Mt. Hakodate

Mt. Hakodate is the only hill within the city of Hakodate, located in the southwestern part with an elevation of 334 meters (1,100 feet). The night view seen from its top is known as the “Million Dollar Night View” and is one of the three most beautiful night views in the world, along with those of Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong and Naples in Italy. The night views mainly include the nightscape and the strait scenery of Hakodate. In the evening, the coastlines on both sides of the mountain resemble the logos of international brands Chanel, so it is also known as the “Chanel Night View.”

Best Place to See the Nightscape - Mt. Hakodate Observatory

The Mt. Hakodate Observatory, situated at the summit of Mount Hakodate, offers the best vantage point for enjoying the night view of Hakodate. Additionally, the second and third floors of the observation deck feature a variety of dining options, allowing visitors to savor delicious food while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

How to Get to Mt. Hakodate Observatory

1. By ropeway

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

You need to walk 160 meters (175 yards) southwest from the West Exit of JR Hakodate Station to Hakodate Asaichi-mae, take bus No. 3 and get off at Ropeway-mae Station, then move on to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station. From there, take the ropeway and you will reach the Mt. Hakodate Observatory in 3 minutes. 

Ropeway Ticket Fare:

Ticket Fare	One-way ticket	Round-trip ticket
Adult	JPY1,200	JPY1,800
Children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet)	JPY600	JPY900
Tickets for groups with 15 or more adults	JPY1,100	JPY1,650
Tickets for groups with 15 or more children	JPY550	JPY850

Note: Children under three years old are free of charge.

Departure time: 
April 20 - September 30: 10:00 - 22:00; 
October 1 - April 19: 10:00 - 21:00. 
The ropeway runs every 30 minutes.

2. By bus

You can take a bus from Hakodate Station directly to Mt. Hakodate Observatory at JPY500 for one way. It takes about 30 minutes.

Note: For safety reasons, buses to the top of the mountain are not available at night and in winter.

3. Hiking

If you have enough energy, you can choose to hike to the top. The trails on Mt. Hakodate are well maintained, and the climb is not difficult. You need to take a bus from Hakodate Station to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station, then follow the signs and walk along the hiking trail. It takes about an hour to reach the top of the mountain.

A hiking trail in Mt. Hakodate

When is the best time to enjoy the night view?

The most beautiful night view can be seen half an hour after sunset. You can check the sunset time on the day of your visit and choose the right time to go up the mountain. However, there are the most tourists at this time. For tourists who like quietness, it is recommended to reach the top of the mountain one hour before the last ropeway, when there are fewer tourists and you can take photos from more angles.

Reference sunset time:

Month	Time	Month	Time
Jan.	16:10	Feb.	16:40
Mar.	17:30	Apr.	18:00
May	18:30	Jun.	19:00
Jul.	19:10	Aug.	19:00
Sep.	18:00	Oct.	17:10
Nov.	16:30	Dec.	16:00

One of the Filming Locations of Detective Conan

Mt. Hakodate is one of the filming locations for the Detective Conan movie The Million-dollar Pentagram, which presents the million-dollar night view to the audience. Conan fans must not miss the opportunity to check out the night view at Mt. Hakodate and see from the perspective of the characters in the movie.

Tips for Visiting Mt. Hakodate

1. The ropeway may be suspended due to weather conditions. It is recommended to check the ropeway operation status on the official website in advance.
2. Around sunset, there are more passengers queuing for the ropeway, and the queues are longer. It is recommended to plan your time reasonably to avoid the peak queue period.

3. It is windy on the top of the mountain, so remember to wear more clothes to keep warm.