Sapporo Clock Tower

What this place is

Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌時計台, Sapporo Tokeidai) is a wooden structure and tourist attraction located at North 1 West 2, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, the largest city on the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 2021, this tower is the oldest clock tower in Japan. The building is of American design and is one of the few surviving Western-style buildings in Sapporo, a city developed in the 1870s with assistance from the American government. It is known by many as the symbol of the city and is a main feature of almost all domestic and international tours of Sapporo. The clock after which it is named continues to run and keep time, and the chimes can be heard every hour.

Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌時計台) is one of the standout places to visit in Hokkaido. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.

Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Why it is worth the trip

An observation deck that lays out the whole city or valley in one sweep.

Sunset and blue hour, when the lights come on and the view changes completely within 20 minutes.

Glass floors, open-air decks or cafés built into the deck so you can linger rather than snap and leave.

What you can do here

Go up about 40 minutes before sunset to see the view in daylight, dusk and darkness on one ticket.

Pick out the landmarks using the directional panels around the windows.

Have a drink or dessert at the deck café and take the view slowly.

Send a postcard or get the commemorative stamp — most decks still have both.

Photos