A time slip from the Meiji to the Showa era! The history and highlights of Sapporo Clock Tower. Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

A time slip from the Meiji to the Showa era! The history and highlights of the Sapporo Clock Tower.

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: Last updated: September 11, 2018

Table of contents

1. Learn about the history of the clock tower.

　1-1 The official name of the clock tower

　1-2 The process leading up to its designation as a National Important Cultural Property

2. Let's go inside the clock tower.

　2-1 1st Floor, Large Exhibition Room (History of the Agricultural School and Clock Tower)

　2-2 2nd Floor Hall (Agricultural School Martial Arts Training Hall)

3. Japan's oldest tower clock, which has been keeping time for over 138 years.

4. The clock tower that is carefully preserved

5. Photo spots you should know about

6. Access to the Clock Tower

Final thoughts

The Sapporo Clock Tower is a symbol of the city of Sapporo and a popular tourist attraction as the oldest existing clock tower in Japan.

It has become such a staple spot that people say, "If you go to Sapporo, you have to go here!", and it is loved by many tourists and locals alike.

By the way, have you ever been inside a clock tower?

Up until now, I've been satisfied with just snapping a picture of the exterior with my camera,
This was my first time going inside for an interview. I was surprised by how much larger and more impressive it was than I expected!

This time, we'll introduce the history of the clock tower and what it looks like inside!

Table of Contents:
1. Learn about the history of the clock tower.
2. Let's go inside the clock tower.
3. Japan's oldest tower clock, which has been keeping time for over 138 years.
4. The clock tower that is carefully preserved
5. Photo spots you should know about
6. Access to the Clock Tower
Final thoughts

1. Learn about the history of the clock tower.

1-1 The official name of the clock tower

Do you know the official name of the clock tower?

Its official name is "Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall".

The Sapporo Agricultural College, the predecessor of the current Hokkaido University, was conceived by the first headmaster, Dr. Clark, and the second headmaster, Wheeler, created the floor plan. It was built in October 1878 under the design and supervision of Yoshiyuki Adachi, the chief architectural engineer of the Hokkaido Development Commission, and others.

(*Demonstration Hall: A building that combines the functions of a specimen room, lecture hall, indoor gymnasium, and various event venues.)

Initially, there was no clock, but it was decided to add one at the direction of Kiyotaka Kuroda, the head of the Hokkaido Development Commission. In 1881 (Meiji 14), a new clock tower was added and a clock mechanism was installed.

1-2 The process leading up to its designation as a National Important Cultural Property

[From 1903 to the late 1930s]: Used as an office for an educational organization, an affiliated library, and a venue for cultural activities.

[From 1943 to 1948, encompassing World War II]: Used as a military facility and offices for various civilian organizations.

[From 1950 to 1966]: Used as a municipal library.

[1967]: Restoration work was carried out in conjunction with the relocation of the library.

[1970]: Designated as a National Important Cultural Property. (The clock mechanism was also designated at the same time).

2. Let's go inside the clock tower.

Now, let's go inside the building. You are welcome to take photos of both the exterior and the interior.

2-1 1st Floor, Large Exhibition Room (History of the Agricultural School and Clock Tower)

Sapporo Agricultural College was modeled after Massachusetts Agricultural College, where Dr. Clark served as president.

At the time, the first floor was used as lecture halls, research laboratories, and exhibition rooms for mineral and plant/animal specimens, and was sometimes used as a public auditorium by external organizations.

Currently, the large exhibition hall on the first floor displays items such as "A panoramic model of Sapporo Agricultural College," "An overview of the Clock Tower," "Profiles of Sapporo Agricultural College graduates," "The relationship between citizens and the Clock Tower," and "Works of the Clock Tower expressed in literature and song."

[The Clock Tower Episode]

During the Meiji era, Sapporo was struck by numerous major fires.
During a major fire in 1892, students from the agricultural school reportedly climbed onto the roof of the martial arts training hall to protect the building from falling sparks.

In the late Meiji period, the clock tower's roof was remodeled from a traditional shingle roof to a sheet metal roof as an improvement to protect the tower from fire.

[Record of clock tower repairs]

This video showcases the preservation and repair work carried out between 1995 and 1998.
Furthermore, the museum's exhibits are available to read and listen to in multiple languages! The museum also supports the Uni-Voice smartphone app.

The app will read the code aloud once scanned, so please feel free to use it.

2-2 2nd Floor Hall (Agricultural School Martial Arts Training Hall)

Let's go up to the second floor.

During the Meiji era, the second floor of the training hall was used for physical education classes and military training, as well as an auditorium for school events.

Currently, the spacious area of the training hall is used as an exhibition space showcasing the history of the clock tower and other related topics, attracting many visitors.

You can sit in the chairs freely, so some people apparently come here to relax and recover from their travel fatigue.

At night, the second-floor hall (demonstration hall) is available for rent for various events such as concerts, lectures, and weddings.
It's a wooden building with high ceilings, and it's said to have a great acoustics and a pleasant atmosphere.

[A sister model to the actual tower clock]

Since the tower clock itself cannot be seen, clock number 3867 is on display on the second floor and is kept running.

Although it doesn't have a bell-striking mechanism, it's a clock mechanism made by the American E. Howard Company, the same type used in actual clock towers.
Seeing it in person is incredibly impressive.

The second-floor hall also features exhibits such as "An Overview of Existing Mechanical Tower Clocks in Japan," "How to Operate Tower Clock Mechanisms," and "Explanations of Clock Tower Construction Methods."

3. Japan's oldest tower clock, which has been keeping time for over 138 years.

[ How a tower clock works]

The clock mechanism in the clock tower is a pendulum clock, similar to a cuckoo clock. Powered by weights, it is the oldest tower clock in Japan, still functioning accurately in its original form.

The clock movement was manufactured by Howard & Co. in Boston, USA. It bears the serial number 738.

Designated as a "Mechanical Heritage" in 2009. The weights consist of pebbles packed into a wooden box, with approximately 50 kg for needle movement and approximately 150 kg for striking the bell.

The weights are still reeled in by hand about twice a week.

The clock tower is approximately 19 meters tall and has five floors inside. The clock face is located on the fifth floor, and a 226 kg bell is suspended inside.

The clock mechanism is on the fourth floor, and the pendulum swings on the third floor.

In August of Meiji 14 (1881), the clock mechanism began operation and started telling time.

It is said that the sound of the bell once resonated for an area of one ri (approximately 4 km) in all directions, and in 1888 it was officially designated as the standard clock for Sapporo.

Even now, more than 138 years after its installation, it continues to keep accurate time.

4. The clock tower that is carefully preserved

The tools used to protect the clock mechanisms of Howard & Co., a company with a history dating back to 1881, are surprisingly common, with the exception of the oil.

Apparently, the most important thing in maintenance work is communicating with the clock mechanism.

The reason clocks continue to keep accurate time even today is solely because there are people who carefully protect and maintain them.
It is said that there are very few examples in the world of a tower clock that continues to operate in the same condition as it did back then.

Listening to the messages from the clock mechanism—the sounds, smells, and movements—is the "skill" required to protect the clock mechanism, and daily inspections and maintenance involving "seeing," "listening," "smelling," and "touching" are carried out meticulously.

The bell rings every hour, the number of times corresponding to the hour.
Being inside the building gives you a sense of the passage of time, making you feel as if you've traveled back in time.

5. Photo spots you should know about

When walking around Sapporo, you'll see many people standing on the platform to the right of the front of the Clock Tower, taking pictures.
This has become a popular photo spot.

The "Clock Tower Photo Plaza," a terrace on the second floor of the MN Building across from the clock tower, is also a popular photo spot.
You can take a photo of the entire clock tower.

You can also enjoy the illuminations from evening until 9:30 PM.

6. Access to the Clock Tower

◯ Transportation
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from the South Exit of JR Sapporo Station
Get off at Odori Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line, Tozai Line, or Toho Line.
5-minute walk from the exit on the city hall side.

<Sapporo Clock Tower>

HP)http://sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp
Address: Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
TEL：011-231-0838
Opening hours: 8:45 AM to 5:10 PM (Last entry at 5:00 PM)
Admission fee: 200 yen for adults (free for high school students and younger)
Closed on: New Year's Day (January 1st to January 3rd)

Final thoughts

We've shared the history and attractions of the Sapporo Clock Tower.

What did you think.
Stepping inside the clock tower allows you to experience firsthand the history that you wouldn't understand just by looking at it from the outside.

Please do come and listen to the sound of the bells!