Mt. Hakodate Observatory — Attraction in Hakodate

Breathtaking, simply the most incredible view I ever seen in my life. If you have to choose between day or night, don’t. Just visit twice, it’s only 1800 yen per ticket. Especially if you love taking photos, you will definitively enjoy the whole experience even more.

Ropeway takes about 5 minutes ride to the top, then quickly rush on stairs to the observatory just to get the best viewing spot. * I went during low season, late September. During the day, simply easy, not many people at all. Night time, much more difficult! I made a mistake arrival at 5pm to Ropeway station, not early enough. Already tons of people secured the front row at observatory, all the way until night time. Few of them left about an hour later so I got to fully experience front row, middle spot after 6pm. Weather gotten colder with some cold winds, as expected in September * Can’t imagine how crazy crowd it is during Winter season like right now! For me, I prefer less people without seeing snow everywhere.

The view, it’s difficult to describe how beautiful really was in person. A balance of bright sky, mountain, ocean, city, together all in one is just spectacular!

You can pretty much stay at observatory as long as you like, until satisfied. The only difficult part though, night time when you exit. A long, I mean very long line of people waiting for ropeway ride back down. Still, not as bad during September.

If I have a choice to come back again. Yes, I would but it will have to be during day time, clear sky on Winter where I can witness snow all over the city. Yeah, looking forward to be back in...

I had read some reviews before my trip pointing out that the lines to go back were extremely long and that that detail made the experience less joyful. I must say I completely agree with that. First, given the low season, the cable car was not running, so there were only buses running from Hakodate station every ten minutes. This is where the first flaw is found. The buses at the station can only ride people seated, meaning that if you can’t get on the bus, you must wait ten minutes for the next one. Funny enough, that bus stops 5 minutes later in a different place where other people are also lining up, but they can ride it while standing and with no need to wait. In such case, I’d recommend then to get on the bus in front of the Kokusai Hotel, where you wouldn’t have to wait at all. Up in the hill, apart from the view (which is okay, not remarkable in my opinion), there’s nothing else. Just a small souvenir shop and that’s it. So basically, your visit can be reduced to 15 minutes while you take the pictures. But at the same time, you will be stormed to see the line of people waiting to take the bus down. Initially I thought it was going to be eternal, but it ended up being approximately 30 minutes. You can also go down walking, apparently, but being alone in the dark in the Hokkaido woods doesn’t sound like a good idea. To sum up, if you really want to check the view, go ahead but be advised that 80% of your trip you will be waiting for the...

Mount Hakodate Observatory is a must-visit destination in Hokkaido, offering one of the most stunning night views you’ll ever experience. It’s conveniently accessible via public transport, or if you enjoy walking, you can take a scenic stroll from the main JR station.

This spot is a favorite for both tourists and locals, so it’s wise to arrive early to purchase your tickets. Weather conditions can affect the visibility of the view, but the ticket counter features a live stream of the Observatory Deck. This thoughtful feature helps you decide whether to head up immediately or wait until the skies clear—a helpful touch, especially during snowy winters.

Once at the top, the view is breathtaking! Dubbed the "million-dollar night view," the city lights resemble sparkling jewels against the dark sky. We waited nearly an hour for the weather to clear, and it was absolutely worth it.

The observatory can get crowded, so patience is key if you’re hoping to capture the perfect photo. Beyond the view, there’s a well-stocked souvenir shop for keepsakes and a few restaurants where you can grab a bite while soaking in the atmosphere.

Overall, Mount Hakodate Observatory delivers an unforgettable experience that’s truly worth the effort. A shining highlight of any trip...