JR Tower, Commercial skyscraper at Sapporo Station, Japan
JR Tower is a 173-meter, 38-story skyscraper built directly above Sapporo Station's south entrance. Its three sections—West, Center, and East—hold the Daimaru department store, Stellar Place shopping mall, offices, and the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo. The tower's facade incorporates the design of the third-generation station building, and a "Star Clock" by Hokkaido sculptor Takanobu Igarashi sits at its center, powered by solar panels.
The project started as Sapporo-Eki Minamiguchi Sougou Kaihatsu Building before becoming JR Tower in 2000. It opened to the public in 2003 and quickly became a key landmark for the city.
The name JR Tower now covers four connected facilities sharing the JR Tower Square brand since 2005, each with an image colour used on maps and the loyalty card: Stellar Place light blue, Paseo yellow, Apia silver and Esta pink. The tower's Star Clock, unveiled in 2002, is by Hokkaido sculptor Igarashi Takanobu and runs on solar panels set below its face.
The building connects directly to the train station and public transportation networks, making it easy to reach. The observation deck on the 38th floor offers views across the city, so allow time to visit if you plan to go up.
On the 38th floor, the men's toilets in the northeast corner place the urinals directly against large windows, so users look out over the whole of Sapporo while urinating. The observation deck on the same floor, Tower Three Eight, sits 160 m above ground and is certified as a Japan Night View Heritage site.
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