Is the Giant Ghibli Clock free to visit?

Yes, the clock is completely free to visit and view at any time. The clock itself can be visited 24 hours a day, making it accessible for both day and evening viewing. No tickets or reservations are required. After viewing the Ghibli Clock, visitors can head down to B2F to find the Nittele-Ya store, which sells Nippon TV character gifts and Studio Ghibli merchandise such as socks, towels, stickers, key chains, badges and models.

How do I get to the Giant Ghibli Clock?

Take the Yurikamome Line to Shiodome Station or get off at Shimbashi Station where several of the main lines meet. Both stations are approximately a two-minute walk from the clock. The clock is located outside the second story of the Nittele Tower (Nippon Television headquarters) in the Shiodome district. The area is well-signposted and easy to navigate.

Can I get close to the clock?

Although a water feature acts as a natural barrier to the clock, the walkways allow you to get up pretty close to the Ni-Tele Really Big Clock and enjoy the spectacle. The viewing areas provide excellent vantage points to see the mechanical details and movements during performances. Photography is permitted and encouraged from the public walkways.

Is the clock related to a specific Studio Ghibli movie?

The clock's aesthetic has been likened to Howl's Moving Castle due to its steampunk style, but it is not directly based on any single Ghibli film. The design represents Hayao Miyazaki's original creative vision for a large-scale public art installation. The mechanical features and whimsical movements reflect the imaginative style that characterizes Studio Ghibli's work rather than recreating specific characters or scenes from their films.

Giant Ghibli Clock

4.4 (1522)Tourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

The Giant Ghibli Clock, officially known as the NI-Tele Really BIG Clock, stands outside the second story of the Nippon Television headquarters in Tokyo's Shiodome district. Designed by renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki and built by sculptor Kunio Shachimaru, the clock was unveiled to the public in December 2006. The hand-carved copper and steel structure represents a collaboration between Miyazaki and Nippon TV to create enduring public art that embodies the distinctive atmosphere of Studio Ghibli's animated films.

The clock measures three stories high and 18 meters wide, weighing over 20 tons. While not directly based on any single Ghibli film, its aesthetic evokes the steampunk atmosphere of Howl's Moving Castle and other Studio Ghibli productions. The installation features 32 separate moving mechanical features including cannons, blacksmiths, wheel spinners, a boiling teapot, and bell-headed piston crankers that perform in delicate synchronized movements. Each performance creates a three-minute melody as the mechanical tricks resound between the Shiodome skyscrapers. During daylight hours, the mechanical details are prominently visible, while evening viewing offers a more atmospheric experience with warm lighting.

The clock springs to life four times daily on weekdays at 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM, with an additional 10 AM performance on weekends. Each show begins approximately three minutes before the hour, accompanied by music as the mechanical figures dance and move across the installation. Visitors should arrive several minutes early to secure viewing positions along the walkways that provide close-up access to the clock. The performances draw small crowds but rarely become overcrowded except during peak tourist seasons. The clock itself is accessible 24 hours daily for viewing, though performances only occur during scheduled times.

The clock is located at the Nittele Tower and is accessible via the Yurikamome Line to Shiodome Station or from Shimbashi Station where several major lines converge. Both stations are approximately a two-minute walk from the installation. Admission is free. The surrounding Shiodome area features modern office buildings and commercial development. Visitors can explore the Nittele-Ya shop on the B2F level of the building, which sells television-related souvenirs including miniature versions of the clock. The area is also home to Caretta Shiodome shopping mall, particularly notable during the holiday season for its elaborate Christmas illuminations.

What other travelers are saying about Giant Ghibli Clock

A true gem hidden among skyscrapers. This clock is a piece of art, well worth being seen. At certain times during the day it does a show moving all its parts in a coordinated fashion with music. In terms of style, is reminiscent of the howl moving castle. Tickets are not needed.

Michele Rossi

Aug 11, 2025

We have no idea about the clock, our daughter took us there and explained that this clock is part of ghibli and fans come and see it. Super nice, but as everyone is saying, you must go on specific times in order to see it do “it’s magic”. Night time is nice because you can see the light show as well.

Very cute, nicely designed clock located in the middle of a lot of office spaces. Very nice, airy location. Studio Ghibli fans will enjoy seeing it, especially the little show every 3 hours. We watched the 6pm one so it was a little dark but still nice. The clock show starts about 3 minutes before the hour.

March 2025 What a quirky and fun clock! It started about 3 min before 12 noon. A bell rings and then there is approx 15 sec before the motion sequence begins. It runs for another 3.5 min. We had a difficult time locating the very large clock structure while following the walking directions on maps. Stay on the upper level after exiting the Shimbashi station. Don't go down any stairs to the ground floor. The clock is in the middle of a bunch of tall glass office buildings, open space walkways. There are a few cherry and plum blossoms blooming to the far left of the clock - mid March 2025. (Many thanks to other posters who mentioned that the clock plays a little motion sequence at 3 min before the hour, every 3 hrs. It appears to run at 6 / 9 / 12 / 3 - AM and PM)

It was truly amazing to discover this hidden gem in Minato, Tokyo. The NTV Big Clock, designed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, felt like stepping into an anime come to life. Watching the clock in motion was a magical experience. It was like seeing a real piece of Ghibli animation. A must for fans of whimsical design and Japanese animation!