Top 5 Places To Shop In Yokohama

Looking for an excuse to get out of Tokyo this weekend? Why not take a trip to Yokohama and check out these lovely locations for the ultimate retail therapy experience.

Sometimes, it can be nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Only 40 minutes south of Shinjuku Station, the portside paradise of Yokohama is the perfect place to slow down, grab a coffee and check out some of the very best shopping the region has to offer. We’ve teamed up with the lovely (and oh-so-stylish) people at Marine & Walk Mall to compile an ultimate guide for the best places to shop in Yokohama. No matter what kind of shopper you are, you’ll be sure to love at least one of the locations on our list.

1. Marine & Walk Yokohama

Sitting right on the edge of the Minato Mirai waterfront, Marine & Walk Yokohama is the perfect place to chill out, grab a nice café lunch and spend a couple of hours perusing. This stylishly designed, open-air mall is a breath of fresh air compared to the cramped, labyrinthine chaos of Tokyo’s shopping scene, especially for those of us who have just survived the New Year’s sales period. At Marine & Walk Yokohama, you’ll find two levels of independent boutiques, higher-end clothes stores and delicious eateries. The vibe here is laid-back and beachy, yet still beautifully chic—the perfect combination for a shopping getaway. Spending the day with your four-legged, fur baby? Feel free to bring them along and do some window shopping together—Marine & Walk Yokohama is pet-friendly. 

Good For

Unique fashion and accessories from homegrown brands (we’re lusting after the beautifully made-in-Japan bags at MSPC Products Sort) as well as international labels like the recently opened Ron Herman.

Don’t Miss

Brunch on the waterfront terrace of one of the stylish bistros on the second floor.

• Address: 1-3-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
• Access: 9 to 12-minute walk from Bashamichi Station, Minato Mirai Station along the Minatomirai Line and Nihon Odori Station. Or a 15-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Restaurants open until 11 p.m.)

2. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

If there is one shopping spot Yokohama is famous for, it’s the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Just a few minutes from Marine & Walk Yokohama, this is the second destination on our list, and it is located on the Minato Mirai waterfront. The building, which has been around since 1911, is home to a variety of small shops selling a wide range of fashion, accessories and knick-knacks. Want to pick out a stylish new beret and look for furoshiki (bento wrapping cloths) with little dogs on them? Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse has you covered.

Good For

Japanese souvenirs and gifts. You’ll find special edition Yokohama memorabilia here too.

Don’t Miss

A pair of adorable Akai Kutsu (red shoes) chocolates—a nod to the cute Yokohama sightseeing bus of the same name—makes a lovely gift.

• Address: 1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
• Access: A 6-minute walk from Bashamichi Station and Nihon Odori Station along the Minatomirai Line. Or a 12-minute walk from Minatomirai Station.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Restaurant hours vary)

3. Yokohama World Porters

Next up is Yokohama World Porters, the ultimate destination for those looking for a well-rounded shopping and entertainment experience. World Porters has six floors of enjoyment, with an outstanding (and enthusiastically decorated) Hawaiian-themed food court on the first floor and an AEON Cinema located on the fifth floor. Both the second and third floors are dedicated to fashion goods, where you’ll be sure to find a bargain or two in one of the many accessories shops. World Porters is also conveniently close to Yokohama Cosmo World. Do you want to take a break from shopping and ride a rollercoaster? Just pop across the road.

Good For

Reasonably priced goods ranging from clothes to toys to home furnishings, as long as you know what you’re after (this place is gigantic).

Don’t Miss

Head up to the rooftop for a game of mini golf and a spectacular view of the Minato Mirai skyline.

• Address: 2-2-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
• Access: A 5-minute walk from Minatomirai Station and Bashamichi Station along the Minatomirai Line. Or a 10-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station along the JR Keihin Tohoku Line.
• Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Restaurant and Cinema hours vary)

4. Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street

With a rich and vibrant history, spanning all the way back to 1859, Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street is not to be missed! Best suited to those looking for variety shopping, the street is home to a wide range of unique fashion retail stores, spread along the 600-meter strip. While Motomachi Shopping Street may not be as comfortable and leisurely as some of our other locations, it is famous for its festive enthusiasm! The street celebrates a range of seasonal events from Christmas/Winter illuminations to St. Patrick’s Day parades.

Good For

A sunny day’s stroll while you dip in and out of the shops.

Don’t Miss

Uchiki Pan has been baking British-style bread since the 1900s when Yokohama became one of the first ports to open to foreign trade. Go early for the cinnamon bread before it sells out.

• Address: Motomachi-dori, Naka-ku, Yokohama
• Access: 2-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Motomachi Exit) along the Minatomirai Line. Or a 4-minute walk from Ishikawacho Station along the JR Keihin Tohoku Line.
• Hours: Vary between the stores and restaurants.

5. Queen’s Square Yokohama

Finally, we have Queen’s Square Yokohama. This multi-story shopping complex is ideal for those looking for a traditional, indoor shopping experience. Located directly over Minatomirai Station, and conveniently close to the Yokohama Museum of Art, Queen’s Square is home to a massive range of fashion retail and variety stores. The main shopping areas are split between the two buildings: first, Queens Square Yokohama, where you’ll find both regular fashion stores and unique boutiques, and, second, Queens East, which is better suited to those looking for an upmarket shopping experience. Though less unique than some of our other shopping havens, Queen’s Square Yokohama is certainly the most conveniently located and easily accessible shopping destination on this list.

Good For

Lots of familiar brands within a family-friendly environment.

Don’t Miss

The attached Landmark Tower was once the tallest building in Japan (before Osaka’s Abeno Harukas took over). A speedy elevator will whisk you up to the 69th-floor Sky Garden, from where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Yokohama.

• Address: 2-3, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
• Access: 1-minute walk from Minatomirai station along the Minatomirai line or an 8-minute walk from Sakuragi-cho station.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Restaurants are open 11:00 a.m.-10 p.m.)

Where are your favorite places to shop in Yokohama?