The Sapporo Clock Tower has been dishonored with the title of "one of the three most disappointing sights in Japan" because it is smaller than expected when you actually visit it. However, it is by no means a disappointment. The more you know about the clock tower, the more interesting it is.

First of all, it is a well-known story that the clock tower was located in a different place than it is today. When the building was first completed in 1878, it was located slightly north of its current location.

(Photo courtesy of Sapporo Clock Tower)

Moreover, there is nothing at all of the iconic clock as we see it today. It was, after all, a "demonstration hall" built as an auditorium for students attending Sapporo Agricultural College (the predecessor of Hokkaido University) to hold military training, entrance ceremonies, and graduation ceremonies. A stone monument still stands at the original location indicated earlier, with the inscription "Site of Sapporo Agricultural College Demonstration Hall".
The clock tower was added to the demonstration hall in 1881, three years after the building was completed. The pendulum-type tower clock by Howard & Co. of the U.S., which tells the correct time with the clear sound of its bell, is affectionately known as the "Farm School Clock" by the citizens of Sapporo.
In 1903, the Agricultural School moved to the current location of Hokkaido University, and the demonstration hall was taken over by Sapporo City. It was around this time that the clock tower came to be called "Clock Tower," but in fact it was surprisingly recently that the name was officially changed to "Sapporo Clock Tower," in 1998.
Upon entering the clock tower, visitors can learn about the history of the agricultural school and the demonstration hall on the first floor. It is quite interesting as there are many valuable documents and photos from those days on display.
It is fresh in our memories that the building had undergone renovation work including repainting in 2018, but did you know that the paint color had actually been changing more and more until now? In the exhibition, you can learn such a surprising fact.
Going up to the second floor, you will find a space that recreates the period when the building was a demonstration hall. It is a place where you can imagine how the students used to line up on these couches to participate in ceremonies. ......
And, of course, the Sapporo Agricultural College is associated with Dr. Clark! There is a space on the second floor where you can take a photo with Dr. Clark.
Howard's pendulum tower clock is still in operation. Recently, it was confirmed to be the oldest tower clock in operation in Japan.

The clock tower, which has been ticking for more than a century, is a source of pride for the citizens of Sapporo, who have enshrined "We are the citizens of Sapporo, where the clock tower's bell tolls" in their city charter.

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Sapporo Clock Tower

The Sapporo Clock Tower is a fascinating place to visit. Please take a look!


＜Sapporo Clock Tower
Location: Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Phone: 011-231-0838
Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 5:10 p.m. (admission until 5:00 p.m.)
Admission: 200 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger
Official website: http://sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp/