Bell of the Sun, Bronze bell on Hirose River bank in Maebashi, Japan.
The Bell of the Sun is a bronze bell standing 8.4 meters tall on the banks of the Hirose River in Maebashi. The structure displays careful bronze casting work and sits prominently in the riverside setting.
Artist Tarō Okamoto created this bronze work in 1966 during a time when Maebashi was rebuilding after the war. The installation was part of a movement to introduce public art objects across the city.
The bell shows how contemporary art can build on the tradition of Japanese bonshō bells. You can observe here how modern sculptural forms connect with classical sound-making practices.
The bell stands by the Hirose River and is accessible on foot from Maebashi's Chiyoda district. The flat terrain around the location makes visiting straightforward and invites a walk along the river.
When struck, the bell produces deep tones that echo across the river and surrounding landscape. This sound experience directly connects the physical structure to the purpose of a traditional bell.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
