It actually lived up to it's reputation. Took the cable car up about 7:45, but ended up staying until almost 9, in part for the amazing view, in part to wait for the crowds to clear. I would recommend you go a bit later to miss the tour groups. Great place for a romantic evening. If you are fighting for viewing space, consider checking out the view of the bay while you wait. The boats at anchor are a nice sight and there is really no one trying to get a good space to take a picture.

Was freezing cold and a little crowded with China tourists hogging key spots and refusing to move or allow others opportunity to take photos. Nice views and perspective of the city and surrounding area. Had a gorgeous sunset to capture but decided to leave thereafter before the crowd gets bigger and it will take longer to get down. Infact right after we got down, there was announcement on suspension of ropeway service and long Q of people waiting to get up. Nice experience overall.

It's stunning at the top, however, it is far too crowded in the evening to enjoy. We left before sunset to avoid the lines back down. There should be a cap on the number of individuals permitted at a given time. Between the ropeway and dozens of tour busses, it's not enjoyable or peaceful. The side facing away from the city was beautiful at least.

The quickest and easiest way to get up to a beautiful mountain view if there isn't a lot of people. Before sunset, it can get pretty full. After sunset, the number of people coming down can also get kind of crazy. If you can ride when there are few people, it's a stunning view!

Was such a beautiful view at the top of Mount Hakodate. The ropeway is an efficient way to get up and down for 1800 Yen adults round trip. The ride was smooth and when we took it the frequency was every 15 minutes. They would make announcements often and update regarding the frequency as well. The sight at the top is pretty and would recommend !

The Hakodate Ropeway is a short tram ride to the highest peak around Hakodate. The view of the city is one of the prettiest in all of Japan. Was there in the afternoon and into the evening to get typical tourist photos. If I were going to ding this place, the later afternoon crowds were a bit much with so many tour buses. But the views truly speaks to the popularity.

I visited on a Saturday in July at 6pm. Since it was still daylight, I was able to get on the ropeway without much walking. On this day, the train ran every 10 minutes, and it took about 3 and a half minutes to reach Sancho Station. circle. The official Mt. Hakodate Ropeway website has a live camera of the mountaintop, so we recommend checking in advance to see if you can see the night view. Also, the observation deck gets cold at night, even in summer. I think a jacket is required. I heard that the ropeway on the way back was very step-by-step, so I took the bus back to the city. It stops in front of a famous hotel and costs 500 yen to Hakodate Station. If you choose a seat that focuses on the direction of travel, you can enjoy an even more impressive night view from the train window.

Would suggest visiting at night for a spectacular night view of Hakodate, although might be busy as there are other tour groups, but the queue moves pretty fast. To get to the station you have to walk up a pretty steep slope, so do consider taking a taxi to the ropeway station if you’re with elderly or with people in wheelchairs

Beautiful scenery on the top of the mountain, see Hakodate town with light bulb over. ¥1500 round trip. Quite pack on cabin but worth going to see it. Prepare yourself to get super windy and get warm clothes. Worth visit once you have chance here.

Definitely go after the sun has gone down. Buses are easy to navigate from the bus terminal and it takes you right up to the Ropeway entrance. There is an elevator if the stairs get too much because there are a lot of stairs! The view was totally worth it. When I went there was a lot of snow on the trees and on the ground. I loved the view from the top. One of my highlights from my trip to Hakodate.

Super packed during sunset timing. The workers blocked out a big part of the viewing platform to clear snow. They didnt unblock it when done.

While it is true the views are spectacular when I went on the 24th Nov it was super crowded with tourists that made the experience quite crowded and kinda ruined it abit for me. Very long wait of 40mins to take the rope way up then had to queue about 50mins to go down. And this queue is even in the cold outside for at least half each. If there is a crowd that day I say dont bother going up you wont get to enjoy the sights or take any nice pics unless you shove tour way to the front. Way too crowded.

Truly a must see place in Hakodate! Was easy to get here. I took a bus from Hakodate Station and took a tram on the way back from down the hill. The view is spectacular. I came before sunset as did many others but it was worth the wait and the crowds. This place was very popular with locals just as much as tourists.

The view at the top was great. We visited around sunset time. The ropeway costs 1260 Yen round trip, but if you’re adventurous and want to walk up the mountain there is no entrance fee to the observatory.

Must go place when visiting Hakodate. You should reserve a day to explore the Bay area with shopping, coffee, the Chruch, Shrines and visit the Ropeway around 4pm to reserve best standing to watch sunset & night (very crowded & windy). The view is worth. We had dinner at Genova 2nd floor, 2k Y per pax, food was acceptable but the waiter was super rude - he didn’t allow us to seat the table besides the window without reason while other came later could take a table w/t researvation, the attitude & response were very rude. When I ask why we can’t take the table - he said No, come to your table - that’s all. 5 star for the view, 1 star for Genova restaurant

Should have taken a bus (round #3) instead of a tram. The bus stop is right in front of the lower rope way station. The walk to the rope way from the nearest tram stop isn’t too bad, it’s a bit up hill, but it’s still a waste of time.

Don't be lazy! Take the ropeway up, walk down. Save Y600! The day-time view is great, the easy 40-minute walk down is even better, along a generally wide and well-marked trail.

The Mt.Hakodate view point tends to be very busy during sunset, my best advice is to get there an hour before and hang around the top viewing platform before it gets crowded. Upon arriving the fog was heavy, but as night descended it cleared out and the view of Hakodate was mesmerizing.

Yes, it’s crazy busy at sunset. Yes, the crowds can be annoying, especially on the most upper levels of the observatory clamouring over each other to try and get ‘that picture’. My tip is to just sit back and let the mayhem subside for 30+ mins and you’ll see the crowds dissipate eventually and then you can get in for your shot. Yes, everyone leaves the mountain at the same time, however the queues move not too slow - about a 20min wait 1 hr after sunset. Yes, it was worth it.

This ropeway is quite famous and you can ride this to get to Mount Hakodate Observatory. Although it was pretty crowded during weekend and holiday, the wait was not that long. I recommend to get in here before sunset so that you can settle a good place to observe the city view. It got quite breathtaking views from since before sunset until it got quite dark and you can see the city lights starting to turn on.

Very nice view from above. Just don’t like how crowded the cable car is to the top and back. They make it full and it’s squeezy before sending it on the way. You have to wait 10-15mins for every ride because it takes time for the car to travel. Up on the mountain, there are at least 4 different view points to see Hakodate, so just know that you don’t have to settle for the view behind the glass. Just go up to the 3rd or 4th view point and you can get better photos. The best time to go is the 4pm slot in winter. Or if other seasons, you wanna choose the time that is 45mins before sunset and stay until it gets dark so you get two views in one trip. There’s a lot of people who camp at the viewpoints for the best photos by the way. So don’t carry your hopes too high if you’re planning to get great ones, unless you pay (there’s a spot they cordoned off.) Walking down is the mountain is fast and easy because it’s steep. But it’s fun.

Great observation point for entire city of Hakodate. There is a nice gift shop, restaurants, multiple viewpoints including around the back looking out at ships in the sea. Winter months means a earlier close time, I missed the last night time tram going up which leaves at 850pm and so I came back the next morning. It was pretty chilly, so bundle up!

A must when visiting Hakodate, head up just after 6 ready for sunset. Head straight to the top deck with the best views as security rope it off when it gets close to the time. So many people!! Unforgettable night views but the dusk views aren't bad either. Don't forget your scarf, warm jacket and camera!

Japan my best night view point Hakodate is very best view scenic from the Mount Hakodate. If you visit Hakodate please must visit Don't forget Night view scenic point. I went Nagasaki Night view point also But Hakodate is 1st place for me. Thank you so Mount Hakodate

Hakodate is such a. Wonderful, quiet, ocean town. It’s main highlight is the tram that goes from the base of the mountain to the top. The overlook is spectral especially at night where you can see the twilight and the lit up city below. It’s costs about $14 and you can either take the bus down or the tram. There are restaurants at the top too.

I used to drive in the morning. This time I came by cable car from evening to night. The cable car is expensive at ¥1800 round trip. It would be nice if you could come more casually.

Spectacular night views. In a town that has very little to offer this is one place not to miss. The only real drawback was because the views are so go it seems everyone in town was there on the same night.

Views are unmatched. Large, stable cable car ride up and down. We went at night so seeing the lights of the city was spectacular. It's a huge tourist spot so you're pretty well guaranteed to be jostling with people to get to the front of the rails. But there's tonnes of space to find your own area and gaze.

Inexpensive way to view Hakodate. Small store/restaurant at the top.

Waited for the fog to clear before went up. Get to see the million dollars night scene. Super cold during winter season (visited on 11Dec)

Very nice to visit the mountain. Hope next time the weather is a bit more sweet. 😉

Take a tram from Hakodate station and make a stop at Jūjigai Station. Fare JPY210 (RM7.10) for one way. From that station, take a walk around 600m (10 minutes) to the base station of Mt Hakodate Ropeway. From there, buy a return ticket JPY1500 (RM50.60) for a round trip and then go up to the 2nd floor to ride a cable car. 👉🏻 A 3-minute ride on the Ropeway delivers you to the summit. Mount Hakodate (函館山, Hakodateyama) is a 334 meter high, wooded mountain at the southern end of the peninsula on which much of central Hakodate is located. On clear days and nights, in particular, the views from the mountain are spectacular and included among Japan's three best night views alongside the views from Nagasaki's Mount Inasa and Kobe's Mount Rokko.

Well equipped. Bathrooms, essentials in the shop (I picked up some sunscreen there), expensive, but given the services it makes sense. If you’re an experienced hiker, I recommend doing the ropeway to ropeway through hike. Just be sure to check the websites for the last time the ropeway a run!

The view was so nice, it was crowded when wee got there but it’s worth it even fir a short period of time.

It's nice, at the evening too! Too crowded at night when i was there... I climbed the mountain and went down by bus. The climb took me around 2 hours, i went to the south-west part of the mountain and around the northern red route, going up to the hakodate ropeway. The climb can take about an hour if you go at a normal pace. Also, the view as you climb up the mountain is marvelous!

Expensive round trip and long waits during peak season, but the views are great going both ways of you're lucky to get near a window. Is probably better when it's not crowded!

Aboit 1200 yen round trip for the rope way. Suggest getting there early to avoid crowds for sunset and securing a good pic spot. Go into the restaurant for the view but skip the over priced menu items... beer included. My wife and i found this out when we got totally ignored by staff chose to leave, happier to save the 5000 yen we would gave spent.