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Emerging from the bustle of Shinjuku, the Shinjuku NS Building stands quietly among the skyscrapers of Nishi-Shinjuku. Stepping into the atrium with its open ceiling, you are immediately overwhelmed by the sight of a gigantic pendulum clock towering before you. Boasting a height of 29.1 meters, a pendulum length of 22.5 meters, and a dial diameter of 7.2 meters, this clock was once registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest pendulum clock. (seiko-sts.co.jp)
The name of this clock is the “Yukkurhythm Pendulum Clock.” True to its name, the pendulum makes a gentle round trip every 30 seconds, marking the passage of time in a calm manner. Instead of numbers, the dial features the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and a single hand completes one revolution every 24 hours. For example, from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. is “Ox,” and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. is “Rooster,” reviving the ancient way of expressing time in the modern era. (ryuss2.pvsa.mmrs.jp)
The design of this clock is by architect Ryuichi Tomiya, and it was manufactured by Seikosha (now Seiko Time Creation Inc.). The pendulum is powered by the force of a waterwheel, with the pendulum’s own inertia and the assistance of the waterwheel keeping it in motion. (seiko-sts.co.jp)
The atrium of the Shinjuku NS Building is an open space bathed in natural light from its glass roof, and the Yukkurhythm Pendulum Clock, positioned at its center, offers visitors the beauty and tranquility of the passage of time. Amid the cluster of skyscrapers, this clock, which marks time at a leisurely pace, provides a moment of peace in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. (cocottetime.com)
When you visit Shinjuku, why not stop in front of the Yukkurhythm Pendulum Clock and feel the slow flow of time? It will surely be a valuable experience that allows you to rediscover the passage of time in the city.