#queen tower

Harbor Waterfront & Wharf

Location: Zou-no-Hana Breakwater, Port of Yokohama, Japan Timestamp: 18:59 March 15, 2023

Zou-no-Hana Breakwater marks the original location of Japan's first modern international trading port, the Port of Yokohama, established in 1859. The breakwater extends about 160 meters into the bay and provides visitors with a picturesque view of illuminated artwork in the Zou-no-Hana wharf (center).

Additionally, two historically significant buildings are also lit up, namely the Yokohama Customs building (right), also known as Queen's Tower, built in 1934, and the Kanagawa Prefectural Government's Office (left), also known as King's Tower, constructed in 1928. The third tower, Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, named Jack's Tower, erected in 1917, is presently undergoing renovations and is not visible.

Once serving as lighthouses, these three towers hold a special place in the hearts of sailors, who considered them as guardians of their safe voyage to Japan. According to urban legend, sailors felt relieved upon sighting these towers, and over time, they started to regard them as symbols of protection during their journey to Japan.

Long Exposure at Night of Historical Customs Building aka "The Queen" 

The original customs building was destroyed in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and reconstructed in 1934 incorporating a dome fashioned after that of a mosque mixed with Western-European Romanesque elements on the facade and interior. Yokohama  city converted part of the building into a museum where much of the original Romanesque art style with beige porcelain tiles throughout the interior have been preserved reminding us of a time when architectural/artistic aesthetics were just as important as functionality.

Portfolio: https://pix4japan.myportfolio.com