
About Sapporo Clock Tower
The Sapporo Clock Tower is a historic wooden building in downtown Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaidō and is considered the oldest surviving structure in the city. Built in 1878 in the American style, it was originally part of the drill hall of the former Sapporo Agricultural College, which is now part of Hokkaido University. As one of the few surviving Western-style buildings in a city founded in the 1870s with American support, the tower symbolizes Sapporo's early development. The clock, installed in 1881, still runs today and chimes every hour. The building now houses a small museum documenting the history of the agricultural college and the growth of the city. You can tour the interior and see the large hall on the upper floor, which is also used for events. An important piece of cultural heritage and a popular photo spot, the tower is a major draw for tourists and is included on nearly every city tour of Sapporo.
At a glance
- Category
- Sight › Historic sites
- Rating
- no reviews yet · write a review
- Address
- 2 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi
060-0001 Sapporo, Japan - District
- Kita-1-jo-Nishi 2-chome
- Phone
- +81112310838
- Website
- sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp
- —
- Coordinates
- 43.06254° N · 141.35349° E
- Data quality
- confidence 0.99
- Identifier
- ID 2d04614d-a73…
Location & surroundings
Toggle layersFAQ about Sapporo Clock Tower
quick answersWhat is the Sapporo Clock Tower?
The Sapporo Clock Tower is a historic wooden building in downtown Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaidō and is considered the oldest surviving structure in the city. It stands in the Kita-1-jo-Nishi 2-chome neighborhood (address: 2 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi). An important cultural landmark and a popular photo spot, the tower is one of Sapporo's main attractions and is included on nearly every city tour.
How old is the Sapporo Clock Tower, and what is its history?
The Sapporo Clock Tower was built in 1878 in the American style. It was originally part of the drill hall of the former Sapporo Agricultural College, which is now part of Hokkaido University. As one of the few surviving Western-style buildings in Sapporo, a city founded in the 1870s with support from the United States, it symbolizes the city's early development. The clock was installed in 1881, still runs today, and chimes every hour.
What can you see at the Sapporo Clock Tower?
At the Sapporo Clock Tower, you can tour the interior of the building, which now houses a small museum. It documents the history of the Sapporo Agricultural College and the development of the city of Sapporo. On the upper floor, you can also see the large hall, which is used for events.
What can you see around the Sapporo Clock Tower?
Around the Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo, there are several museums and monuments within walking distance. travelguide195 lists, for example, the art museum 小原道城書道美術館 (Obara Dojo Calligraphy Museum) about 130 meters away and the museum 北一条さっぽろ歴史写真館 (Kita-1-jo Sapporo Historical Photo Museum) about 164 meters away. You'll also find the memorial stone 北海道電話交換創始の地碑, marking the origin of telephone switching in Hokkaidō, about 176 meters away, and the monument 北海道神宮石柱, a stone pillar of Hokkaido Shrine, about 178 meters away.
Are there restaurants near the Sapporo Clock Tower?
Yes, there is a wide selection of restaurants around the Sapporo Clock Tower in downtown Sapporo. travelguide195 lists around 576 restaurants within 500 meters of the clock tower. That makes it easy to combine a visit with a meal in the Kita-1-jo-Nishi neighborhood.
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