A 130-year-old clock tower in a sea of sunflowers

Fun fact! The rural city of Aki, located just over an hour drive from Kochi City, is one of the country’s leading producers of eggplant and the birthplace of Yataro Iwasaki, the ambitious entrepreneur who founded Mitsubishi Corporation in 1870

Aki is also home to a number of lovely samurai houses and the iconic Nora Dokei (field clock), which has been ticking for over 130 years

Driven by his sheer fascination of clock mechanics, land owner Genma Hatakenaka mastered the craft of engineering these complex time-telling devices on his own by repeatedly dismantling and reassembling an American clock gifted to him by his father at age 10. After years of trial, error and a lot of perseverance, Hatakenaka completed his majestic clock in 1887

A beloved landmark for locals and a practical indicator of time for farmers hard at work in the fields, the field is a symbol of dedication to one’s passion that continues to inspire the community today

During the summer, you can enjoy Hatakenaka’s beautiful masterpiece among the energetic glow of sunflowers, which is well worth a visit

Learn more about the field clock here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10006