Perched atop the iconic Landmark Tower, Yokohama’s Sky Garden offers an unparalleled perspective of the sprawling port city and beyond. For photographers, this observatory is more than a viewpoint; it’s a destination designed with your lens in mind. From its tripod policy to clever solutions for reducing window glare, the Sky Garden provides an exceptional canvas for capturing breathtaking sunsets and glittering nightscapes. If you’re in Tokyo, the forty-minute journey to this spot is an investment that pays in stunning images.
The Sky Garden is on the 69th floor of the Yokohama Landmark Tower, Japan’s third-tallest building. Reaching this impressive height of 296.3 meters is an experience in itself. The tower’s high-speed elevators whisk you to the observatory in a mere forty seconds, delivering you to a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.
The views are captivating at any time of day. Whether you’re bathed in the bright light of morning or watching the city lights begin to twinkle at dusk, the scenery is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Even without a camera, the sheer scale of the vista makes it a must-see attraction for any visitor.
One of the most welcoming aspects of the Sky Garden is its photographer-friendly policies. Unlike many observation decks, the use of tripods and lens hoods is permitted. That allows you to achieve sharp, professional-quality shots.
A thoughtful feature is strategically placed blinds. The staff draw them in certain areas after sunset to block reflections from the interior shop lights, reducing glare on the windows. While not a perfect solution, this simple act makes a remarkable difference when capturing the cityscape at night.
The observatory itself is spacious, with large, wide windows that offer unobstructed views. A minor drawback is that the windows are vertical, which can make it slightly challenging to photograph the scene directly below. However, this is a small detail in an otherwise outstanding experience.
For many, the main event is capturing Mount Fuji at sunset. The prime viewing area for this is in front of the Sky Cafe, which has reserved seating along the windows. This spot is extremely popular, so be mindful that setting up a tripod here will obstruct the view for others. Please be considerate and shoot handheld.
The expansive view includes numerous landmarks:
Here is the building on a Google map:
Yokohama Landmark Tower’s Sky Garden is an essential destination for any photographer. With its welcoming policies and breathtaking vistas in every direction, it promises countless opportunities for stunning images. The incredible view of Mount Fuji alone makes it a worthy addition to your photography bucket list. Don’t miss the chance to capture one of Japan’s most spectacular cityscapes.
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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