[Seasonal Limited] Hokkaido Hakodate Cherry Blossom Viewing Day Tour｜Goryokaku, Matsumae Castle, Seagull Island (Departure from Hakodate)

[Cape Tachimachi – A great spot to overlook the Tsugaru Strait] Cape Tateshi, located on the south side of Mount Hakodate and protruding into the Tsugaru Strait, was once an important base for monitoring foreign ships. This cliff, about 30 meters above sea level, not only offers a panoramic view of the beautiful coastline of Omorihama, but on a clear day, you can even see the magnificent scenery of the Tsugaru Peninsula and Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture. In addition, every summer and autumn, the fishing lights of squid fishing boats dot the night sea, creating a dreamy scene. Cape Tachimachi combines history, nature and beauty, making it a must-see when visiting Hakodate.

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[Roadside Station Misogi no Sato Kikonai - A rest stop that blends history and nature] "Roadside Station Misogi no Sato Kikonai" located in Kikonai Town in southern Hokkaido is a popular rest stop where you can fully experience the local culture and nature. The name comes from the traditional Kanchu Misogi Festival held every January, where visitors can experience the unique history and customs of the area. The station has a direct sales office selling local fresh agricultural products and specialties, as well as a food court where you can enjoy special delicacies. In particular, the original dishes made with local ingredients from Mugunai are loved by many tourists.

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[Matsumae Castle] Matsumae-cho is located at the northernmost tip of Japan and retains a strong castle town atmosphere from the Edo period, especially in the Matsumae Castle and Teramachi areas. This is one of Japan's famous cherry blossom viewing spots, where the cherry blossoms and the beautiful scenery of the ancient city complement each other. There are about 250 varieties and 10,000 cherry trees planted in Matsumae Park, covering early-blooming, mid-blooming and late-blooming varieties. Visitors can enjoy the blooming of various cherry blossoms throughout the month. Matsumae Park, as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in the southernmost part of Hokkaido, in addition to the beauty of the cherry blossoms themselves, also houses Matsumae Castle, the Edo period residence of the Matsumae domain. This castle is the only existing ancient castle in Hokkaido. Every year from late April to mid-May, the grand "Matsumae Sakura Festival" is held in Matsumae Park. At this time, the castle tower and the cherry blossoms complement each other, making it a beautiful attraction that photography enthusiasts must visit. At night, the scenery of cherry blossoms is even more charming. In addition, there will be exciting folk activities such as song shows and samurai parades during the event.

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[Matsumae Clan Mansion] Matsumae Clan Mansion is a theme park that restores the magnificent domain residence from the Matsumae Domain era. There are 14 Japanese-style buildings in the park, including samurai residences, shops, port magistrates' office, hatago, seafood wholesalers, etc., presenting a complete historical district atmosphere. Through the restoration of details such as dolls, the park allows visitors to travel back to the Edo period and experience the life scenes of that time in an immersive way.

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[Seagull Island] Seagull Island is a beautiful island with a circumference of 2.6 kilometers. It was used as a natural port when Esashi Town was prosperous due to the Kitamae-bune trade. Seen from the air, the shape of the island resembles a seagull spreading its wings, hence the name "Seagull Island". There is a walking trail between the inland coast and the center of the island. Visitors can stroll around the Bottle Rock, the sunset viewing lighthouse, and Senjojiki, an incredible flat land that looks like tatami mats and was formed by erosion of the waves. Here you can see the beautiful sunset that was selected as one of the top 100 sunsets in Japan.

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【Goryokaku Park】 Goryokaku Park is the place where the Boshin War ended, where the former shogunate army led by Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo fought fiercely against the new Meiji government army, and it has been designated as a national special historic site. This Western-style fortress has five protruding bastions forming a beautiful star shape, covers an area of ​​25.2 hectares, and has now been transformed into a park. In spring, about 1,500 cherry trees bloom, making it one of Hokkaido's famous cherry blossom viewing spots. You can take a rowboat on the moat and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms along the shore. At night the park puts on a light show, presenting a fantastic sight. In addition to cherry blossoms, there are azaleas, wisteria trellises and water lilies. There are red leaves in autumn and snow in winter. You can enjoy different natural beauties in each season. The Goryokaku Tower Observatory next to the park offers a panoramic view of the star-shaped Goryokaku, the streets of Hakodate, and the Tsugaru Strait. It is recommended to climb the tower first to overlook the panoramic view, and then start to visit the park and its surroundings, so that you can experience the charm of Goryokaku in a more organized way. Spend a special time in Goryokaku Park, a place where history and nature blend together.

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