Marine Tower
If this scene speaks to you, prints and downloads are available:・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses・Explore gifts and merchandiseA Waterfront Landmark Enjoyed with Spring Flowers
春の花とともに楽しむ港のランドマーク
The Port of Yokohama built this tower in 1961 to commemorate its centennial, making it the tallest lighthouse in the world at the time, standing at 106 meters (348 feet). It held this title until 2008.
I first visited the top of the tower in 1984, when it featured an aviary just below the lantern room. Exotic birds flew freely inside, creating a surprisingly serene atmosphere high above the city. In 2009, the tower underwent major renovations in celebration of the port’s 150th anniversary.
The aviary was replaced with an observation deck, now enhanced by light shows in the evenings. The first through fourth floors house restaurants, gift shops, and even a wedding hall. The tower’s iconic red-and-white stripes were repainted in a sleek silver finish, giving it a more contemporary look. It’s also fitted with LED strips and floodlights capable of illuminating the tower in a palette of 12 colors.
The upper observation deck is roughly equivalent to the 30th floor of a high-rise, offering panoramic views of Yamashita Park, the historic Hikawa Maru ocean liner, and the Minatomirai waterfront district. On clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji’s silhouette about 125 kilometers (76 miles) to the west.
In this shot, I was struck by the visual contrast between the lush flowers in full bloom against the steel and glass of modern Yokohama. Spring is an especially rewarding time to visit Yamashita Park, when the city hosts its annual “Garden Necklace Yokohama” festival. During this event, seasonal flowers bloom across small and large parks throughout the city, making it a paradise for garden lovers and photographers alike.
Location: Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Japan
Timestamp: 2025/05/28・12:25
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/11
Classic Chrome film simulation
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