At the time it was completed, the Yokohama Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan, and it still doesn't look out of place in this country steeped in traditional mores, traditional lifestyles, and traditional architecture. Its 70-story form echoes certain elements of traditional temples, most notably the distinct flared corners and elegant slopes. But the designers sought to emulate a much more important feature of these ancient buildings: their resistance to earthquakes. The Landmark Tower's skeleton is flexible in order to withstand the dozens of earthquakes the region shudders through each week. Because of its size, the imposing structure is also home to the world's fastest elevators. At 28 MPH they can whisk passengers to the 69th floor observatory in just 40 seconds.

Image courtesy of Eric Seaholm

Image courtesy Saam Shabahang.