Sapporo Clock Tower

The Sapporo Clock Tower, A Small White Wooden Building From 1878 With A Clock That Has Told The Time Since 1881, Once A Drill Hall Of The Sapporo Agricultural College And A Symbol Of The City. Famously Smaller Than Visitors Expect, With A Small Museum Inside. · Sapporo, Hokkaido

The Sapporo Clock Tower is a small white wooden building with a clock tower, set among office blocks in central Sapporo. It was completed in 1878 as the drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College - confirm - and the clock has chimed the hours since about 1881 - confirm. It is an important cultural property - confirm - and a symbol of the city. A small museum inside the old hall shows the building's history and the college days, for a small fee. The building has a reputation as one of the most disappointing sights in Japan, a joke often repeated; the plain version is that visitors often find it smaller than expected, wedged between modern towers. That is fair, but the history is real and the visit is short. It suits history-minded travellers, photographers and anyone passing between Sapporo Station and Odori. It is open daily - confirm. Allow 30 to 45 minutes, and skip the museum if time is tight. Odori Park is next door.

2-chome Kita 1-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, a short walk from Sapporo Station or Odori Station, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

The hall is usually open daily, commonly from about 8:45 to 17:10, with the last entry shortly before closing - confirm. Some years it closes on certain days or for short periods of maintenance and New Year holidays, so check the current pattern. The clock chimes on the hour, and the exterior can be seen at any time. Entry to the museum is a small fee. It is a short walk from Sapporo Station and Odori Station, and no booking is needed, though group tours may arrange a time. Carry coins for the ticket.

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