Yokohama: A Guide To Japan’s Port City That Has It All

From sightseeing to shopping to international dining to simply taking a deep breath of fresh air and standing against the ocean breeze, Yokohama is the city that appeals to all your five senses.

Just 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

© Photo by iStock: duncan1890

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.

Minato Mirai 21

© Photo by iStock: xavierarnau

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.

Sankeien Garden

© Photo by Sankeien Garden

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

Yokohama Doll Museum

© Photo by Yokohama Doll Museum

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

© Photo by iStock: 7maru

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.

© Photo by Shelley Smith

A notable lunch and dinner restaurant in the area is Jogenro, an authentic Shanghai restaurant that three generations of women have owned since its founding in 1955. The Yokohama branch has five floors of various seating, including private rooms with unique designs.

Another is Manchinro, a Cantonese diner established in 1892 that has survived two significant catastrophes: The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the bombing of Yokohama in 1945 during the Second World War, with three locations, all in Yokohama.

A must-visit tea spot in the area is the Goku (Monkey Magic) Teahouse, a cute little Chinese cafe that serves flowering tea with fruits in glass teapots. They also serve traditional sweets and cakes that could easily be called art. The decor is quaint and perfect for whiling away an afternoon.

The Kahala Lounge’s Afternoon Tea

© Photo by The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama

For a more modern tea time with a fantastic view, head over to The Kahala Lounge to enjoy their seasonal afternoon tea sets. The lounge is located on the 14th floor of The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama. You can enjoy a beautiful tea set served on a table-sized Ferris wheel with a fantastic view of the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel. Highly ranked by locals, this is the must-try spot for afternoon tea in the port city.

• Price: Around ¥10,000 per person

Salisali Curry

© Photo by Salisali Curry

If you’re in the mood for something ethnic, Salisali Curry is considered the best in the area. If you’re looking for a change to Japanese-style curry, then their specialty is Pakistani curry, which has a much deeper flavor and spicy kick. It’s a great value atmosphere, and as a family-run place, the staff are really attentive and friendly. The lunch set comes with fantastic chai tea and salad.

• Price: Sali Course Set: ¥1,300; Dessert ¥500

Japanese Restaurant Hanagoyomi

Have the most beautiful breakfast, lunch or dinner at this Japanese restaurant surrounded by a sprawling water garden. Enjoy their course meals in a calm private room with a view of the water. The highlight is their Hanachazen lunch course, which showcases a diverse array of seasonal and local influences. If you’re looking for a truly memorable Japanese meal experience, this is the place for you.

• Price: Breakfast: ¥5,692; Lunch: ¥12,650; Dinner: From 13,282〜

Sushi Mandai

© Photo by Sushi Mandai

For something a little more high-end, stop by Sushi Mandai, a famous sushi restaurant just four minutes walk from Yokohama station. A cut above the others in the area, this cozy home of fresh fish and exquisite seafood course menus offers a really lovely atmosphere. It’s definitely on the higher end of the price range due to the high quality of the fish but it has an extensive menu and lunch deals, so it’s worth trying.

• Price: Omakase: ¥18,000 per person; Courses from ¥12,000 per person

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

© Photo by Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum has the word “museum” in its name, but it’s really much more of a place to eat than anything historical—except maybe the interior. Here you can take your pick of different types of ramen offered in various regions across Japan. Each ramen restaurant offers a subtly different style of cooking, from how the noodles are prepared to the kind of broth used and the meat options for each bowl. Beyond that, there is a gallery, a shop, a café and more.

• Price: Ramen prices vary by shop, but an admission fee of ¥450 is required to enter the museum.

Nogecho Area

© Photo by Shelley Smith

Whether you’re looking for an area to bar hop or just looking to settle down and try an affordable and tasty izakaya (Japanese pub), Nogecho, or Noge, is the best old-fashioned riverside nightlife hub in Yokohama.

© Photo by Shelley Smith

With various bars, izakaya and low-key jazz clubs, you can take your pick and drink the night away with friends or other guests in the shop. Most shops in the area have fun, friendly staff, so it’s hard to choose where to go—a safe bet is Hanatare, a sashimi izakaya that serves fresh fish and great drinks.

For meat lovers who want to try out a classic Japanese-style barbeque restaurant, head over to Noge Taimu and embrace the small space and stools to chat with the locals and other guests while enjoying your drinks and meal.

Ristorante Ozio

© Photo by Ristorante Ozio

Looking for a romantic spot to enjoy dinner with a beautiful night view? Whether it’s a special anniversary or a date to impress, Ristorante Ozio will take the best care of you. The table seats, shaped like shells, are private yet open enough for you to look out at the glimmering night view. The food here is gorgeous and genuinely complements the divine atmosphere. It’s best to reserve a table at least three days in advance to guarantee your spot.

• Price: Dinner Course: From ¥9,487〜

Top 5 Places To Shop In Yokohama

Rather than small boutiques and shops, Yokohama has several massive shopping malls catering to all kinds of needs and preferences. Heading to one of them (or all) is your best choice for buying what you need.

Akarenga (Red Brick Warehouse)

© Photo by iStock: paprikaworks

Red brick-style buildings are considered a real treasure in Japan, being so rare and so clearly influenced by Victorian British design. Since the turn of the millennium, this Red Brick Warehouse has become a shopping mall with small boutique shops rather than big high street stores. Most stores you’ll find here have Yokohama in their name and sell local products made by local people: clothes, shoes, ornaments and trinkets, houseware, sundries and souvenirs. It’s a great place to get a feel for the local creative scene and pick out some quaint, original items.

Marine & Walk

© Photo by Shelley Smith

This chic, open-air shopping escape is in a beautiful location right on the edge of the Minato Mirai waterfront. Set up like pedestrianized shopping streets where you can hear the ocean as you shop, this is more for your high-end and boutique stores. Marine & Walk boasts a range of delicious restaurants and artisan cafes to enjoy, many with terrace seating to take in the gorgeous views.

Motomachi Street

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With a vibrant history spanning all the way back to 1859, Motomachi Street is a lovely place to go if you want a shopping experience in one place with lots of cafes and restaurants to break up your retail therapy. From vintage stores to big-name brands, you’ll find all the clothes, bags and jewelry you could ever want. It’s pedestrianized during certain hours of the weekend, public holidays and special sales.

See this article for our complete list of Top 5 Places To Shop In Yokohama!

Yokohama Access

If you’re located in Tokyo, Yokohama makes a fun day trip. Several train lines, such as the JR Tokaido Line, Yokosuka Line or Keihin-Tohoku Line, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line, can get you to Yokohama Station from Tokyo. Changing over to the Minatomirai Line at Yokohama Station will take you to Motomachi-Chukagai Station, right next to Chinatown and Yamashita Park. One-day passes for the bus and subway are also available at Yokohama Station.

© Photo by iStock: 7maru

A relatively new form of transport in Yokohama is the Yokohama Air Cabin ropeway, which opened in 2021. The gondola takes you between the front of JR Sakuragichō Station and Unga Park in the Shinko District. It’s approximately 40m high and 630m long one way and makes its way alongside and above the Kishamichi Promenader. Although riding the gondola isn’t a necessity to access both areas, the ride offers a beautifully colorful view of the city and Cosmo World theme park, especially at night.

There are four tourism offices in the city, all of which are very happy to help anyone organize walking tours or generally help out. The biggest is in Yokohama Station on the East to West Walkway.

Where to Stay

For those who need more than a day in Yokohama (which is fair enough due to the amount of things there is to do), there’s a vast amount of accommodation available in the area.

• For something very affordable, try a simple but safe capsule hotel like Capsule Plus Yokohama Sauna & Capsule. (Price: From around ¥3,000 per person a night.)
• If you’d like a private room, try a female-friendly business hotel like Hotel Unizo. (Price: From around ¥6,000 a night for a ladies’ single room. Or double/twin-size rooms for two people from around ¥8,000 a night.)
• For the ultimate treat-yourself stay with amazing views, high-end service and resort facilities like a spa, pool, gym and more, book The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama. (Price: From around ¥21,390 a night for two people).

Have you been to Yokohama before? What was your favorite place to visit?

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This article was originally written by Jessica Esa but has been updated by The Savvy Team with the latest information for 2024.

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