ust under an hour on the subway from central Tokyo, the port city of Yokohama is a welcome break from the busy streets of the capital with its relaxed environment, wide open spaces, and a harbor side where it’s almost too easy to lose your worries and stresses as you stroll or cycle along.
Whatever your purpose of the visit is — from sightseeing to shopping to fancy eating or street food and chatting along the ocean — Yokohama has more than enough to keep you busy. With the biggest and most celebrated Chinatown in East Asia (aside from China itself, of course), there is also a surprising amount of varied and inviting culture, food and history here to explore.
As a quiet sister city to Tokyo, Yokohama is a fantastic place to visit and get to know.
Yokohama’s History and Background
Neighboring Kamakura (another excellent day trip from Tokyo), Kawasaki and Tokyo, Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. With a population of 3.8 million (the second largest in Japan after Tokyo), it has one of the most culturally varied and exciting histories of any city in Japan.
Once a small fishing village, Yokohama’s roots in trade, fishing and naval practices have made it one of Japan’s major commercial hubs. The city has been used for trade for centuries—with silk being one of the major traded goods.
It was established as the city of Yokohama in 1889 through the amalgamation of Kanagawa and Yokohama. Although many people imagine Osaka as the second largest city in Japan, Yokohama actually took over due to a considerable increase in population after 1960.
Recently, Yokohama has been thriving with development and opportunity with the major urban development of Minato Mirai 21 in 1983, the first public operation of Maglev train in Japan in 1989, hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2002, and most recently, serving as one of the 12 cities to host the Japan Rugby World Cup 2019, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics for baseball and softball.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Yokohama
There’s so much to do in this port city, whether it be something modern or traditional.
Although wonderful in the day, this urban harborside area really comes into its own at night. The dynamic view of skyscrapers and the symbols of Yokohama like the Landmark Tower, a 296-meter skyscraper filled with shops and dining, Queen’s Square, the Nippon Maru Museum Ship and the massive Ferris wheel, Cosmo Clock 21, are all illuminated beautifully against the water. You can also get an amazing birds-eye view of the area from the Sky Garden in the Landmark Tower. Or, visit Osanbashi Pier to get a great shot of the whole Minato Mirai skyline from below.
Those looking for a day spent in nature can head over to Sankeien Garden, a traditional Japanese garden once home to Tomitaro Sankei Hara, a wealthy silk merchant. Opened in 1906 and famously featuring a three-story pagoda (which was originally based in Tokyo and moved here in 1914) high up on a hill within the garden, this garden is a picture of beauty whatever the season but, of course, is particularly stunning during the cherry blossom and fall season. As you stroll through the park, you’ll encounter bridges, small waterfalls, streams, bamboo groves and ponds. You can also visit the original house that Hara and his family lived in.
Admission fee: ¥900
Tucked away between Yamashita Park and Chinatown is the quaint and unusual Yokohama Doll Museum, filled with dolls, both static and animatronic. Half the dolls on display are from different periods in Japanese history, and the other half are from every continent on Earth. It’s a fascinating way to spend a few hours. Despite it being hidden, you won’t miss the doll statues outside leading you in.
Admission fee: ¥400
See this article for our complete list of Top 10 Places to Visit in Yokohama.
Where to Eat
When it comes to eating, Yokohama should be on your top list. This city literally has all the variety, flavors, moods and plates you can ever call for. Be it at a shopping mall or just down the road, Yokohama is a truly international food paradise.
Yokohama Chinatown is located a few minutes walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station, and it takes the cake for variety. Not just a place for buying great souvenirs and eating Chinese food, the area has grown so much in space and variety that you’ll find traditional foods from all over Asia here, including Korean barbecue, Vietnamese pho and banh mi and Taiwanese dumplings. The eatery options range from upmarket restaurants, where you can enjoy Beijing duck, to little street food stalls, which provide dumplings and meat-filled buns to go.
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3 Comments
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Megan Thee Stallion
Yokohama. The best city in Kanto.
Speed
Absolutely love Yokohama, especially the Yamashita Park area. Haven't lived there since I was a little kid, but whenever I go back, there are so many places to go and things to do without having to drive (or even take the train).
The vibe and atmosphere is good there for some reason. Kobe is like its little cousin but I prefer the Yoke.
bearandrodent
@speed, very similar experience as you. Lived there as a kid, loved the cosmopolitan and international vibe. Getting to be hard to differentiate from other cities in Japan though.