About
Amid the cluster of skyscrapers in Shiodome, Tokyo, there is a gigantic mechanical clock that stands out. This is the "NTV Giant Clock," mounted on the wall of the Nippon Television headquarters building. The clock was designed by Studio Ghibli’s director Hayao Miyazaki and was completed in 2006. With an overwhelming scale of approximately 12 meters in height and 18 meters in width, it was meticulously crafted from 1,228 copper plates, each processed with care.
At the center of the clock is a large dial that marks the time, and around it, countless gears, pipes, and screws are intricately intertwined. These components are arranged organically, almost as if they are alive, inviting viewers into Ghibli’s fantastical world. Notably, on the right side of the clock lives a family of blacksmiths who control the power of movement. On the left side resides a family of bell ringers, who are in charge of sound. These two forces flow into the central clock section, creating the mechanism that tells the time.
At designated times, the mechanisms spring into action, and the inhabitants of the clock begin their activities all at once to the accompaniment of music. The master blacksmith and his apprentices swing their hammers, the bell family tunes the bells, and together they perform a grand spectacle. This show takes place at 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, and 20:00 on weekdays, and at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, and 20:00 on weekends, starting about three minutes before each scheduled time.
The design of the NTV Giant Clock is reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s film "Howl’s Moving Castle." In fact, many fans have pointed out that the shape of the base of the clock and its overall atmosphere resemble the moving castle from the movie. This may be because Miyazaki was working on both projects around the same time, naturally resulting in similarities.
Below the clock is "NTV-ya," a shop selling original Nippon Television merchandise, with a wide selection of Ghibli-related products. Nearby, there is also a glass-walled studio called "Zero Studio," where visitors can watch live broadcasts from outside.
The NTV Giant Clock offers a moment of dreams and fantasy amid the bustle of the city. With its elaborate mechanisms and the unique worldview of Hayao Miyazaki fused together, this clock continues to deeply move all who visit.