Goro Sky Tower

In short

Goro Sky Tower is a 50-meter-tall observation tower standing at the summit of Mt. Gorogatake (elevation 301 meters), located almost in the center of Maizuru. It was built in 1995 (Heisei 7) as a project commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Maizuru City. The view from here was chosen as number one in the "100 Best Views of Kinki."

• ​360-degree panorama​​: From the observation deck at 325 meters above sea level, you can overlook the rias coastline of Maizuru Bay and the city area, and also watch escort vessels and luxury cruise ships coming and going
• ​Sea of Clouds and the First Sunrise of the Year​​: The location is introduced as a spot where a sea of clouds can be seen from October through February, and as a place to enjoy the first sunrise on New Year's Day
• ​A Break at the Cafe​​: At "GORO SKY CAFE nanako," which is attached to the tower, you can savor "Maizuru Kaiji Curry"

History and Highlights

​Goro Sky Tower​ is a 50-meter-tall observation tower standing at the summit of Mt. Gorogatake (elevation 301 meters), located almost in the center of Maizuru. It was built in 1995 as a project commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Maizuru City.

From the observation deck at an elevation of 325 meters above sea level, you can take in a 360-degree panorama overlooking the rias coastline of Maizuru Bay and the city area of Maizuru. Maizuru Bay is part of Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park. The view from here was chosen as number one in the "100 Best Views of Kinki." The 100 Best Views of Kinki were selected in 1985 through postcard voting organized by the Kinki Regional Postal Bureau of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and "Maizuru Bay from Mt. Gorogatake" garnered the most votes.

Gorogatake Park, where the tower stands, is a nature park spread across the mountain summit at 300 meters above sea level. Walking trails run along the ridge, featuring Nakhodka Square commemorating Maizuru City's sister city of Nakhodka, a children's plaza with large playground equipment and a lawn area, and a maple plaza planted with various types of maple trees.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Harbor Views from the Observation Deck​​: From the observation deck, you can also watch escort vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Maizuru District and luxury cruise ships coming and going.
• ​Sea of Clouds and the First Sunrise of the Year​​: The location is introduced as a spot where a sea of clouds can be seen from October through February, and as a destination to enjoy the first sunrise on New Year's Day. The night view from Goro Sky Tower is also magnificent.
• ​A Break at the Cafe​​: At "GORO SKY CAFE nanako," which is attached to the tower, you can savor "Maizuru Kaiji Curry," popular as a local culinary specialty of Maizuru.

Tips for Exploring

Visiting the mountaintop by car is convenient. It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from JR Nishi-Maizuru Station or Higashi-Maizuru Station, about 20 minutes from the Maizuru-Higashi Interchange on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, and about 30 minutes from the Maizuru-Nishi Interchange, with free parking available. When using local buses, get off at "Gorogatake Koen-guchi," which is about a 10-minute bus ride from the station, and walk up for about 60 minutes from there. From the park's Matsu no Hiroba (Pine Plaza), you can also hike down a trail to Kyoraku Park. About 3.8 kilometers to the east-northeast lies Maizuru Red Brick Park.