Mount Hakodate

Mount Hakodate rises 334 meters at the tip of Hakodate's peninsula, and the view from the top ranks alongside Nagasaki and Kobe for night views in Japan. The city's narrow hourglass shape, pinched between Hakodate Bay and the Tsugaru Strait, creates an unforgettable panorama. Dusk is the best time to arrive, about 30 minutes after sunset, when city lights begin to appear against the fading sky. The summit is accessible by ropeway in 3 minutes, or by hiking trail in about an hour. In summer, fishing boat lights dot the sea. Winter snow adds extra sparkle during the December-February illumination season.