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🕰️ Sapporo Clock Tower · Tokeidai

The Sapporo Clock Tower — The City's Symbol, Still Ticking Since 1878

A small white wooden building with a red roof, standing among the city's modern towers — the Sapporo Clock Tower is Hokkaido's most famous landmark and Japan's oldest Western-style wooden clock tower. The original American-made clock still keeps time, there's a history museum inside, and it's a five-minute walk from Odori. Here's everything you need to make the most of a quick visit.

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Start Here

The Symbol of Sapporo —Small Building, Big Story

Picture a modest white wooden hall with a red roof and a clock face on its tower, tucked between glass office blocks right in the centre of the city — that's the Sapporo Clock Tower, known locally as Tokeidai. It went up in 1878 as the drill hall of Sapporo Agricultural College, the school that later grew into Hokkaido University, and it's the oldest Western-style wooden clock tower in Japan. The clock at the top was built by the Howard company in the United States, and it has kept time for well over a century — the bell still rings on the hour.

Here's the honest part: the building is small and boxed in by tall towers, so a lot of first-time visitors come expecting something grander and leave a bit underwhelmed — it's even been jokingly listed among Japan's "let-down" sights. But that's the wrong way to look at it. Step inside and there's a genuinely good museum about the pioneering of Hokkaido, the clock mechanism is fascinating up close, and the whole stop takes about 20–30 minutes. Slot it in while you're walking the city centre near Odori and it earns its place.

🕰️ Straight up, first off: don't make a special pilgrimage out of this one — it sits a block north of Odori Park, so the smart move is to fold it into a wider walk of central Sapporo (Odori Park, the TV Tower, then the Clock Tower). The admission, hours and prices on this page reflect 2026 information and may change, so check the official site before you go.
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Oldest of Its Kind
Japan's oldest Western-style wooden clock tower, standing since 1878 in the heart of the city.
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The Clock Still Runs
The original Howard clock has kept time for over a century, with its bell still ringing on the hour.
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A History Museum
Inside is a small museum on the pioneering of Hokkaido and the college that built it.
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Right in the Centre
A 5-minute walk from Odori Station, between Odori Park and Sapporo Station.
At a Glance

The Clock Tower —Everything in One Table

A small landmark with a long history. Here are the essentials — admission, hours, how long to spend, and how to get there — so you can plan the stop in a glance.

DetailTypeWhat to knowBest timeNearest station
Built1878HistoryDrill hall of Sapporo Agricultural CollegeAny seasonOdori
The clockHoward, USALandmarkOriginal American clock, still runningOn the hourOdori
MuseumInsideExhibitPioneering of Hokkaido, college historyDaytimeOdori
Admission~¥200TicketStudents free · combo with TV Tower saves ¥10008:45–17:10Odori
Photo spotAcross the streetTipOfficial platform on the 2nd floor oppositeDay or eveningOdori
Time needed20–30 minPlanA quick stop while walking the centreDaytimeOdori
Getting there5-min walkAccessFrom Odori Station, exit 7 · a block north of Odori ParkAnytimeOdori / Sapporo
🗺️ How to plan it well: the Clock Tower works best as one beat in a wider walk — start at Odori Park, go up the Sapporo TV Tower, then loop a block north to the Clock Tower, all within a few minutes of each other. It's between Odori and Sapporo Station, so you can pick it up on your way to or from the train.
What to See / What to Do

6 Things to Seeat and around the Clock Tower

The Clock Tower itself is a short visit, but it sits in the middle of central Sapporo — so here's what to look for inside, and the landmarks within a few minutes' walk to round out your time.

Sapporo Clock Tower, a white wooden building with a red roof and a clock face on its tower 🕰️ The landmark1
The Clock Tower & the Howard Clock
Sapporo Tokeidai

The white-and-red wooden hall is the main event — built in 1878 and topped by a clock made by the Howard company in the United States, installed in 1881. It's the oldest Western-style wooden clock tower in Japan and a national Important Cultural Property. The bell still chimes on the hour, and on the upper floor you can see how the mechanism works.

📍Location: North-1 West-2 · a block north of Odori Park
🎟️Admission: About ¥200 · students free · combo with the TV Tower saves ¥100
🕗Hours: Roughly 08:45–17:10 (last entry ~17:00) · closes some days for upkeep
💡Tip: Listen for the bell on the hour, and head upstairs to see the clock mechanism.
Sapporo Attractions →
📜 📜 Inside2
The History Museum Inside
Pioneering of Hokkaido

The ground floor holds a small but genuinely interesting museum about the early days of Hokkaido and Sapporo Agricultural College — the school that became Hokkaido University. You'll find exhibits on the American advisor William S. Clark (of "Boys, be ambitious" fame), old photographs, and the story of how this drill hall came to be. The second floor recreates the old assembly hall and explains the clock.

📍Location: Inside the Clock Tower · ground and second floors
🏫What's covered: The college, William S. Clark, and Sapporo's pioneer era
⏱️Time needed: About 20–30 minutes to see it all
💡Tip: English captions are available · this is the part that makes the visit worthwhile.
Sapporo Travel Guide →
Central Sapporo's grid of streets and modern buildings around the Clock Tower 📸 The tip3
The Official Photo Spot
Across the Street, 2nd Floor

Because the tower is hemmed in by tall modern buildings, photographing it from street level can be a struggle. The city set up an official photo platform on the second floor of the building directly across the street to the south, where you can frame the whole tower from a slight height without the office blocks crowding the shot. There are usually signs pointing the way.

📍Location: 2nd floor of the building opposite, on the south side
📷Best angle: Straight-on from the south, slightly elevated
🌃Also nice: Evenings, when the tower is lit up
💡Tip: Don't expect a wide-open view — go in knowing it's a tight, urban shot.
Sapporo Attractions →
🌳 🌳 Nearby4
Odori Park
Odori Park · A Block South

A public park more than 1.5 kilometres long that runs east–west through the centre of the city, just a block south of the Clock Tower. It's an easy place to stroll and sit in any season, and in early February it becomes the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival. Pairing the Clock Tower with a walk through Odori is the natural way to spend an hour in the centre.

📍Location: One block south of the Clock Tower · central Sapporo
🎟️Cost: Free to walk · open all day
🚇Getting there: Odori Station, right beneath the park
💡Tip: Combine the two on foot — they're only a couple of minutes apart.
Sapporo Attractions →
Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end of Odori Park 🗼 Nearby5
Sapporo TV Tower
Sapporo TV Tower

At the eastern end of Odori Park stands the red TV Tower, 147 metres tall, a few minutes' walk from the Clock Tower. The observation deck at around 90 metres looks straight down the length of the park to the mountains ringing the city. A combination ticket bundles it with the Clock Tower, so it's an easy pair if you want one view from above and one piece of history.

📍Location: Eastern end of Odori Park · a few minutes from the Clock Tower
🎟️Up the tower: ¥800 adults, ¥400 children · open ~09:00–22:00 (2026 may change)
🚇Getting there: Odori Station, then walk east through the park
💡Tip: Go up around dusk to catch the day view and the city lights in one visit.
Sapporo Attractions →
🚉 🚉 Nearby6
Sapporo Station & the Underground Walkway
Sapporo Station · Chika-hodo

The Clock Tower sits roughly midway between Odori and Sapporo Station, the city's main rail hub and the gateway from New Chitose Airport. A heated underground walkway (the Chika-hodo) connects Sapporo Station to Odori, so in winter you can walk most of the way to the Clock Tower without stepping out into the cold — handy when it's snowing.

📍Location: About a 10-minute walk north of the Clock Tower
🚄What's here: JR trains, the subway, shopping, and the airport connection
🚶Getting there: Walk via the underground passage — warm and dry in winter
💡Tip: Need help with the subway and IC cards? See our getting-around guide.
Getting Around Sapporo →
Getting There — Stations

How to Reach the Clock Towerfrom the City Centre

The Clock Tower is right in central Sapporo, between two of the city's busiest stations. Whichever you arrive at, it's a short, flat walk — and in winter you can do most of it underground.

OPTION 1
From Odori Station

The closest stop — a three-line subway interchange (Namboku / Tozai / Toho). Come up at exit 7 and the Clock Tower is about a 5-minute walk north. This is the easiest way in, and it puts Odori Park and the TV Tower right at your feet too.

OPTION 2
From Sapporo Station

The city's main rail station (JR + subway) and the gateway from New Chitose Airport · the Clock Tower is about a 10-minute walk south. In winter, take the heated underground walkway toward Odori — you'll stay warm almost the whole way.

OPTION 3
On Foot from Susukino

Coming up from the Susukino nightlife district? It's about a 10-minute walk north, straight through Odori Park. There's no dedicated car park at the Clock Tower, so getting there on foot or by subway is always the simplest choice.

Eat & Drink Nearby

What to Eataround the Clock Tower

The Clock Tower sits in the middle of central Sapporo, so you're never far from the city's famous food. Here are 6 things worth eating while you're in the area. Want specific places? Read on in our Sapporo food guide.

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Sapporo Miso Ramen
A rich miso broth topped with butter and corn — the city's own invention. The famous ramen alley is in Susukino, a short walk south.
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Soup Curry
A dish born in Sapporo — a thin, spiced curry broth eaten with big chunks of Hokkaido vegetables. You'll find good spots all over the centre.
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Hokkaido Crab
Big hairy crab and taraba crab — or eat it fresh at Nijo Market, a short walk toward Susukino from the Clock Tower.
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Jingisukan (Grilled Lamb)
Lamb grilled on a domed pan with vegetables, a Hokkaido staple. Plenty of restaurants in the surrounding blocks.
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Hokkaido Dairy & Ice Cream
Hokkaido is famous for its dairy — soft serve and cheesecake are easy to find in the shops and arcades nearby.
☕
A Café Break
After the museum, the streets around Odori are full of cafés — a good spot to rest before walking on to the TV Tower.
Map

The Clock Towerand What's Around It

You can see how central it all is — the Clock Tower sits between Odori Station and Sapporo Station, with Odori Park just a block south. Everything here is within a 5–10 minute walk.

Where to Stay Nearby

Where to Sleepnear the Clock Tower

Because the Clock Tower sits between Odori and Sapporo Station, staying anywhere in that central strip puts you within a short walk — pick by your travel style.

🏨 How to choose your location: stay around Sapporo Station if you want the easiest connection to the airport and onward trains · stay around Odori to be in the middle of the sights and a few minutes from the Clock Tower · stay near Susukino if you'd rather eat and drink late · during the Snow Festival in early February, rooms sell out and prices spike, so book months ahead.
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Sapporo Travel Guide

An overview of where to stay, what to see, and how to get around the whole of Sapporo — pick the right area for your trip.

Open the Sapporo Guide →
📸

Sapporo Attractions

The best of Sapporo's sights — landmarks, parks and viewpoints — with how to get there and opening hours.

Sapporo Attractions →
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Compare Hotel Prices

Search and compare Sapporo hotels on Agoda for your dates and budget before you decide to book.

Search on Agoda →
Related Guides

Keep Exploring Sapporo — Sights, Food, and Stays

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Sapporo Travel Guide

A whole-city overview — sights, hotels, transport, and the districts beyond the centre.

Open the Sapporo Guide →
📸

Sapporo Attractions

The best of Sapporo's sights, in the city and beyond, with how to get there and opening hours.

Sapporo Attractions →
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What to Eat in Sapporo

Miso ramen, soup curry, jingisukan, Hokkaido crab, and dairy desserts — a deep dive into the best places.

Sapporo Food Guide →
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Getting Around Sapporo

The subway, IC cards, the streetcar, and the underground walkway — how to move around the city with ease.

Getting Around →
🏔️

Hokkaido Travel Guide

Beyond Sapporo — the rest of Hokkaido, from Otaru and Furano to Hakodate, with cities, sights and seasons.

Explore Hokkaido →
🇯🇵

Full Japan Travel Guide

Every region and city, with links into city guides, hotels, and attractions across Japan.

Japan Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions Aboutthe Sapporo Clock Tower

What is the Sapporo Clock Tower and why is it famous?
The Sapporo Clock Tower (Tokeidai in Japanese) is the symbol of the city. It was built in 1878 as the drill hall of Sapporo Agricultural College — the institution that later became Hokkaido University — and it's the oldest Western-style wooden clock tower in Japan. The tower clock was made by the Howard company in the United States and has kept time for well over a century, with its bell still ringing on the hour. It's a designated national Important Cultural Property.
How much is admission to the Sapporo Clock Tower and what are the opening hours?
Admission is about ¥200 for adults; high-school students and younger are free (2026 prices may change). It's open roughly 08:45–17:10, with last entry around 17:00, and it closes on certain days for maintenance — usually the fourth Monday of the month — so check the official site before you go. A combination ticket with the nearby Sapporo TV Tower saves about ¥100.
How do I get to the Sapporo Clock Tower?
It sits right in the city centre, a block north of Odori Park. From Odori Station (a three-line subway interchange) it's about a 5-minute walk via exit 7. From Sapporo Station it's about a 10-minute walk, much of it through the underground walkway that links the two, so you can stay out of the snow in winter. There's no dedicated car park, so public transport is easiest.
Is the Sapporo Clock Tower worth visiting?
It depends on what you're after. The building is small and hemmed in by tall modern towers, which makes it hard to photograph and surprises a lot of first-time visitors — it's been jokingly called one of Japan's "let-down" sights. But the inside tells a genuinely interesting story about the pioneering of Hokkaido, the clock mechanism is fascinating, and it only takes 20–30 minutes. As a quick stop while you're walking the city centre near Odori, it's well worth it.
Where is the best spot to photograph the Clock Tower?
There's an official photo platform on the second floor of the building across the street to the south, set up so you can frame the whole tower from a slight height without the surrounding office blocks crowding in. From street level the building is best shot straight on from the south side. Evenings are nice too — the tower is lit up after dark.
What else is near the Clock Tower, and where should I stay?
Almost everything central is within a short walk: Odori Park and the Sapporo TV Tower are a few minutes south, and the Susukino nightlife district and Sapporo Station are both about 10 minutes away. Because the Clock Tower sits between Odori and Sapporo Station, staying anywhere in that central strip puts you within walking distance. See our Sapporo travel guide for where to stay, and compare prices on Agoda before you book.
Ready to Explore Sapporo?

Stay in Central Sapporo
and Walk to the Clock Tower, Odori, and More

Base yourself near Odori or Sapporo Station and the city's landmarks are a short walk away. Open our full Sapporo guide for where to stay, or compare prices on Agoda for your dates and budget.

🗺️ Open the Sapporo Travel Guide 🏨 Search Sapporo Hotels →
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