Mt. Hakodate Observatory

If you're visiting Hakodate, don't miss this observation deck. Standing 334 m above sea level on the peak of Mt. Hakodate, the observation deck boasts a breathtaking view of the streets of Hakodate at night, stretching out from the Port of Hakodate to the Tsugaru Strait. Not to mention the panoramic view of Mt. Komagatake and Mt. Yokotsu behind the city. Many people come to the observation deck before sunset, so be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance to get the best position for taking photos. As the mountain peak is cold even in the summer, it is best to bring a coat to wear on the deck.
There are several facilities of the ropeway station at the peak, including a tea lounge, restaurant, and gift store.

Access Info
Take the city tram for 5 minutes from Hakodate Ekimae Station and get off at Jujigai, followed by a 10 minute walk. Take the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway for 3 minutes from Mountain Base Station to reach Mountain Top Station, right next to the observation deck.
A shuttle bus runs from the JR Hakodate Ekimae Bus Terminal to the Ropeway Mountain Base Station between April and October. The journey takes 11 minutes.

Admission Fee
Free admission to the observation deck

Getting to the Mountaintop Observation Deck
(1) Ropeway
The ropeway takes up to 125 passengers between Mountain Top Station and Mountain Base Station in about 3 minutes. Carriages run every 5 to 10 minutes. You can enjoy the view below while on the ropeway as well. The ropeway operates from 10:00am to 10:00pm (closes at 9:00pm between October 16 and April 24. Closed for maintenance for about a month starting in mid-October.) Return fare is 1,280 JPY (one-way tickets are 780 JPY.) Mountain Base Station is about 7 minutes by foot from the Jujigai tram stop.

(2) Mt. Hakodate Night View Romantic Course
A tour guide rides with passengers in this tour bus. There are three different options available depending on the time of year: a bus option that uses the bus all the way; a ropeway option; and a combined bus & ropeway option.
A round trip leaving from the JR Hakodate Ekimae Bus Terminal takes about 1 hour 30 minutes (including a 30 minute stop-off at the observation deck.) Prices vary from 1,000 to 1,600 JPY depending on the course.
See this website for details -＞ http://hokuto-hk.jp/course-information-en

(3) Hakodate Mountain Bus
The Hakodate Mountain Bus runs when the mountain road is open (varies between years, but usually between late April and early November.) The journey from the JR Hakodate Ekimae Bus Terminal to the Mountaintop Observation Deck takes about 30 minutes and costs 400 JPY each way.

(4) Taxi
You can reach the Mountaintop Observation Deck by taxi when the mountain road is open (the road is closed in the winter due to snow.) The journey from JR Hakodate Station to the observation deck takes about 20 minutes and costs about 2,500 JPY each way (prices vary slightly depending on time taken and traffic conditions.) You can ask the taxi driver to wait (up to 30 minutes) before taking you back, or use the ropeway or bus to return from the observation deck.

Approximate Sunset Times
The best time for enjoying the night view is about 30 minutes after sunset. Feel free to use these approximate times for planning your visit to the observation deck. * Times are estimated for the first day of each month.
January: approx. 4:10pm
February: approx. 4:50pm
March: approx. 5:30pm
April: approx. 6:00pm
May: approx. 6:30pm
June: approx. 7:00pm
July: approx. 7:10pm
August: approx. 7:00pm
September: approx. 6:10pm
October: approx. 5:10pm
November: approx. 4:30pm
December: approx. 4:00pm