Goryokaku Tower, Observation tower and museum in Hakodate, Japan.
Goryokaku Tower is a 107-meter steel structure with two observation decks offering views of the star-shaped fort and Hakodate city below. The building stands next to the original fortress, constructed during the 1860s as Japan's first Western-style military fort.
The fort was built in the 1860s as Japan's first Western-style military fortress to protect Hakodate Bay. The current tower opened in 2006 to replace an earlier, smaller structure that had occupied the site.
The tower displays exhibits about Hakodate's development and the fort's role in Japan's past through artifacts and documents. Visitors gain insight into how this site shaped the city and region over time.
Visit during daytime to see the fort layout and city views clearly in good light. Both observation decks and the museum exhibits are generally accessible, with clear pathways and straightforward navigation through the building.
From above, the fortress reveals its perfect five-pointed star shape, something almost impossible to see from ground level. This geometric design was chosen intentionally to create strong defensive corners.
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