3-Hour Hakodate Goryokaku Walking Tour with Samurai History

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Goryokaku, Hakodate's famous star-shaped historical fort
• 02 See the rebuilt Magistrate's Office and the fort's earthwork and moat
• 03 Learn about Goryokaku's role in the samurai era and the Boshin War
• 04 Stroll through Goryokaku Park among pine trees and cherry trees

Explore Goryokaku Park and the former Goryokaku Fort on a private walking tour in Hakodate. Starting at Goryokaku Tower, this experience introduces one of Japan's most important historical forts, known for its role in the samurai era, the Meiji Restoration, and the Boshin War. Along the way, see the earthwork, moat, rebuilt Magistrate's Office, and seasonal trees, including pine and cherry trees. The tour also offers insight into the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate and how the former fort later became a beloved public park.

Explore Goryokaku Park and the former Goryokaku Fort on a private walking tour in Hakodate.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Hakodate

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Explore Goryokaku Fort and Park

• Meet your tour guide and start the tour at Goryokaku Tower. From there, head to Goryokaku Park, the site of the former Goryokaku Fort.
• See the earthwork, the moat, and the rebuilt Magistrate's Office, as well as the trees, including pine trees and cherry trees. The fort had two important historical roles. First, the Magistrate's Office was established by the samurai government to keep peace in Hakodate, develop Hokkaido, and deal with foreign affairs. Later, after the Meiji Restoration, it was occupied by those loyal to the last shogun, making Hakodate the last battlefield of the Boshin War.
• Your guide will share more with those interested in the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate. At the beginning of the 20th century, the former fort was opened to the public as a park. After cherry trees were planted, the people of Hakodate came to enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms there in spring.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• English-speaking Hakodate tour guide

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses
• Public transport expenses
• Tips for the guide
• Entrance tickets, if any

Know before you go

• It costs 500 yen to enter the Magistrate's Office at Goryokaku Fort.
• It costs 240 yen for the bus to Goryokaku Fort.
• If travelers do not have a JR Pass, they will need to pay their own transportation expenses.
• The traveler would need to pay for the guide's lunch and transportation as well.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

In front of the JR Station

Tour start

Japan, 〒040-0001 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Goryōkakuchō, 44−２ 土蔵

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.