Landmark Tower and Sky Garden Observatory, Yokohama (must see)

The Yokohama Landmark Tower is a well-known landmark in the Yokohama skyline, noted for being the third tallest building and the fifth tallest structure in Japan. It stands at a height of 296.3 meters (972 feet) and dominates the Minato Mirai 21 district, conveniently located near the Yokohama Museum of Art. Until 2014, it held the title of Japan's tallest building until it was surpassed by Abeno Harukas, showcasing its iconic status.

This skyscraper serves multiple functions, housing a luxurious five-star hotel spanning floors 49 to 70, offering 603 rooms for discerning guests. The lower floors feature various shops, restaurants, clinics, and offices, ensuring a diverse range of amenities for visitors and tenants. The building's stability is maintained by two tuned mass dampers on the 71st floor, crucial for mitigating seismic activity and wind-induced sway.

A major attraction of the Yokohama Landmark Tower is the Sky Garden Observatory on the 69th floor, providing a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Yokohama city and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Viewing the city from this height offers unparalleled visuals, captivating visitors regardless of the time of day. The observatory is photographer-friendly, allowing the use of lens hoods and tripods. However, the windows for viewing Mount Fuji are not ideally positioned, making sunset a popular time for glimpsing the iconic peak.

The tower also boasts the world's fastest elevators, which reach the 69th floor in just 40 seconds, minimizing wait times and enhancing the visitor experience. The design and construction of the Yokohama Landmark Tower were a collaboration between Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei and KlingStubbins, reflecting both innovative engineering and aesthetic design.