Hi there!
Now, unless you’re into streetcars and history, this isn’t something that you’d really go out of your way to see.
It’s one of those things that you see if you happen to be passing by, you read the history, and you say, “oh that’s cool” because you’re in the very place that you can see some heritage of Hakodate!
According to the city of Hakodate…
This switch tower is said to be the “oldest streetcar switch tower remaining in Japan”
This mushroom-shaped structure is called the Switch Tower and was built in 1939 for changing traffic signals for streetcars at the intersection and for shifting tracks, both done by means of manual remote control.
This is said to be the oldest streetcar switch tower remaining in Japan.
The tower measures 5.4m high and the control room is 1.9m in diameter
There were 6 towers of this type in 1969 in Hakodate.
However, the automation of facilities gradually reduced the number.
By June 1995, this was the only one left in use who streetcar signal control remained.
It stood on the other side of the intersection, across the street, but was moved to its present site in September 1995 because of road improvement and for preservation of its original form.
How to get to the switch tower: Jujigai station
This switch tower is located right near the Jujigai tram stop.
So fittingly, you can get to this streetcar switch tower by Hakodate streetcar!
Here’s more on how to take the Hakodate tram.
So if you do want to see this historical monument of sorts, just get to the nearest tram station, and get off at Jujigai!
Once you get off at the Jujigai stop, look around, and you’ll likely see it pretty quickly.
Places to stay near Jujigai station
Because of the ease of getting to the Jujigai tram station from the JR Hakodate train station, you may also consider staying near Jujigai Station.
Staying near a tram stop when in Hakodate can be convenient, as the tram line can get you to a bunch of tourist attractions in Hakodate.
I stayed at a hostel near Jujigai Station that was a 5 minute walk from the tram stop. (Which is also how I discovered this switch tower!)
HAPPY SWITCH TOWER VISIT IN HAKODATE!