Goryokaku Tower of Hokkaido prefecture is a soaring tower in the middle of Hakadote city. For a small fee, you will be able to get a birds eye view over many of the city's best sights. Among the best is the ability to see Fort Goryokaku in its entirety. Built in a historically western style, so as to maximize cannon efficiency, it played a large role in Japanese history. From the defense of Hakodate in the Edo period to the civil war during the Meiji government's beginning, its historical significance was quite great. Presently, it stands as a beautiful spot for cherry blossom viewing, with over a thousand trees surrounding the fort. And with no better view of the region than from Goryokaku tower, you can see the beautiful star shape of the fort all year round, or even the rare pink star during cherry blossom viewing season.