The clock mechanism requires manual winding by hand to ensure its continuous operation.
The building was originally located slightly south of its current position and was moved to its present site in 1906.
The clock was originally powered by weights rather than electricity, a system still used today.
It is the oldest existing building in Sapporo city.
The four faces of the clock are powered by a single central mechanism located in the attic.
The Sapporo Clock Tower is a wooden structure built in 1878 as a military drill hall for the Sapporo Agricultural College. It is officially designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The building features an American-style balloon-frame construction, a design technique uncommon in Japan at the time of its origin. Its mechanical clock, manufactured by the E. Howard & Co. in Boston, has remained operational since its installation in 1881. The interior currently houses a small museum dedicated to the history of the building and the early development of Sapporo. It serves as one of the oldest clock towers in Japan and represents the Western-influenced architectural movement of the Meiji era.
The elevated viewing platform across the street provides the best angle for capturing the entire facade.
Visit the second floor to see the internal workings of the clock mechanism.
Take advantage of the photo opportunity from the street-level viewing deck located directly across from the entrance.
Do not expect a large or expansive facility; it is a small, focused historical building that can be fully explored in under an hour.
Closed on the fourth Monday of every month and during the New Year holidays.
