Discover Yokohama: Japan's Second City Awaits!
Top Activities to Explore in Yokohama: A Must-Visit Destination in Japan
Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, is just a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo and boasts a population of around 3 million. This bustling port city offers a multitude of experiences, from beautiful gardens and unique museums to delicious food, spectacular seaside views, and vibrant neighborhoods. So, is Yokohama worth a visit? You bet your cherry blossoms it is! Let's dive into our favorite spots and help you decide for yourself.
Getting To Yokohama
nav|align=center|--|--||Travel Method|Description||Train|Direct connections from major Tokyo stations like Shibuya take approximately 30 minutes to Yokohama Station. Most trains accept the JR Pass!|
Getting Around Yokohama
nav|align=center|--|--||Transport Option|Details||---|---||Buses|Bus fares are ¥220 (adult), ¥110 (children) per ride. You can also opt for day passes like the Minato Burari Ticket for ¥500 (adult) or ¥250 (children) that offer unlimited rides on subways and buses within designated areas.||Akai Kutsu Loop Bus|Covering major sightseeing spots, this bus is a convenient option for visiting popular attractions like Minato Mirai, Chinatown, Yamashita Park, and Harbor View Park.||Burari Bus|Operating on three routes, these buses start at Yokohama Station and take you to Sankeien Garden (S route), Akarenga Warehouse (A route), and Nogeyama Zoo (N route). Only the N route operates daily while the S and A routes operate only on weekends and holidays.|
Sankeien Garden
This traditional Japanese garden, once a private property of Hara Sankei, showcases beautiful buildings, ponds, creeks, and trails. Hara, a wealthy industrialist, transported 17 historic buildings from Kyoto to this garden. These buildings, now serving as tea houses, offer the chance to enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and green tea.
Getting to Sankeien GardenTake bus #8 or 148 from Yokohama Station East Exit or Sakuragicho Station, and alight at Sankeien-Iriguchi. Then, it's a short 5-minute walk to the entrance.
Yokohama's Chinatown
Chinatown in Yokohama is the largest and most famous in Japan, spanning only 250,000 square meters yet housing over 600 shops. Here, you can find sophisticated Chinese cuisine, affordable restaurants tucked away in narrow alleys, and even street food like steamed pork buns and soup dumplings.
Getting to Yokohama's ChinatownTake a short walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line, or hop on the Akaikutsu Loop Bus from Sakuragicho Station for ¥220 per ride or ¥500 for a day pass.
Red Brick Warehouse (akarenga)
This former customs inspection house, built in the early 1920s, has been transformed into a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. It attracts tourists for its unique events like ice skating in the winter, live concerts during the summer, and beer festivals in the autumn. In Christmas time, a large Christmas market brings in throngs of people to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
How to Reach the Red Brick Warehouse
- 6-minute walk from Bashamichi Station or Nihon Odori Station
- 12-minute walk from Minato Mirai Station
- The Akaikutsu Loop Bus stops right in front of the Red Brick Warehouse
Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier
Spanning 750 meters along Yokohama's waterfront, Yamashita Park opened in 1930 and features expansive grass fields, a rose garden, various statues, and fountains. The park, often bustling with people, offers stunning views of Yokohama Bay.
Highlights in Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier
Hikawa Maru
A big ship named after the star Hikawa, Hikawa Maru connected Yokohama to the west coast of Canada and the USA since 1930. After retirement in 1960, it serves as a museum today.
Open: 10am - 5pm (closed on Monday)Admission fee: ¥300
Osanbashi Pier
The promenade in Yamashita Park leads to the international passenger terminal, Osanbashi Pier, offering breathtaking views of the Minato Mirai skyline and Yokohama Bay Bridge.
How to Reach Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier
Yakashita Park is a 5-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station, while the Akaikutsu Loop Bus stops at Osanbashi Pier passenger terminal & Yamashita Park.
Yokohama Landmark Tower
Standing 296 meters tall, the Landmark Tower was Japan's tallest until 2012, housing offices, shops, restaurants, a hotel, and the Sky Garden observatory deck.
Sky Garden
The observatory deck of the Landmark Tower, located on the 69th floor, can be accessed by taking the world's second-fastest elevator. Sky Garden offers panoramic views of Minato Mirai and Yokohama City, evenMount Fuji on a clear day. Night views are also magical!
How to Reach the Landmark Tower
- 3-minute walk from Minato Mirai Station
- 5-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station
Noge / Nogecho Area
Nicknamed the "Champs-Élysées of Yokohama," Noge is a neighborhood famous for its nightlife and entertainment. Wander through the narrow, lantern-lit streets and sample local dishes like Yokohama-style hayashi beef stew, accompanied by sake or highballs.
Cupnooodles Museum
The unique Cupnooodles Museum, operated by Nissin Food, offers exhibitions showcasing instant ramen noodle products from around the world, including space ramen for astronauts. The most popular part of the museum is the My CUPNOODLES Factory workshop, where visitors can create their own instant noodles.
How to Reach the Cupnooodles Museum
- 10-minute walk from Minato Mirai Station
Ramen Museum
Located near Shin-Yokohama Station, the Shinkansen station, this museum offers a unique attraction focused on ramen. Here, you can learn about ramen history, observe different regions' noodle-making styles, and taste mini ramen servings from various restaurants.
How to Reach the Ramen Museum
- 5-minute walk from Shin-Yokohama Station
- From Yokohama Station, take the JR Yokohama Line or Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line (approximately 15 minutes)
Sea Bass
Discover Yokohama Bay by boat with companies like Sea Bass, which connect Yokohama Station East Exit, Minato Mirai 21, Red Brick Warehouse, and Yamashita Park with departures every 15 minutes between 10.15am and 8.10pm.
Yokohama Stadium
Home of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars baseball team, Yokohama Stadium has undergone renovations since 2017 and can now accommodate over 34,000 spectators. Besides baseball games, the stadium also hosts concerts and other events.
How to Reach Yokohama Stadium
- 2-minute walk from Kannai Station
- 3-minute walk from Nihon Odori Station
Zoorasia
One of Japan's largest and best-kept zoos, Zoorasia offers eight different areas recreating animals' natural habitats, featuring over 2,600 animals across 400 species.
How to Reach Zoorasia
Depending on your starting point, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Zoorasia via train and bus, with the closest station being Yokohama Dobutsuen.
Where to Stay in Yokohama
Deciding where to stay in Yokohama can be challenging due to numerous popular areas and attractions along the seaside. Here are some hotel suggestions:
- The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu: A luxury hotel with stunning bay views
- Hotel New Grand: A beautiful, old-style building offering a great location
- Guest House FUTARENO: A smaller guest house located in Nogecho neighborhood
Yokohama offers a wide range of attractions suitable for various interests, from cultural and historical sites to entertainment venues and breathtaking natural landscapes. Its proximity to Tokyo makes it an ideal destination for both day trips and extended stays, providing a different yet equally enriching experience compared to the capital city. So, pack your bags, and let's explore Yokohama!
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- Exploring Yokohama's rich tapestry of events spans from ice skating in the winter at the Red Brick Warehouse, live concerts during the summer, and beer festivals in the autumn.
- After marveling at the attractions, satisfying your appetite with local delicacies like Yokohama-style hayashi beef stew and ramen at the Noge neighborhood or the Ramen Museum.
- To delve deeper into Japanese culture, visit Sankeien Garden, a traditional Japanese garden showcasing historical buildings from Kyoto and serving traditional sweets and tea.
- Shopping enthusiasts will find a myriad of stores in Minato Mirai area, while those interested in customs can explore the Yokohama Museum of Art or Red Brick Warehouse, once a customs inspection house.
- For those looking to immerse themselves in the history of Yokohama, museums such as Hikawa Maru and the Cupnooodles Museum offer fascinating exhibits.
- Sports fans can catch a baseball game at the Yokohama Stadium, home of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, or take a boat tour of Yokohama Bay with companies like Sea Bass.
- Travelers seeking a unique shopping experience can find it at the Akarenga Warehouse or the expansive Chinatown, with its over 600 shops and affordable restaurants.
- After a day of exploration, unwind at hotels like The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu, Hotel New Grand, or Guest House FUTARENO, all offering distinctive experiences and convenient locations.
