Mount Hakodate is actually a group of 13 mountains located southwest of central Hakodate, including Gotenyama, the highest peak at 334 meters, and Yatsutsujiyama.

At the summit of Gotenyama, commonly referred to as the top of Mount Hakodate, you'll find the observation deck that offers the city's famous panoramic views. From here, visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of Hakodate by day and one of Japan's most celebrated night views after dark.

There are several ways to reach the summit of Mount Hakodate, including the ropeway, bus, car, and even on foot. However, access restrictions may apply depending on the season and time of day, so it's worth checking in advance before you go.

The most popular and convenient option is the Mount Hakodate Ropeway. Let's start by taking a look at this scenic ride to the top.

The Mount Hakodate Ropeway is the most popular and convenient way to reach the summit.

Round-trip fares are 1,800 yen for adults and 900 yen for children, while one-way fares are 1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children (all prices include tax). The ride from Sanroku Station to the summit observation deck takes just three minutes, and the gondola offers excellent views of the city and surrounding landscape along the way.

The ropeway operates year-round, except for an annual maintenance period of around 10 days in autumn. Since other access methods may be restricted during the colder months, it is also the primary way to reach the summit in winter.

There are three main ways to reach Sanroku Station: by car or taxi, the Hakodate Tram, and by bus.

・Getting to Sanroku Station by car or taxi
Sanroku Station is about 7 minutes by car from JR Hakodate Station and around 30 minutes from Hakodate Airport. If you're driving, there is a free parking lot near the station, making it a convenient option for rental car users. Keep in mind that the lot often fills up in the evening, though paid parking is available nearby.

・Getting to Sanroku Station by Hakodate Tram
From Hakodate Ekimae Station, take a tram bound for either Hakodate Dock-mae or Yachigashira and get off at Jujigai Station (about 6 minutes). From there, it's roughly a 10-minute walk to Sanroku Station. This route is especially recommended if you'd like to explore the historic Motomachi district along the way, home to popular sightseeing spots such as Nijukenzaka and Hachimanzaka.

・Getting to Sanroku Station by bus
A convenient option is the sightseeing loop bus that departs from Hakodate Ekimae approximately every 20 minutes throughout the day (every 40 minutes from November through March). Take the bus bound for the "Motomachi & Bay Area Loop Route" and get off at Ropeway-mae, about 15 minutes from Hakodate Ekimae. From the stop, Sanroku Station is just a short walk away and easy to spot.

One thing to keep in mind is that the sightseeing loop bus does not operate at night. If you're returning after enjoying Mount Hakodate's famous night view, you'll need to use the Hakodate Tram or a taxi instead.

At Sanroku Station, you purchase a ticket on the first floor of the station building and board the ropeway from the third floor.

To enter, hold the boarding ticket with the QR code over the ticket gate. If you purchase a round-trip ticket you will need to use it again when you return from the mountain, so be careful to keep it in a safe place.

Gondolas typically depart every 15 minutes during the day and every 5 minutes in the evening, though schedules may vary by season.

Because Mount Hakodate's night view is one of the city's most popular attractions, long lines often form for the ropeway around sunset and after dark. During peak periods, waiting times can be considerable.

If you'd like to enjoy the ride without the crowds and have a better chance of securing a window spot, consider heading up two to three hours before sunset. This also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the changing scenery as Hakodate transitions from daylight to twilight and, finally, to its famous nighttime panorama.

Steadily the view opens up and the town grows smaller as you head up to the top of the mountain.

In addition to the ropeway there are three other ways of going to the top: by bus, car, or on foot.

In addition to the ropeway, you can also reach the summit of Mount Hakodate by bus, car, or on foot.

・Getting to the summit by bus
Both regular route buses and sightseeing buses operate to Mount Hakodate. The regular route bus runs directly from JR Hakodate Station to the summit, taking about 30 minutes and costing 700 yen one way (tax included), making it a convenient alternative to the ropeway.

Keep in mind that bus services are less frequent during the day, as well as on weekends and public holidays. Travel times can also increase in the evening due to heavy traffic near the summit. In addition, buses do not operate during the winter road closure period, typically from mid-November to mid-April, when the Mount Hakodate Sightseeing Road is closed to vehicles.

Regular sightseeing buses operated by Hokuto Kotsu and Hakodate Bus depart from and arrive at several different locations, such as JR Hakodate Ekimae, hotels in Hakodate City, and Yunokawa Onsen. When the Mt. Hakodate Tourist Road is closed, you will need to transfer to the ropeway at Sanroku Station.

・Getting to the summit by car
If you're planning to drive to the summit, there are a few important restrictions to keep in mind. The Mount Hakodate Sightseeing Road is closed during the winter months, and private vehicles are not permitted during the evening peak viewing period (typically 5 PM to 9 PM, or 4 PM to 9 PM from October). During these hours, only buses and taxis are allowed to access the summit.

This means that even if you drive up earlier in the day, you'll be required to leave the summit parking area once the evening traffic restrictions take effect.

For visitors traveling by private car or rental car who want to enjoy the night view, the most convenient option is to park near Sanroku Station and take the ropeway to the top.

As long as there are no access restrictions, taxis are able to take this tourist road at any time.

However, you cannot get a taxi at the summit, and during the night view time parking is limited to 30 minutes at the summit parking lot. So, either visit and return from the summit in less than 30 minutes or just take a taxi up and then return by either the ropeway or a scheduled bus.

・Walking to the summit
If you are a hiker perhaps you would enjoy walking to the summit. From Sanroku Station to the summit observation deck it takes a little over an hour to walk up the gently sloping path. Going up is not strenuous and you can enjoy views of the nature around you, then after enjoying the night view, you can return by ropeway.

If you are visiting by car or walking, stop by the Tsutsuji Yama Parking Lot just below the summit. The ruins of an old battery of the former Hokkaido Fortress, a designated Hokkaido Heritage Site, are near here.

From the Meiji Period until immediately after the war, Mt. Hakodate was off-limits to the general public because it was a military fortress equipped with batteries designed to protect the Tsugaru Strait. Vestiges of that time still remain in various places on the mountain, and you can see some of them.

Now that we have explained how you can access the summit, we will next introduce three good viewing spots.

Isaribi Park is the best place for enjoying the view of the ropeway coming up the mountain with Hakodate City in the background as well as the Tsugaru Strait and Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture.

Go to the Summit Square beyond the bus stop to enjoy the panoramic view of Hakodate City and Hakodate Bay.

Even when the observation deck is crowded during the night view, this place, along with Isaribi Park, is relatively less crowded and offers a good view.

The third main viewing spot is from the roof of the three-story summit observatory. In addition to being able to access the roof by stairs and elevator inside the building, there are also outdoor stairs you can use from the summit square.

The best time to see the night view is 30 minutes after the sun has set. This is the time when the lights in the city begin to come on, the sky turns to twilight colors - that time just before it turns pitch black.

The best way to enjoy Mount Hakodate's night view is to stand at the observatory as the sun begins to set and watch as day turns into a night with dazzling lights coming on little by little! Those wishing to get good photos may wish to come earlier than sunset so as to secure a good spot before it becomes too crowded.

It is colder at the summit than at the ground below and as there is nothing to block the wind when it blows, the air will feel even colder.

If you plan to be spending some time outside, then it is best to be prepared and bring a warm coat with you. Even in the summer, you may need to wear long sleeves at night and in the winter you will definitely need thermal clothing!

In spring, spectacular cloud formations fill the sky, in summer often the night view is seen through mists. In autumn the air is crisp and clean enabling distant views to also be clearly seen, while in winter the city lights and illuminations sparkle in the snow. No matter what season you come, the view is always spectacular. Whether the view will be beautiful or not depends entirely on the weather.

If the weather should, unfortunately, be too bad to afford a good view, you can always go to the Cremona event hall on the second floor and view videos of the night view.

The video is entitled "Three-Star Hakodate Night View Full Course" that not only introduces the night view of Hakodate but also superb night scenes of other popular spots throughout the city.

Restaurant Genova, located on the second floor of the summit observatory, offers a superb view of Hakodate city. The daytime view is also excellent!

This restaurant serves Western and Japanese dishes made with Hokkaido ingredients.

The Special Lunch Plan allows you to select one item from the menu, such as seafood curry or spaghetti, and is combined with a round-trip ropeway ticket. It is a good bargain and available from when the restaurant opens at 11:30 AM up until 2 PM. You need to purchase the Lunch Plan Ticket at the ropeway ticket sales window in Sanroku Station.

The Hokkaido Beef Stew (3,500 yen including tax) is a popular dinner item.

Although rich in flavor it has a clean aftertaste that makes it easy to eat and is very delicious. It goes really well with wine.

Reservations are available only for dinner courses, which start at 12,000 yen per person (tax included) for parties of two or more. For all other guests, seating availability depends on how busy the restaurant is on the day of your visit.

The busiest times tend to coincide with sunset and the start of the evening illumination. Expect the largest crowds between 5 PM and 7 PM in spring and summer, and between 4 PM and 6 PM in autumn and winter.

If you're not looking for a full meal, the second-floor takeout corner offers a selection of Hokkaido specialties that are perfect for a quick snack while enjoying the view.

Two popular options are ikameshi-bo, a skewer of squid stuffed with seasoned rice, and agenyokki, crispy deep-fried gnocchi. Both are easy to eat on the go and make a tasty addition to your Mount Hakodate visit.

These are perfect snacks to have just before you enjoy the nighttime view.

The Summit Shop on the second floor is a good place to look for souvenirs (hours of operation are the same as those of the ropeway). How about getting a souvenir to remember your trip by?

I recommend selecting items that can only be found here!

Both are mildly spicy yet mellow containing large chunks of delicious lamb which go together perfectly. Hakodate White Lamb Curry is a bit spicier and seems more exotic.

Here are some other cute items you may enjoy.

If you forgot to pick up a souvenir at the summit, don't worry. Sanroku Station also has a gift shop where you can browse a selection of local products and Mount Hakodate-themed souvenirs before heading back into the city.

Mount Hakodate remains Hakodate's most iconic sightseeing destination, attracting visitors from across Japan and around the world. Conveniently located just minutes from the city center, it offers spectacular views at any time of day, but the famous night panorama is what truly sets it apart.

Whether you visit for the scenery, the history, or the sunset, a trip to Mount Hakodate is one of the highlights of any visit to Hakodate and an experience you're unlikely to forget.