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The Most Famous Clock in Tokyo – The Story of the Wako Clock Tower



Every great city has a clock that defines its skyline — a timepiece that tells not just the hour, but also the story of the place itself.

London has Big Ben, Prague has its Astronomical Clock, and Paris has the Montmartre Clock Tower.
And in Tokyo? For most people, that honor belongs to the Wako Clock Tower, standing proudly over the Ginza 4-chome crossing — the very heart of the city.


Watching Over Ginza from the Meiji Era to Today

The story of this clock tower stretches back to the Meiji era.
It began in 1881, when Kintarō Hattori founded a small watch shop that would later become Seiko.
In 1894, the first clock tower was built atop a former newspaper building at the Ginza 4-chome corner, and for more than 130 years, it has kept time for the ever-changing streets of Ginza.

After surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the air raids of World War II, the current building was completed in 1932.
Its Neo-Renaissance façade — a graceful blend of curves and straight lines — remains one of Japan’s finest examples of early modern architecture.
The marble exterior and softly glowing clock face stand out beautifully against the Tokyo sky, both day and night.


Wako and Seiko – The Roots of Japanese Timekeeping



Behind this iconic tower is Seiko, Japan’s world-renowned watchmaker.
The name Seiko comes from the Japan

ese word for “precision,” reflecting the company’s commitment to accuracy and reliability.
Fittingly, Japan’s very first television commercial in 1953 was a Seiko time signal — a testament to the company’s pride in keeping the nation on time.

In 1969, Seiko shook the world with the launch of the Quartz Astron, the world’s first quartz wristwatch.
It revolutionized the global watch industry — an event so dramatic it became known as the Quartz Shock, signaling the end of the mechanical-watch era.

Today, the clock tower building houses Wako, Seiko’s luxury department store.
Inside, visitors will find fine jewelry, fashion, and exquisite gifts, along with the Seiko House Ginza, where the brand’s most prestigious lines are displayed.
Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth stopping by just to enjoy the elegant window displays and seasonal decorations — an essential part of the Ginza experience.


Tokyo vs. Sapporo – Japan’s Two Great Clock Towers?

As a small aside, if you ask Japanese people about the country’s most famous clock tower, some might mention the Sapporo Clock Tower in Hokkaido instead.
Built in 1881 for the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University) at the suggestion of Dr. William S. Clark, it features a classic wooden structure with a tower clock made by the Howard Clock Company of the U.S.

While it’s a beloved local landmark, it also carries a rather unfortunate nickname — one of Japan’s most “disappointing tourist spots.”
Many visitors are surprised to find that it’s much smaller than they imagined.
In that sense, it’s a bit like Manneken Pis in Brussels — famous, charming, but smaller than expected!

When You Walk Through Ginza, Look Up



The Ginza 4-chome intersection is one of the busiest places in Tokyo.
Amid the luxury storefronts and crowds, it’s easy to rush past — but take a moment to look up at the Wako Clock Tower.
Its hands are marking not only your own schedule for the day, but also the long passage of time  from old Tokyo to the modern metropolis.

In that gentle ticking, you can still hear the heartbeat of the city — a bridge between elegance, tradition, and the unending rhythm of Tokyo life.


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