The smile-shaped symmetrical coastline — a world-class night view you must see in Hakodate

▲ The symmetrical arc-shaped coastline is the most distinctive feature of Hakodate’s night view. (Photo by reporter Chen Rui-zhong, the same below)

Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Reported from Hakodate

Overlooking Hakodate city from Mount Hakodate, you can see the Oshima Peninsula surrounded by Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Bay. The two perfectly symmetrical arcs are not only beautifully radiant but also highly distinctive. For this reason, Hakodate, along with Hong Kong and Naples, was once celebrated as one of the “Three Great Night Views of the World” and remains the most iconic sight in Hakodate.

▲ Hakodate’s night view is the city’s most iconic attraction, with many people waiting at the foot of the mountain to head up.

To enjoy Hakodate’s night view, you can take a bus or the ropeway up to the observation deck on Mount Hakodate. As a result, every evening sees large crowds gathering at the bus stops, waiting to board. Locals know that the best vantage point is actually from the area where the ropeway descends, so many travelers rush to secure a spot as soon as the gate opens. Indeed, standing in this spot lets you watch the night view of Hakodate gradually emerge during the ascent, adding to the sense of anticipation.

▲ With a little creativity, your photos of Hakodate’s night view can turn out uniquely stunning.

If you don’t get a good spot on the ropeway, don’t worry — after exiting the ropeway station, you can walk through several levels to reach an outdoor observation platform. It’s breezy and cold up there, so be sure to dress warmly. But amidst the chilly air, seeing the dazzling night view of Hakodate will surely stir a deep sense of wonder.

Compared to the three-dimensional night view of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, where buildings tower above one another, Hakodate’s night view is more of a flat, elevated panorama. The symmetrical arcs of the coastline add two natural, smiling curves to the scene, making it truly unforgettable. Although in recent years, the “New Three Great Night Views of the World” have been awarded to Hong Kong, Nagasaki, and Monaco, the brilliant twinkling lights of Hakodate remain a must-see spectacle for any visitor. As some say, “If you haven’t seen the night view, you haven’t really been to Hakodate!”

▲ The ropeway station at Mount Hakodate Observatory.

Mount Hakodate Observatory
Ticket price: 1,280 yen round trip for adults.
Operating hours: April 25 – October 15: 10:00 – 21:50 (last descent at 22:00)
October 16 – April 24: 10:00 – 20:50 (last descent at 21:00)

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