The tallest skyscraper in Yokohama City and the second tallest in Japan has 73 floors and the second-fastest elevator in the world. It can take you from the first floor to the roof in just 24 seconds as it was designed to overcome 749 meters per minute. The magnificent example of modern urban architecture with a height of 296 meters was named the Yokohama Landmark Tower. The tower has, indeed, become the city's main landmark and one of the most popular, among foreign tourists, attractions. Covering an area of about 400,000 square meters and costing more than $2.5 billion, the majestic building attracts travelers from around the world not only with its futuristic appearance, which serves as a spectacular background for photographs, but also the highest observation deck in Japan.

The world-famous Japanese tower was built by the famous American architect Hugh Stubbins in 1993. It is located in one of the most prestigious areas of the city called «Minato Mirai 21», which means «Port of the Future [in] the 21[st century]»  in Japanese, across from another tourist attraction, the Yokohama Museum of Art.

The first 5 floors are occupied by more than 150 public establishments, including world brands boutiques and restaurants of popular cuisines of the world. Upstairs, there are the offices of major Japanese companies and a luxurious five-star hotel with 600 rooms. The top of this monumental building houses a huge 360-degree observation deck Sky Garden, which offers an amazing, breathtaking, picturesque view not only of the city but also the active sacred volcano Mount Fuji and the majestic Pacific Ocean.

There are three underground floors in the lower part of the building, where today you can still see the remains of the oldest stone docks in Japan. They were used to build and repair merchant ships in the 19th century.

The grandiose, staggeringly large building is part of a global project to expand Yokohama's port area that the Japanese government has envisioned. One can only hope to return to this city again and see the entire colossal project in full.