Nora Dokei Clock

This clock tower was made in the mid-Meiji era, a time when clocks were not yet commonplace, by Genma Hatakenaka. He was a landowner who mastered the art of clock assembly, building it by hand from gears and weights. The clock was nationally registered as a tangible cultural property in 1996.

Backed by Japanese style houses lining in the farm lands, the clock stands in stark contrast with its roman numeral dial, and is often considered an iconic snapshot of Aki city. In front of the clock the fields bloom with sunflowers in summer and cosmos in autumn for a colorful delight that’s different each season.

The clockmaker is said to have gotten in start with a US-made octagonal wall clock bought for him by his father. He learned the structure of the clock virtually on his own by the sheer act of disassembling and reassembling the clock multiple times.

While the clock does not run all year, it does run in cooperation of the owner during tourist season and special events. Please note, the Nora Dokei Clock is a private residence, so touring the building’s interior is not permitted. Remember to be mindful of privacy and remain outside the premises.