Sapporo Clock Tower

Visited on 15 Dec 2025. Admission ticket is 350 yen per person. Sapporo Clock Tower is one of the city’s most iconic historical landmarks and is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Built in 1878 as the drill hall for the former Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University), it is the oldest wooden clock tower still standing in Japan. The building features a charming American-style Victorian design with a white exterior and a bright red roof, standing out amid the modern buildings in downtown Sapporo. Its large clock, made in the United States, has been keeping time since 1881, and the chimes still sound on the hour. Inside, the museum showcases the history of the building and Sapporo’s early development, with most explanations available in English. There’s also a photo spot with a statue of Dr. Clark and a small souvenir shop. A wheelchair-accessible elevator to the 2nd-floor exhibition makes it easy for all visitors. The Clock Tower is conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from Sapporo Station. In winter, you can even reach it via the underground walkway connected to the station, avoiding the snow. Despite its modest size, it is highly symbolic and a must-see for visitors, offering a glimpse into Hokkaido’s pioneering era while serving as one of Sapporo’s most photogenic spots.

A very very famous attraction for the city of Sapporo. Very photogenic building with a snow backdrop. Entry is 300¥ and a lot of very photogenic angles. Inside is a very informative museum. I heard a tour being undertaken in English. Well worth the visit.

The Sapporo TV Tower, built in 1957, is one of the city’s earliest landmarks and has stood watch over Odori Park for more than six decades. Designed during Japan’s post-war modernisation period, it originally served as a key broadcasting tower and quickly became a symbol of Sapporo. Visiting in winter is especially beautiful. From the observation deck, the view of Odori Park blanketed in snow feels almost timeless—quiet, white, and serene. The symmetrical lines of the park, covered in soft snow, make the city look peaceful and historic, as though time has slowed down. A simple but meaningful stop for anyone who wants to appreciate Sapporo’s history and the gentle beauty of its snowy landscape.

I saw more people taking pictures outside than entering inside. I think that resumes this place: It's more like an icon of Sapporo than an interesting place to enter and discover.

Small museum with great little titbits about the university of Hokkaido and the history of sapporo. Also impressive to see the mechanism of the clocktower which is still in its original form. But what left the best impression was to have a free tour guide that speak English and could explain in detail every panels as well as awnser my questions. Another tour was happening right next to mine, so it didn't seem like a rare occurrence either. For the price and the proximity to jr station, would definitely recommend!

Sapporo Clock Tower is not as big as Big Ben, but it’s still worth a quick visit for a photo stop. It’s conveniently located along the walking route toward Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park, so it’s easy to stop by on the way. We walked there from Keio Plaza Hotel, and it was a straightforward and pleasant walk. There is an entrance fee of around 200–300 yen if you want to go inside, but honestly, if you don’t plan to enter, taking photos from outside is already more than enough. 👍

There are good photo spots, but the walking area is a bit small. You can visit the inside by paying an entrance fee.

If you have a lot of time to spare, this may be a visit for you. I personally did not find this worthy of coming. There is entrance fee which is probably just a small consideration towards maintaining it. If that is benchmarked against the historical significance, found it to be bot justifiable. 1 thing that is surprising is with the clock. It is not Japan made but US made. And it still works.

The Clock Tower of Sapporo was built in 1878 and has an interesting look towards it. To me, it looks like the same style as The Farmers Market in Los Angeles, California. Or maybe the farmers market copied this style. I know that they have an inside-style museum thing which you could pay 200 yen for but I came during the night and my friends at the time didn't want to go inside. On my next trip to Sapporo, I will do it!

Sapporo Clock Tower was built in 1878 and is the oldest building standing in Sapporo. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property. The red stars that decorate the tower represent Sapporo's pioneer spirit. The Sapporo Clock Tower is also depicted on the manhole covers in the city. We only looked at the building from the outside and opted out of touring the inside.

Sapporo Clock Tower: Are we in Boston? Sure felt like the Hub. Yeah, you're not bettuh than me. Anyways, I was thinking this would be a pagoda with a clock stickin' out of a happy Buddha's belly, but no, it felt like a historical building you'd see on the Freedom Trail. It's the oldest standing structure in Sapporo, but it was built only in 1881, so it ain't like Faneuil Hall. No samurai warrior armor here, nope. There is a museum here though dedicated to the graduates of Sapporo Agricultural College. Kind of a snoozuh if you ask me and Jamie W. But hey, at least there's a Tony Roma's across the street. RELATED - Traveling in Japan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2qrUBZo

Small clock tower, some people love it. I was more "it's fine". You can either pay to go inside or take photos from the outside. Yes, it does resemble some clock towers in America, but if you are in the area and have a few minutes to spare, this is a nice attraction to visit. If you go in, get a guided tour since you will get more information than just perusing on your own.

We had no expectations when stopping by this clock tower. In fact, it wasn't even on our list of destinations! Outside, I felt like it feels a lot like Boston. We decided to check it out. Entrance fee is ¥200 per person. There is some English on the displays and the videos have English subtitle as well. My favorite is part of the clock that you can see. It's made in... you guessed it! Boston!! One video even showed different clock towers in Massachusetts. This original building was also once a part of a college campus that had professors from Massachusetts come to teach! For those who are from America, it's worth a little side stop to this clock tower. Especially those from Massachusetts can find a unique connection to your hometown and Japan!

Constructed in 1878 as a drill hall. Inside was a display about it's history. Volunteers in front were helpful l.

Located just one block from our hotel (Cross Hotel Sapporo). Across from the Tony Roma's restaurant. It proved to be an interesting place to visit. Interesting history, although much of the signage inside is in Japanese. Was able to find out more on the internet. Minimal fee (¥600). Children are free. Small gift shop inside. Very pleasant staff. Worth a stop if you like historical landmarks.

I think that the Clock Tower doesn't sell itself effectively. Tours are hilariously cheap, 280JPY or something when I was there, and even less if you buy it as a combo with the Sapporo TV Tower ticket. And the building looks small, maybe a bit unimpressive, and I almost dismissed it. But then I decided, I'm here, it costs almost nothing, I'm going in. Turns out, it's fascinating. The exhibits are pretty well explained in English, so you don't feel totally left out if you don't speak Japanese. They explain so much about the early days of Sapporo and the Agricultural College. What was so interesting to me was the Western heritage that's unexpectedly strong in Sapporo due to one of the original organizers of the college, William Smith Clark, who is still celebrated as something of a local hero in Sapporo even while he's been largely forgotten in the US. It's the unexpected dose of Western culture that made all this seem very cool to me - something you would never expect, but which still manages to have some influence today. Don't miss Hello Kitty souvenirs with Dr. Clarks' parting words, "Boys, Be Ambitious!" written on them. Just when I think there's nothing Hello Kitty that's new under the sun, I find something like this.

We visited very early in the morning. There was a guide who spoke English and gave us a very good tour of this beautiful building. The tower is one of the few original buildings still standing in Sapporo and is a testament to the values of education and learning in Sapporo. We learned a lot and were really happy to see the double-hung wood windows and bell still in use. Sometimes when traveling internationally it is the little things that brighten your day.

A bit disappointed about this place, or I was just expecting too much. It's a small building, like a normal house with a clock on the top. Going in is not free but after seeing the exterior of the building I was satisfied. This clock tower is even in the Sapporo Manhole Cover, so I guess this place is really significant.

The Sapporo Clock Tower is on a lot of sightseeing lists, so I decided to stop by. I didn't have time to go inside, but from what I understand, it's like a small museum. From the outside of the tower, there's not much to see. It reminded me of a large American old-style schoolhouse. I'll give it another shot if I ever come back to Sapporo and see the place inside, but for the most part, you're good with just taking a photo outside or drawing a picture of it just to say that you were there!

We had a volunteer tour guide walk us through the museum. I recommend talking to one of these guys. He spoke English good enough to understand. He told us a lot of Hokkaido history that you couldn't get just walking through the museum.

"Boys, be ambitious!" The famous words of Dr. Clerk, the founder of the former Sapporo Agricultural College (present Hokkaido university) heavily attracted me in my junior high school days. However, why would Dr. Clark call only boys? I wanted to declare, "Girls, be ambitious!!" against Dr. Clark in those days. It is irrelevant of my remarks, but women have been more energetic than men recently. By the way, I visited here with vibrating my breast to know this clock tower built on the base of Dr. Clark's design as a martial art hall early in the Meiji era. It was small much more than I saw a photograph. The white outer walls with a red triangle roof. It is a rural modern Western-style house. A clock tower is built on the roof. The bell rings on the hour. The first floor is an exhibition room, where I could learn the history of the clock tower, and the second floor is a gallery for rent. I was surprised that the same type of machine clock as the clock tower was displayed in the second floor. It is lighted up by night. Dusk of Sapporo will be wrapped with fantastic light. I want to drop in after having eaten ramen to satisfy my hungry stomach.