Mt. Hakodate has a height of 334 meters above sea level and is located in the southwest part of Hakodate City.

While the mountain summit may be reached by Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, it can also be accessed by bus, taxi, and other modes of transportation.

Sanroku Station connects via Mt. Hakodate Ropeway up the steep slope to Jujigai terminal located on the south side of the mountain. As the mountain is steep, the car moves slowly to assure safety.

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway can hold as many as 125 people at a time. There are no chairs on the ropeway so we recommend finding a spot near the windows to enjoy the view of Hakodate city.

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway arrives at the summit in just three minutes. On the way, the Orthodox Christian Church and the Catholic Motomachi Church can be seen below. As the altitude rises, Hakodate Bay also becomes visible.

There is an observatory on the summit of the mountain that has 3 floors with an observation deck and a mountaintop area on the third floor.

Tourists gather one after another at sunset, so be sure you have a spot with a good view. The sunset happens around 7:00 p.m. from June to August and around 4:00 p.m. from December to January.

There is Legato, an indoor tea lounge on the 3rd floor, with Genoa, the observation restaurant, on the 2nd floor. You can have a meal or drink some tea while you enjoy the view.

At sunset, the color of the sky gradually changes from orange to blue. As the night sky grows darker the streets below being to light up. The Mashu circle floating in Hakodate Bay, and the lights from the Goryokaku Tower.

From the coast of the Tsugaru Strait to the east the lights of hotels along the Yu River hot springs, as well as the Hakodate Airport shine brightly.

On the 2nd floor of the Mt. Hakodate Observatory, there are many souvenirs named after the night scenery of Mt. Hakodate. There is even a corner that features items with Hakodate's popular character "Kita Usagi", in a variety of T-shirts and miscellaneous goods.

Shops are also at the foot of the mountain, so souvenirs may be purchased after returning from the mountain as well. You can also find times that offer tax exemptions for overseas customers.

Sancho Shop
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 9:45p.m. (10:00a.m. - 8:45p.m. from October 16 to April 24)
Duty-free hours: 10:00a.m. - 9:00p.m. (10:00a.m. - 8:30p.m. from October 16 to April 24)

If you have time, you can walk from Motomachi, from the foot of Mt. Hakodate for about 5 minutes to reach the Hakodate Christian Orthodox Church. The church lights up and gives a romantic atmosphere quite different from the afternoon.

Price: Free
Time: 10:00a.m. - 10:00p.m. (~9:00p.m. from October 16 to April 24)
Closed: Open daily

Access:
Ropeway: From Hakodate Station it is 5 minutes by tramcar; get off at Jujigai and walk for 10 minutes. From Sanroku station take the 3 minute ride by Hakodate mountain ropeway. It is right next to the Sancho ropeway station.
Price: 1280 yen round trip (780 yen one way)
Time: 10:00a.m. – 10p.m. (~9:00p.m. from October 16 to April 24), last departure 10 minutes before close
Holidays: Open daily (closed for one month from around mid-October for maintenance. Also may close due to adverse weather.)