Sapporo Clock Tower

The Clock Tower in Sapporo was built in 1878. The architecture of the building is based on western design and is one of the few surviving today. It was first used as a drill house for physical education and military training for the students in the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). The origin of the Sapporo Clock Tower goes as far back as the Meiji restoration. The Japanese government had requested for the USA government to assist in developing the city of Sapporo. It was constructed based William Wheeler’s, the vice president of Sapporo Agricultural College after William S. Clark, recommendation. The clock itself was bought and installed in 1881 from the E. Howard Watch & Clock Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Its mechanism is also originally based on 19th century American clockwork style. The clock still works today and rings every hour on the hour.

The Clock Tower is now a museum, an elegant reminder of the past, and a symbol of Sapporo. It has small displays of the origins of Sapporo’s development and other local history. On the second floor of the Clock Tower is a ceremony hall which can be rented out for special occasions or concerts. There is also a model of the clock to show how it works. Its appearance now consists of red roofs and white walls that stand out to people passing by this historical monument. It was the tallest building when it was constructed, but is now overshadowed by the taller business buildings around it. However, it remains symbolic to Sapporo, especially with its two red stars seen at the front, just below the clock face. The five pointed red star represents the pioneer spirit of Hokkaido and the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission).