The Sapporo Clock Tower (Tokeidai) is one of the city’s most famous and beloved symbols, a charming wooden building in the American colonial style that dates from Hokkaido’s pioneer development era. Built in 1878 as a drill hall for the Sapporo Agricultural College (the forerunner of Hokkaido University), it was fitted with its distinctive tower clock in 1881 — a mechanism imported from Boston that still keeps time today, making it one of the oldest working tower clocks in Japan. Painted white with red trim and topped by its clock tower, the building is a nostalgic reminder of the era when American advisors helped develop Hokkaido. Inside, a small museum tells the story of the clock, the college and the city’s early history, and you can see the clock’s original mechanism. Standing amid modern buildings in the city centre, it’s a quick, easy and quintessentially Sapporo photo stop — small in scale but rich in history and local affection.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Central Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Hours | ~8:45–17:10 (closed some days) |
| Admission | Small fee (exterior free) |
| Time needed | 30 minutes |
| Best time | Year-round |
What to See
- The charming white American-style wooden building.
- One of Japan’s oldest working tower clocks.
- A small museum on the clock and city history.
- The original imported clock mechanism.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with central Sapporo & Odori Park .
- Pair with the Former Hokkaido Government Office nearby.
- Read our Hokkaido overview .
Getting There
- By subway: a short walk from Odori or Sapporo stations.
- On foot: in central Sapporo.
Tips
It’s a quick photo stop — the exterior is free to admire, while a small fee lets you into the museum inside. Note it’s dwarfed by surrounding modern buildings (many visitors find it smaller than expected), combine it easily with the nearby Former Hokkaido Government Office and Odori Park, and allow about half an hour.
