The night view
A city between two seas.
Perry Li — CC BY-SA 2.0 · くろふね — CC BY 4.0 · toward — CC BY 3.0 · Unknown — Public domain · 掬茶 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · J o — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 掬茶 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Iso10970 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A dormant volcano in the city of Hakodate, famous for its view over the city and bay, above all at night. The Michelin Green Guide Japan gave the view three stars, ranking it alongside the views of Naples and Hong Kong. The mountain was once an island; around 3,000 years ago a sandbar joined it to the mainland, and the city was built on that sandbar. So from the top you see the city pinched between two seas, which is what makes its night view so distinctive. Visitors ride the ropeway from a station near Motomachi or take a bus, and in the warmer months can hike up. The summit gets very crowded at sunset, so arrive half an hour before; just after sunset the view combines blue sky and city lights. A return ropeway ticket is about 1,800 yen, per visitor guides; it may stop in strong wind or for maintenance, and in winter you will need warm clothes at the top.
A city between two seas.
To the summit.
Blue sky and lights.
Motomachi, Hakodate (ropeway station)
Motomachi and the Hachiman-zaka slopeA district on the slopes of Mount Hakodate where foreigners settled early after 5 minutes walk4.3
Kanemori Red Brick WarehousesA group of historic red-brick warehouses on Hakodate's harbour, tracing back to 8 minutes walk4.1
Hakodate Morning MarketA market for seafood and local produce beside Hakodate Station. It began in 194520 minutes walk4.0Just after sunset, when blue sky meets the city lights; arrive half an hour before sunset, as the summit gets crowded.