Bell of Time

The Bell of Time is a bronze bell tower located in the northeastern section of Ueno Park near the Ueno Seiyoken restaurant. The structure serves as a timekeeping landmark, its chimes audible throughout the park's grounds.

The current bell was cast in 1787 to replace an earlier bell dating from 1666. It was part of a network of ten bell towers built during the Edo period to coordinate timekeeping across the city.

The bell's sound was officially recognized in 1996 as part of the '100 Soundscapes of Japan' list by the Ministry of Environment. This designation reflects how important the chimes have become to people's experience of this park.

The bell tolls three times daily at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm, making it a useful time reference while walking through the park. The northeastern location means the sound carries well across the area, helping visitors get oriented.

The bell rings in a distinct pattern: three preliminary strikes serve as a signal, then individual chimes count out the hour. This rhythmic sequence has remained unchanged for centuries and makes the chimes work more like a traditional timekeeper than a simple clock.

Location: Ueno-kōen

Inception: 1669

Part of: Kan'ei-ji, 100 Soundscapes of Japan

Website: https://kaneiji.jp/information8sp.html

GPS coordinates: 35.71422,139.77250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43