Memories of Ibaraki: Working in a high-rise

I had already been to many high-rise buildings before I lived in Ibaraki Prefecture, but my time in Mito City was the only time I have ever worked on a top floor of a skyscraper. Briefly visiting a Shibuya high-rise or going up Tokyo Tower is one thing, but riding an elevator up for minutes every day for work is completely different.

My workplace was on the 22nd floor of a building - the Ibaraki Prefectural Government Building, "Kencho" - with 25 floors above ground and two floors below it. I remember being very nervous about working on the 22nd floor in earthquake prone Japan! And I will never forget the first time I experienced an earthquake on the 22nd floor of a building. The building literally swayed from side to side. I imagine from the outside it looked much like the photo of this post!

During my time there, we once had to evacuate the building via the stairs for what I think was a fire drill. I was young and fit back then, so while it was tiring, I was more than up to the task. In fact, after that day, I went through a phase of intentionally taking the stairs all the way up to the 22nd floor just to stay in shape. I can’t imagine doing that now!

Have you ever worked on one of the top floors of a skyscraper?