Gakken Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Hiroaki Miyahara), announced the start of pre-orders for "Otona no Kagaku Magazine: Atarashii Hato Dokei" (scheduled for release on July 30, 2026) on July 1, 2026.

An unprecedented mechanism: a bird flaps its wings and chirps.

The latest issue of Otona no Kagaku Magazine, "Atarashii Hato Dokei," is a build-it-yourself cuckoo clock that reproduces the flapping and chirping of a bird entirely through its mechanism.

Once every hour, a bird flaps its wings and chirps beautifully to announce the time. The magazine has packed all the intricate mechanism technology it has cultivated into this small cuckoo clock.

The outer box is transparent, allowing you to admire the precise movements and structure of the intricate mechanics even after assembly.

The most intricate mechanism in Otona no Kagaku Magazine history: a cuckoo clock that allows you to fully enjoy the fun of mechanisms.

"Atarashii Hato Dokei" is powered by a single motor. The motor transmits power to over 50 custom parts and gears for this kit, driving various mechanisms such as the bird's complex movements and its chirping at varying pitches.

Gears that move the bird. The bird swings its body left and right while simultaneously moving its beak, wings, and tail feathers.

The roof at the top is removable. The small body is packed with intricate mechanics.

The chirping is not electronic. Air is sent through an internal miniature pump and blown through a whistle to produce sound. The pitch changes depending on the size of the whistle's air chamber, reproducing a range of approximately one octave.

A miniature pump and whistle that produce the bird's chirping.

Approximately 50 parts. Many original parts, such as gears and cams, designed specifically for this cuckoo clock.

By assembling each intricate mechanism one by one, you can experience the sense of accomplishment of having built a complex cuckoo clock by hand.

A scene of assembling the kit.

Interchangeable cams allow you to enjoy 5 different bird calls!

The side of the cuckoo clock features "cams" that control the bird's calls. The shape of the cam changes the bird's chirping. There are 5 types of cams included. In addition to 3 types of bird chirps, it includes a bird alarm and a bird melody. You can open the small window on the side and change the cams to suit your mood.

A scene of changing the "cams" that produce the bird's calls.

Includes craft paper to make your own original call cams!

The kit includes craft paper that allows you to create your own bird call cams.

By devising the shape of the cam, you can freely change how the bird chirps. The possibilities are endless, from reproducing your favorite melodies to creating entirely new bird songs.

You can create original cams with the included craft paper.

Three types of hands are included. The clock face can also be customized freely.

Understand the mechanism better with the accompanying booklet

The booklet includes an interview with animal linguist Dr. Toshiki Suzuki. It also features articles that clearly explain the mechanism of the cuckoo clock, modification ideas for enjoying the creation of your own cuckoo clock, and the history of cuckoo clocks. It's a comprehensive content that allows you to delve into the world of mechanisms even after assembling the kit.

Specifications of "Atarashii Hato Dokei"

Finished size: Width 109mm x Depth 108mm x Height 159mm

Weight: 400g (without batteries)

Chirping: Hourly function, chirps once per hour

With light sensor (automatically stops chirping when it gets dark)

Built-in LED: Lights up only while the bird is chirping

Power source: 2 AA alkaline batteries

Installation method: Tabletop clock

A hand-sized cuckoo clock weighing 400g.

A gentle LED light illuminates in sync with the bird's chirping.

[Product Overview]

"Otona no Kagaku Magazine: Atarashii Hato Dokei"

Edited by: Otona no Kagaku Magazine Editorial Department

Price: 10,780 yen (tax included)

Scheduled release date: July 30, 2026

Format: A4 variant

Electronic version: None

ISBN: 978-4-05-750986-0

Published by: Gakken Co., Ltd.

[Details and Reservations Here]

- Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1575098600

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4057509860

- Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18607452/

*Reservations accepted at bookstores nationwide.

Gakken Co., Ltd. (Gakken Inc.)

https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/ - President and Representative Director: Tatsuya Nanjo - Date of incorporation: January 13, 2009 (Name change on October 1, 2022) - Capital: 50 million yen - Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416 - Business activities: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publication content business, business for kindergartens and schools, classroom-related business, EC and online business, advertising business.

GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

https://www.gakken.co.jp/ - President and Representative Director: Hiroaki Miyahara - Date of incorporation: March 31, 1947 - Capital: 19,817 million yen - Sales: 199.1 billion yen, Consolidated subsidiaries: 82 companies (FY2025 September) - Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Securities Code: 9470) - Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8510 - Phone number: 03-6431-1001 (Main) - Business activities: A holding company engaged in education and medical/welfare-related businesses founded in 1946. Education field: Classroom and cram school business, including "Gakken Kyoshitsu" Publishing and content business, including learning materials Business for kindergartens and schools, including textbooks and childcare supplies Medical welfare field: Housing for seniors with services Dementia group home business Childcare support business, including nursery schools and after-school care Global: Activities and business development in over 150 countries

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 製品発表