The Ultimate Guide to Yokohama: Japan’s Port City of Culture, Cuisine & Coastal Charm

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Misty Fujii is a Canadian DJ and author who got here to Japan in search of journey and caught round for love. Dwelling life as a bucket listing in progress, she’s as obsessed with sharing her tales as she is experiencing them. She will get enthusiastic about accumulating classic vinyl data, meals from all nations, touring, and renovating her conventional Japanese home. She could be discovered on Instagram @djmisty

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Searching for the last word Yokohama journey information? You’ve discovered it!

In the event you’re a curious traveler, a loyal foodie, a pair craving a romantic escape, or in search of a weekend getaway from Tokyo, Yokohama is looking! Solely about half-hour central Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan’s second greatest metropolis and is a thriving port metropolis the place gleaming skyscrapers stand in harmonious distinction to tranquil seaside parks. It’s additionally house to some critical flavors, between genuine Japanese and thrilling world delicacies (together with Japan’s largest Chinatown!). In the event you’re in search of a classy day journey or laid-back weekend getaway, Yokohama affords the perfect mix of tradition, coast, and funky.

Maintain studying for the last word Yokohama journey information!

About Yokohama: A Snapshot of the Metropolis

Head about half-hour south of Tokyo, and also you’ll discover Yokohama set alongside the scenic shores of Tokyo Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture. This unmistakable metropolis is effortlessly cosmopolitan with an easygoing vibe and a world of allure (and meals!). Generally known as one in all Japan’s first worldwide ports, it continues to hold that world spirit in the present day, full with putting fashionable structure, panoramic bay views, and a meals scene that spans continents. From strolling waterfront promenades to exploring artwork areas and historic districts, Yokohama affords a refreshing mix of tradition, creativity, and concrete nature.

We’ll provide the scoop on all the most effective locations to your Yokohama sightseeing, and also you’ll be capable of take your very personal snapshots!

A Transient Historical past of Yokohama

Again in 1849, Yokohama was only a quiet fishing village with about 100 properties, the place locals made their dwelling supplying fish to close by Edo (what we now know as Tokyo). Quick ahead to in the present day, and it’s a thriving metropolis of over 3.6 million folks, celebrated as one in all Japan’s most worldwide and culturally wealthy city facilities. As one of many first ports to open to international commerce, Yokohama shortly turned a gateway to the West, and that early affect nonetheless shapes the town’s identification. This ends in a cultural fusion, bringing collectively a novel mixture of Meiji-era landmarks, worldwide structure, and the varied communities and meals that Yokohama is thought for in the present day.

Seasonal Highlights in Yokohama

Yokohama is a deal with any time of yr! Learn on to find a few of the highlights you need to go to throughout the time of yr.

Spring

Yokohama throughout the springtime is, after all, highlighted by stunning cherry blossoms. Yamashita Park and Sankeien Backyard are two of the most well-liked cherry blossom sightseeing spots, and followers of flowers gained’t need to miss the Yokohama Backyard Necklace. This seasonal flower occasion highlights Yokohama’s finest gardens and parks.

Summer time

Summer time is scorching, however Yokohama feels festive. Get pleasure from being in a port metropolis by indulging in out of doors eating, harbor cruises, and fireworks unfold out over the water. Yokohama hosts festivals all through the summer season, together with the continuing Yokohama Evening Flowers (previously referred to as Yokohama Glowing Twilight) occasion with glittering fireworks and boat parades.

Autumn

If the summer season warmth is just too intense for you, Autumn is a perfect time for strolling excursions because of the cooler temperatures. Pair a stunning stroll with the autumn leaves that fill the town’s parks, and also you’ve received an ideal getaway.

Winter

Winter may be probably the most stunning time to go to Yokohama. Town fills with festive lights, together with the Yokohama Illumination occasion and the Crimson Brick Warehouse Christmas Market. With fewer crowds, cozy cafes, and winter gross sales abound, Yokohama is a delightfully heat place to spend the chilly season.

Prime Issues to Do in Yokohama

The place will you go sightseeing in Yokohama first?

1. Minato Mirai 21

Minato Mirai 21 means “harbor of the longer term” and is Yokohama’s smooth, waterfront district. Residence to the enduring Landmark Tower, one in all Japan’s tallest buildings, this full of life space is filled with issues to do. You’ll discover trendy procuring facilities, museums, lush parks, and family-friendly enjoyable like the enormous Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel and a seaside amusement park. With scorching spring spas, motels, and even a conference heart, Minato Mirai 21 is the right spot to loosen up, discover, and soak up Yokohama’s environment.

Web site: Mirato Mirai 21

2. Yokohama Chinatown

I already talked about Japan’s largest Chinatown, and for good cause! Yokohama’s Chinatown isn’t simply Japan’s largest, it’s some of the vibrant on this planet. With over 600 outlets and eating places, it’s a foodie paradise recognized for mouthwatering dim sum and genuine Chinese language flavors. Colourful gates, glowing lanterns, and dazzling storefronts make each step really feel like a unique world. Whether or not you’re chasing the right chew or the right picture, this neighborhood is a must-visit for some unbelievable Chinatown meals.

Web site: Yokohama Chinatown

3. Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park is Yokohama’s basic seaside escape. Stretching gracefully alongside Yokohama’s waterfront, it’s a proud landmark as Japan’s first coastal park and affords an idyllic embrace proper in entrance of the bustling port. Stroll previous historic ships, catch a avenue efficiency, or just loosen up with the ocean breeze as a result of this laid-back spot is ideal for a peaceable afternoon by the bay.

Web site: Yamashita Park

4. Osanbashi Pier

Osanbashi Pier is Yokohama’s smooth and fashionable gateway to the world, making it a favourite spot for vacationers and locals. Completely positioned between Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park, this main worldwide cruise terminal welcomes ships from throughout the globe. Its spacious rooftop deck affords the most effective panoramic views of the town skyline and Tokyo Bay. Plus, with cafes, outlets, and scenic walkways, it’s a classy vacation spot in itself.

Web site: Osanbashi Pier

5. Crimson Brick Warehouse

Previously Yokohama Bay’s customs inspection home within the Twenties, the Crimson Brick Warehouse has been superbly reimagined into one of many metropolis’s most beloved hangouts. These putting historic buildings now home distinctive outlets, cafes, and eating places good for an off-the-cuff date or a household day trip. Set proper on the bay, the environment is as scenic as it’s full of life, particularly throughout seasonal occasions just like the Oktoberfest beer pageant, winter Christmas market and skating rink, and summer season live shows.

Web site: Crimson Brick Warehouse

6. Yokohama Cosmoworld

You may’t miss the enormous Ferris wheel in Yokohama’s skyline, a part of Yokohama Cosmoworld! Positioned within the coronary heart of Minato Mirai, this compact amusement park affords massive thrills with no entry payment; you simply pay for the rides you need. It’s well-known for its colourful Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel and a curler coaster that dives dramatically via a splash-filled water tunnel, making it a enjoyable and photo-worthy cease for all ages.

Web site: Yokohama Cosmoworld

For extra issues to do, try our article about the most effective issues to do in Yokohama!

What to Eat in Yokohama: Native Meals & In style Dishes

When in Yokohama, you need to eat and eat and eat! Listed below are a few of our prime suggestions:

Regional Highlights

Homestyle Ramen: Yokohama’s legendary ramen encompasses a particular broth that blends Hakata-style pork soup with Tokyo’s rooster soy model. be sure that to strive Yoshimura, its the origin of the deep community of iekei (homestyle) ramen!

Pork Katsu: Crispy and juicy, you’ll discover fried pork cutlets at informal eateries throughout the town.

Cafe Elliott Avenue: Maybe a hats-off to the shared port tradition, this Seattle-style specialty espresso store is thought for espresso, elaborate lattes, and sweets. Do NOT overlook to strive their dry cappuccino- take it from a espresso nerd, it’s virtually unimaginable to search out one thing related elsewhere round Tokyo!

Chinatown Bites

Xiao Lengthy Bao (soup dumplings): Strive one of many space’s signature choices for the last word Chinatown meals.

Char Xiu Bao (meat bun): This savory, fluffy bun is to die for, don’t miss out!

Zhi ma (Sesame balls): These doughy bites lined in sesame seeds are an incredible snack and just a bit on the candy aspect

Fruit Sweet: Fruit like strawberries lined in laborious sugar, cant go improper!

The place to Keep in Yokohama: Neighborhoods & Inns

Questioning the place to remain in Yokohama? Learn on!

Greatest Areas to Keep

Selecting the place to remain can actually form your Yokohama journey. Listed below are a number of common neighborhoods that can assist you select the most effective space for you.

Minato Mirai

Fashionable, scenic, and energetic, this bayside district is right for {couples} and luxurious vacationers. With loads of eating places, sights, open house, and beautiful waterfront views, it’s some of the handy and classy locations to remain in Yokohama.

Kannai

Simply subsequent door to Minato Mirai, Kannai blends historical past and tradition with seaside allure. Discover the historic streets of Bashamichi, stroll via Chinatown, or loosen up in Yamashita Park. It’s additionally nice for nightlife and scenic night walks alongside the harbor.

Yokohama Station Space

This space is a prime decide for households and vacationers, good for comfort and connectivity. It’s a sensible and enjoyable base for any journey with direct prepare entry to Tokyo, infinite procuring, and close by sights just like the Anpanman Kids’s Museum.

Really helpful Lodging

Like wherever in Japan, Yokohama affords all kinds of motels and lodging varieties. In the event you’re questioning the place to remain in Yokohama, there’s someplace for everybody!

Lodge New Grand

The Lodge New Grand has a stupendous outdated, Western-style constructing and an incredible location. With elegant rooms and timeless decorations, you’ll really feel proper again within the Nineteen Thirties and the time of Charlie Chaplin and Babe Ruth (who each visited the resort earlier than!). One other massive perk is that this resort is adjoining to the busiest and most linked prepare stations.

The Westin Yokohama

The Westin Yokohama is new and stylish. Positioned within the coronary heart of Yokohama, the Minato Mirai space, you’ll be located just some minutes away from the water and Yokohama’s major sights. Not solely will you get nice views of the bay, however the lounge on the twenty third flooring additionally permits you to see Mount Fuji within the distance!

Yokohama After Darkish: Bars, Nightlife & Night Enjoyable

Probably the greatest issues a couple of massive metropolis like Yokohama is that there’s as a lot to do at evening as throughout the day! If nightlife calls, listed here are the spots to discover Yokohama’s nightlife.

Noge District

Only a brief stroll from the fashionable glow of Minato Mirai, Noge seems like moving into a unique world. Slender alleys are filled with cozy izakayas, tiny bars, and retro allure. Suppose Shinjuku’s Golden Gai-style vibes, however with Yokohama’s personal twist.

Bashamichi

Bashamichi is a avenue with an enchanting historical past. It was right here that Japan first encountered the glow of gaslights, the shade of boulevard timber, the delight of ice cream, and a lot extra from the West. Lit by old school lamps, Bashamichi blends the previous and current with trendy craft beer spots, sake bars, and vibrant nightlife with a noticeable Western affect.

Motomachi & Yamate

For a quieter, extra refined evening out, head south of Chinatown into an space with European allure. This stylish district is thought for upscale procuring by day and complicated jazz bars and cocktail lounges by evening. It’s the right place for these seeking to sip one thing elegant in a extra relaxed, romantic setting.

Souvenirs from Yokohama

In the event you’re in search of the right souvenirs from Yokohama, listed here are our recommendations.

Yokohama Silk

The Yokohama Silk Museum is a testomony to Yokohama’s wealthy historical past of constructing silk, notably for kimonos and scarves. As soon as a worldwide export, you’ll nonetheless discover silk in specialty outlets the place you should purchase your personal scarf or kimono to take house and treasure.

Western-style Sweets

Because of Yokohama’s legacy of worldwide commerce, it turned a hub for scrumptious Western-style sweets like cookies, desserts, and candies. Right this moment, a number of confectionery outlets function their distinctive Western-style sweets.

Cute Stationery

Japan is thought for its cute, sensible, and high-quality stationery, and many could be present in Yokohama. Shops like Yurindo and Yoshida in Motomachi have an enormous choice. Or, if you happen to’d desire one thing from native manufacturers, head to the Crimson Brick Warehouse for some procuring.

Subcultures & Metropolis Character

Yokohama’s tradition and metropolis character stem from a number of issues. Whether or not you’re after the Yokohama nightlife or trying out the town’s worldwide affect, let’s dig in:

Jazz Scene

If you wish to try the Yokohama nightlife scene, jazz might not be the primary music style you consider in relation to Japan, however jazz is what you’re after! Consider it or not, Yokohama has long-standing ties to jazz. Because of an extended historical past of ocean liners coming into Yokohama, touring musicians usually discovered themselves in Yokohama’s bars and golf equipment and a complete music subculture was born right here. So if jazz music is your scene, try a few of the metropolis’s reside homes and annual jazz occasions just like the annual Yokohama Jazz Promenade, which hosts over 2000 musicians.

Maritime Heritage

Since Yokohama is a port metropolis and because of being one in all Japan’s first (and largest!) worldwide ports, the town’s maritime heritage is a robust affect on native identification, from museums to themed cafes. And if you happen to love ships and ship watching, Yokohama is the place to be!

Worldwide Fusion

With its Western-style bakeries, structure, and worldwide occasions, Yokohama has a novel world aptitude. Typically referred to as the birthplace of contemporary tradition in Japan, it’s house to many nationwide “firsts,” together with the primary newspaper, tennis courtroom, horse racing observe, and even ice cream! Strolling via the town, you’ll get an enchanting glimpse into how Western influences first arrived in Japan and the way the Japanese made them distinctly their very own. It’s the right place to expertise this cultural mix in motion.

Hidden Gems in Yokohama

In the event you like exploring off the overwhelmed path, listed here are some spots to do some Yokohama sightseeing that you just gained’t discover in a primary journey information:

1. Negishi Forest Park

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, this sprawling inexperienced house is one in all Yokohama’s most ignored and best-kept secrets and techniques. As soon as Japan’s first Western-style horse racing observe turned a U.S. army golf course earlier than being reworked right into a public park in 1977. Right this moment, it’s an city oasis with expansive lawns, scenic strolling paths, a pond, and an remark deck providing views of Mt. Fuji and Landmark Tower on clear days.

Web site: Negishi Forest Park

2. Iseyama Kotai Shrine

A serene escape hidden in plain sight, this historic shrine sits atop a hill overlooking Minato Mirai. In-built 1870 and devoted to the Shinto solar goddess Amaterasu, it’s thought of one in all Yokohama’s non secular “energy spots.” Whereas it attracts crowds at New 12 months’s, the remainder of the yr it’s a quiet spot to admire cherry blossoms, stroll peacefully, and soak within the calm environment.

Web site: Iseyama Kotai Shrine

3. Yamate Bluff District

Step again on this elegant hillside neighborhood as soon as house to Yokohama’s early international residents. Generally known as “The Bluff,” Yamate is lined with well-preserved Western-style homes, free-to-enter heritage buildings, scenic gardens, and quaint cafes. It’s a stunning space to wander, loosen up, and luxuriate in a quieter aspect of Yokohama wealthy in allure and historical past.

Day Journeys from Yokohama

In the event you’ve made Yokohama your property base and need to discover past, listed here are some day journeys value making:

Kamakura

Step again in time in Kamakura, a historic seaside city as soon as Japan’s capital. Well-known for its towering Nice Buddha, historical shrines, and seasonal flowers, it’s the right mixture of tradition and nature. Don’t overlook to walk the seashore or surf, particularly within the hotter months.