Translation guide
A bell tower is a tower that contains or is designed to hold bells. In Japanese, the most common word is 鐘楼 (shōrō), often found at temples. For clock towers with bells, 時計台 (tokeidai) is used. The word 鐘つき堂 (kanetsukidō) refers specifically to a bell tower where a bell is struck.
A tower housing a large bell, typically at a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine, used for signaling time or rituals.
The standard term for a bell tower at a Buddhist temple. It is a two-story structure where the bell is hung on the upper floor.
その寺の鐘楼は江戸時代に建てられた。
That temple's bell tower was built in the Edo period.
Literally 'bell-striking hall', this refers to a bell tower where a bell is rung by striking, often found in temples. It emphasizes the action of ringing the bell.
除夜の鐘は鐘つき堂でつかれます。
The New Year's Eve bell is rung at the bell tower.
A less common synonym for 鐘楼, also meaning a bell hall or bell tower at a temple.
古い鐘堂が修理されている。
The old bell tower is being repaired.
A tower, often part of a public building, that has a clock and bells that chime.
Refers to a clock tower, which often includes bells. This is the most natural term for Western-style clock towers.
札幌の時計台は有名な観光地です。
Sapporo's clock tower is a famous tourist spot.
Literally 'bell tower', this can refer to a bell tower in a church or a standalone structure. It is less common than 鐘楼 for temples.
A tower or turret on a building that contains bells, such as on a church or city hall.
While primarily used for temple bell towers, it can also refer to bell towers on other buildings in a traditional context.
その建物の鐘楼は美しい装飾が施されている。
The bell tower of that building is beautifully decorated.
A more general term for a bell tower, suitable for churches and Western architecture.
鐘楼 (shōrō) is the general architectural term for a bell tower at a temple. 鐘つき堂 (kanetsukidō) emphasizes the function of ringing the bell and is often used when referring to the New Year's Eve bell-ringing event.
If the tower primarily functions as a clock and happens to have bells, 時計台 (tokeidai) is the best choice. For a bell tower without a clock, use 鐘楼 or 鐘塔.
鐘楼は本堂の隣に立っている。
The bell tower stands next to the main hall.
私たちは市の中心にある有名な時計台を訪れた。
We visited the famous clock tower in the city center.
You can hear the bells from the church's bell tower.
There is a cross on top of the bell tower.