The Flower Clock in Higashi Yuenchi Park in Chuo Ward, Kobe, is widely recognized as Japan’s first floral clock. Created with donations from Kobe residents and local businesses, this distinctive monument has long been cherished by the community as a symbol of the city’s civic pride and love of flowers.
Tatsuo Miyazaki, the 13th mayor of Kobe, proposed a plan to create Japan’s first flower clock in the early 1950s. The idea received an enthusiastic response from residents and local companies, and numerous donations were collected. The clock was ultimately presented to Kobe City as a gift from civic-minded members of the community.
The inspiration came from Mayor Miyazaki’s visit to a floral clock in the English Garden in Geneva, Switzerland. Impressed by its beauty, he wanted to bring a similar attraction to Kobe.
Construction of the Flower Clock proceeded alongside the development of Kobe City Hall’s fourth main building. The clock began operating on April 26, 1957, on the north side of the building. A grand ceremony was held to celebrate its launch.
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck on January 17, 1995, severely damaging Kobe City Hall’s Building No. 2 and temporarily stopping the Flower Clock. Remarkably, it resumed operation by the end of March, just two months after the disaster. Its floral display featured the powerful messages “Rise Again, KOBE!” and “Keep Going, Kobe Kids!”, expressing hope and encouragement for the city’s recovery.
As Kobe City Hall’s buildings aged, a redevelopment plan for Buildings No. 2 and No. 3 was announced in 2018. The Flower Clock was consequently relocated to Higashi Yuenchi Park, where it resumed operation at the southern end of the park on March 28, 2019.
Even after its relocation, the Flower Clock has continued to play a role in Kobe’s civic life. The surrounding park is also used as a venue for events such as Kobe Luminarie, the city’s renowned winter illumination festival.
The Flower Clock has a dial measuring six meters in diameter, tilted at an angle of 15 degrees. Seasonal flowers are planted across its face, creating a colorful display that changes throughout the year. The clock has retained essentially the same form since its relocation, and Kobe City’s Construction Bureau is responsible for its maintenance.
The flowers are replaced approximately eight times a year, allowing the display to reflect the changing seasons.
The clock’s floral displays feature seasonal varieties such as pansies, daisies, begonias, Joseph’s coat, small chrysanthemums, and ornamental cabbage. The plants were originally cultivated in Sorakuen Garden and are now grown at Suma Rikyu Park.
The design of the floral display is changed about four times a year, based on submissions selected through public design competitions. This gives residents an opportunity to contribute to the appearance of a familiar city landmark.
The clock hands are made of stainless steel, with the hour, minute, and second hands differing in length and weight. A mechanical room beneath the clock houses its electrically powered mechanism. A battery system provides backup power during outages, and waterproofing measures help protect the equipment.
Following an increase in vandalism from 1985 onward, Kobe City installed infrared and heat-detection security sensors. If someone enters the protected area at night, an alarm sounds to help deter intruders and safeguard the monument.
Now located in Higashi Yuenchi Park, the Flower Clock remains a beloved feature of Kobe’s urban landscape. It has also been designated as a permanent facility in the city hall redevelopment plans. As a symbol of civic pride, seasonal beauty, and the city’s resilience following the earthquake, it is expected to remain an enduring part of Kobe for years to come.