Fort Goryokaku

Fort Goryokaku is a large, star shaped, Western style citadel, which was built in the last years of the Edo Period, in order to defend Hakodate against the imperialist threat posed by the Western powers.

  

A few years later, the fort became the site of a civil war between an army of the shogunate and the superior troops of the newly established Meiji government.

After the fort had lost its military importance, it was open to the public as a park. Over a thousand cherry trees were planted along its moats, making it one of Hokkaido's must-see cherry blossom spots. The peak of the blooming season usually takes place around early May.

If you wish to take a look at a bird's view of the huge fortress, visit the observation deck of the nearby Goryokaku Tower, which is 107m tall.