The fort's star shape was designed based on the 'bastion trace' system to minimize blind spots for artillery fire.
The tower’s height of 107 meters specifically commemorates the year 1907, though the tower was finished later.
The base of the tower is shaped like a star to reflect the geometry of the historical fortress outside.
A bronze statue of Hijikata Toshizō is located inside the tower as a tribute to his role in the Meiji Restoration.
The original 1964 tower was demolished specifically to allow for this taller, more earthquake-resistant construction.
The site includes a 'memo board' space where visitors can leave messages about their travel experiences.
Goryōkaku Tower is a 107-meter-tall observation structure overlooking the star-shaped Goryōkaku Fort, Japan’s first Western-style fortress built in the late Edo period. The current structure was completed in 2006, replacing an earlier, shorter tower on the same site. Its primary observation deck features a glass-floor section that allows visitors to look directly down to the fort grounds. The fort itself served as the final battleground of the Boshin War during the Goryōkaku engagement. Exhibits on the tower's lower levels document the history of the fort and the life of Hijikata Toshizō, a famous Shinsengumi commander. The star layout of the fort remains clearly visible from the top deck, showing the strategic defensive design used during the 19th century. The tower serves as a central hub for viewing the changing seasonal colors of the surrounding park, including cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in autumn.
The glass-floor section on the main observation deck looking directly down at the star-shaped moat layout.
Visit during the cherry blossom season to see the moat's water turned pink by falling petals from the park's 1,600 trees.
Spend time in the atrium lobby before going up, as it contains historical displays often overlooked by hurried tourists.
Check the local weather forecast before visiting, as heavy fog can occasionally obscure the view of the fort.
Do not rush through the lower-level historical exhibits, as they provide essential context for understanding the star-shaped fort below.
