the public in 2010. For a panoramic view of this vast fortress, visitors can head to the Goryokaku Tower, a 107-meter tall observation tower offering stunning views of the fort's unique star shape.