The Yokohama Landmark Tower is a 296.3-meter (972 ft), 73-story skyscraper that held the title of Japan’s tallest building from its opening in 1993 until 2014. Located in the vibrant Minato Mirai 21 district next to the Yokohama Museum of Art, it functions as a multi-use complex including offices, a five-story shopping mall called Landmark Plaza, and the luxurious Yokohama Royal Park Hotel on floors 49–70.

Visitors can ascend to the Sky Garden Observation Deck on the 69th floor, 273 meters above ground, for breathtaking 360-degree views of Yokohama Port, the city, Tokyo, and on clear days, Mount Fuji.

Engineering Feats and Historical Context:

• Speed: The tower has Japan’s fastest elevators, traveling at 750 meters per minute (approx. 45 km/h), reaching the Sky Garden in under 40 seconds.

• Safety: Its earthquake-resistant design draws inspiration from the flexible damping system in traditional five-story Japanese pagodas.

• Dockyard Garden: At the base, the 19th-century stone dock has been preserved and now serves as a cultural event space.

• JR Negishi Line or Yokohama Municipal Subway: Get off at Sakuragicho Station, then a 5-minute walk via escalators.

• Minato Mirai Line: Get off at Minatomirai Station (Exit 5), approximately a 5-minute walk.

• Visit the Sky Garden before its temporary closure after December 31, 2025, for renovations lasting until 2028.

• Nearby attractions include Nippon Maru Maritime Museum, Cup Noodles Museum, and Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.

• Evening visits provide spectacular city lights and skyline photography opportunities.

Opening Time:

• Sky Garden Observation Deck: 10:00–21:00 (Saturdays 10:00–22:00, open year-round)

• Landmark Tower Shops: 11:00–20:00

• Hotel bars & restaurants (e.g., 70th floor) often open until 23:00 or midnight

Admission Fee:

• Adults: ¥1,000

• Seniors (65+) & high school students: ¥800

• Junior high & elementary students: ¥500

• Children (4+): ¥200