# Sapporo Clock Tower

> A historic wooden clock tower from 1878 that has become the enduring symbol of Sapporo and Hokkaido.

- Prefecture: Hokkaido
- Type: Historic site
- Address: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Official site: https://sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp/english/

The Sapporo Clock Tower, officially the Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall, was built in 1878 as an exercise hall for what is now Hokkaido University. The American-style wooden building houses a Howard clock that has been ticking continuously since 1881, making it one of the oldest functioning clock towers in Japan. Inside, exhibits chronicle Sapporo's development from a frontier settlement into Hokkaido's capital city. The first floor showcases the history of the building and the Agricultural College, while the second floor features a hall used for concerts and events. Despite being surrounded by modern skyscrapers, the building retains its 19th-century charm. It is a five-minute walk from Odori Station.

## FAQ

### How do I get to the Sapporo Clock Tower?

It is a few minutes' walk from Odori Station or about 10 minutes from JR Sapporo Station, in the city centre.

### What is the Sapporo Clock Tower?

It is an 1878 Western-style wooden building, one of the oldest of its kind in Japan and a symbol of Sapporo, with a small museum inside about the city's pioneer history.

### What are the entry fee and hours?

It costs around ¥200 for adults and is open roughly 8:45–17:10, closed some days; the clock still chimes on the hour.

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Source: Sapporo Clock Tower — Japan Voyage