The Clock Tower That Refused to Fall – Kyoto University’s Rebel Spirit

Standing proudly at the center of Kyoto University’s Yoshida Campus is the Clock Tower (正式名称：百周年時計台記念館), an iconic brick building completed in 1925. But this is no ordinary campus building—it has become a symbol of resistance and academic freedom in Japan. In the turbulent 1960s and 70s, Kyoto University was one of the main stages for Japan’s student protest movements. Students occupied the Clock Tower during protests against university policies and government actions, demanding more democratic systems and freedom of expression. Despite attempts to remove or renovate it, the tower stood strong, a quiet observer of the university’s evolving identity. Today, the Clock Tower functions as a museum and event space, but its historical weight remains. Around the tower and across campus, you’ll also spot something unique: a wild mix of handwritten posters (ビラ), comic-style flyers, and sharp critiques of everything from university rules to global politics. This “poster culture” is part of what makes Kyoto University truly Kyoto University. So, while the Clock Tower keeps time, it also reminds students and visitors alike of the power of independent thinking—and of standing tall, no matter the pressure.