There’s no better place for a view of Hakodate’s spit, jutting out into the sea, than from the top of the Hakodate Ropeway. Japan’s most popular gondola, ferrying more than 1,000,000 passengers annually to the top of Mount Hakodate, is popular for good reason. At night the glittering lights of the city fading down below offer a bewitching contrast with the still darkness of the nearby ocean. Stay strategically near some of the large windows of the gondola to watch as people, cars and buildings slowly appear smaller and smaller as you near the peak.
Plan to arrive at the ropeway at a time when it is not very busy. Come early to see the city waking up or brave the crowds to get the famous evening views of the lit-up city that the gondola is so known for. Squeeze into the carriages, imported from Austria, and feel the shudder as the heavy car gets lifted into the air. Look out to sea where fishing boats bob on the water.
At the top, appreciate the panoramic views from the observation decks. On a clear day, look out miles over the open ocean and deep into Hakodate’s countryside. Have tea and a snack in the on-site restaurant and café, whose big windows allow you to appreciate the view. Descend on the gondola or traipse down the mountainside to admire the feat of engineering from the outside.
The loading area for the Hakodate Ropeway is in the Motomachi district, a 10-minute walk from the nearest tram stop. Ride the tram from Hakodate station in 5 minutes or take a bus directly to the ropeway in 10 minutes. Parking can be extremely hard to find in the area, so use public transportation or a taxi.
The ropeway operates year round, with gondolas leaving every 10 to 15 minutes from midmorning to late at night. Hours are slightly shorter during the winter. The ropeway can get extremely crowded, especially in the hour surrounding sunset, when the best views are reported. One-way and round-trip tickets are available.
