Sapporo Clock Tower
Sapporo clock tower (さっぽろ時計台 Sapporo Tokeidai) is located at North 1 West 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo. It is known by many as the symbol of Sapporo.
History
The wooden structure was built in 1878, and is all that remains of the drill hall of the former Sapporo Agricultural College.
The clock was installed in July 1881 by E. Howard and Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
In 1970, the Tokeidai was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.[1]
The Tokeidai now
The Tokeidai is open to visitors year round. Admission is 200 yen for adults. The building houses a museum introducing the history of the Agricultural College and the development of Sapporo.
Also on display in the museum is one of the few remaining original American blue-eyed Dolls in Hokkaido, named Fanny Pio[2].
It is possible for members of the public to rent the large hall upstairs for private functions.
Viewing and photographing the building is very popular among visitors to Sapporo. However, many expect to see a large structure and are disappointed at the relatively small size compared to the tall office buildings which now surround it. Some have classed the Tokeidai as one of the "3 great disappointments of Japan" (日本三大がっかり Nihon san-dai gakkari)