Yokohama Landmark Tower
After meeting up with a pair of my friends that were also visiting Japan, we went to the Yokohama Landmark Tower in Minatomirai.
We were taken to the Sky Garden on the 69th floor (Observation Room) in a lift that travels at 750 meters per minute. It’s Japan’s fastest elevator. I honestly thought that my ears were going to explode. The whole trip from the 2nd to 69th floor took about 40 seconds.
Looking out of the tower was amazing. We could see for miles around, and even the biggest buildings looked tiny. From the ground, the Yokohama Cosmo Clock wheel looks about the same height as the Landmark Tower, but from above it would appear to be not even half of that.
I was surprised to find out that most of Yokohama’s bay area is built on man-made islands. I had been walking around Minatomirai for days, and it never occurred to me that I was always standing on perfectly flat ground.
Can you spot the BayStars stadium?
Minatomirai Daybreak
Early in the morning, the harbour at Minatomirai is a beautiful and serene place.
Junko and I sat on a bench and ate breakfast whilst looking out to sea and enjoying the fresh air. A cool breeze was blowing; an occasional boat horn punctuated the ambience of birdsong and slow waves. Even the machinic whine of cicada fell gracefully into the harbour sonata.
The sound of insects was something that struck me immediately when I first came to Japan. At first I found the noise annoying; however, on this morning it had an enjoyable quality. It felt calming to hear a natural sound so full of energy yet contrasting the ceaseless footfall and engine noise of the city not far behind us.
It’s not just Japan as a whole that inspires me – I’m starting to really like Yokohama.
Tsunashima Bridge
I was told that the river in Tsunashima is one of the most dirty rivers in Japan. To be honest, it looks fine to me, and local fisherman didn’t mind fishing there either.
The area is beautiful at night – even the fluro signs on the building look nice on the surface of the water.
I love Tsunashima! ^^
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