About
On Kaigan-dori, where the sea breeze of Yokohama Port gently blows, stands a particularly eye-catching building. The verdigris dome that stands out against its white exterior walls exudes an elegance reminiscent of a palace in a foreign land. This building is the Yokohama Customs Main Office, affectionately known as the “Queen’s Tower.”
Completed in 1934 (Showa 9), this office building was constructed to replace its predecessor, which had collapsed in the Great Kanto Earthquake. The design was handled by the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Finance’s Bureau of Building and Property Management, and is characterized by a design reminiscent of Islamic architecture. Initially, the height of the tower was planned to be 47 meters, but there is an anecdote that the customs director at the time expressed the opinion that “if this is to be the customs office at Yokohama Port, the gateway to Japan, it should be taller,” and so the final height was changed to 51 meters. (yokohama.osusumewa.jp)
This office, along with the Kanagawa Prefectural Government Main Building (King) and the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (Jack), is known as one of the “Yokohama Three Towers” and has become a symbol of Yokohama Port. There is also an urban legend that if you visit spots where you can see all three towers at once, your wish will come true, and many people enjoy the scenery. (yokohama-3toh.info)
On the first floor of the office building, there is an exhibition room called “Queen’s Plaza,” where the history of Yokohama Port and customs, the evolution of trade, and smuggling techniques are introduced through actual exhibits and videos. Here, visitors can learn about the role and importance of customs, offering new discoveries to those who visit. (artnavi.yokohama)
At night, the Queen’s Tower is illuminated, and its beautiful figure stands out against the dark night. In winter, sodium lamps create a warm atmosphere, while in summer, metal halide lamps give it a cool appearance, showing different expressions throughout the seasons. (yokohama.osusumewa.jp)
Having walked alongside the history of Yokohama Port, the Queen’s Tower continues to captivate visitors with its graceful appearance even today. Its presence quietly watches over the port as a symbol connecting Yokohama’s past, present, and future.