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One of Three Worst Diappointments Make Many Tourists Smile in Japan -Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo-

July 11th, 2017

Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌市時計台) is a historical building built in 1978 in Chuo ward, Sapporo city, and has designed as a national important cultural property. Its official name is "Drill Hall of Former Sapporo Agricultural College (旧札幌農学校演武場)". The Sapporo Agricultural College is the present Hokkaido University (北海道大学). The first principal is Dr. Clark (クラーク博士). He is one of the most famous foreigners in Hokkaido and is known for "Boys, be ambitious". In addition, it is known as one of Three Worst Diappointments in Japan. This is why tourists do not feel magnificent Hokkaido because the building is surrounded by large buildings. Of course, the tourists should control the expectation, so the tourists would not disappoint. For example, you should visit as if a building designed as a national important cultural property with about 20 m in height is untouched to hold against a land shark in high-rise buildings of Shinjuku (新宿). A lot of tourists take photos with a smile, so maybe here is an exhilaration spot. Admission fee is JPY 200. By the way, the tourists can look over the Sapporo Clock Tower from a rooftop of Sapporo City Hall in the summer season. Admission free.

Relevant documents from that period are display on the 1st floor, and around the Sapporo Agricultural College at that time is reproduced in models, too. There is Sapporo Clock Tower Hall (時計台ホール) like a church on the 2nd floor, and a concert is held sometimes, too. In addition, a large clock made by E. Howard Watch & Clock Co. of Boston, Massachusetts in the early 1900's is display, too. I like its atomosphere like an automaton clock. At present, same type of the large clock made in 1881 is installed and is working.

Admission fee	Adult: JPY 200. Child: free of charge.
Parking lot	Parking lot is not provided
Business hours	08:45-17:10
Regular closing day	New year holidays
Telephone number	+81-11-231-0838
Home page	Home page is here