Yokohama is one of those places that surprises you. Just 30 minutes from Tokyo, this port city delivers stunning waterfront views, incredible food, and a relaxed vibe that feels worlds away from the capital.
It’s perfect for a day trip, and getting around is wonderfully easy once you know the layout.
I’ll walk you through exactly how to reach Yokohama from different parts of Tokyo and share the best ways to explore once you’re there.
Here are 12 places you won’t want to miss. 😊
1. Minato Mirai 21
a. Why Visit
Minato Mirai 21 means “Harbor of the Future”, and it delivers exactly that.
This 186-hectare waterfront district transformed old shipyards into one of Japan’s most striking modern skylines.
You get panoramic harbor views, major attractions packed close together, and some of the best nighttime scenery in the country.
b. Best Things to Do
- Ride the Yokohama Air Cabin. Japan’s first permanent urban ropeway takes you on a five-minute aerial trip with stunning skyline views.
- Walk the Kishamichi Promenade. This boardwalk follows an old harbor rail track connecting Sakuragicho Station to Shinko Island. Great for photos.
- Shop at Queen’s Square and Landmark Plaza. Over 160 stores featuring international fashion brands and specialty shops.
- Visit the Pokémon Center Yokohama. Located nearby in the Minato Mirai district.
- Visit the Yokohama Museum of Art. Seven galleries featuring Picasso, Yoshitomo Nara, and other modern masters.
- Soak at Minato Mirai Manyo Club. Traditional hot spring baths with a rooftop foot bath overlooking the Ferris wheel.
2. Yokohama Landmark Tower
a. Why Visit
At 296.3 meters, Yokohama Landmark Tower was Japan’s tallest building for over 20 years.
It holds Japan’s fastest elevator and houses luxury shopping, fine dining, and the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel on floors 52 to 67.
b. Best Things to Do
- Note: The 69th-floor Sky Garden observation deck is temporarily closed starting December 31, 2025, for renovations. Expected to reopen in 2028 or later.
- Explore Landmark Plaza. Around 160 shops, including the Studio Ghibli “Donguri” store.
- See the Dockyard Garden. A historic stone dry dock designated as an Important Cultural Property.
An elevated moving sidewalk connects the tower directly to Sakuragicho Station in about five minutes.
3. Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru
a. Why Visit
This beautiful ship was built in 1930 and trained over 11,500 cadets during its 54 years of service.
It’s been open to the public since 1985 and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2017.
The ship sits next to the Yokohama Port Museum, which covers the city’s fascinating port history.
b. Best Things to Do
- Tour the ship’s interior. See the Officer’s Saloon, Captain’s Cabin, and cadet quarters preserved in their original 1930s condition.
- Check the “full-sail” display schedule. The ship spreads its sails about 12 times per year, and it’s a stunning sight. The operator publishes dates in advance.
- Explore the Yokohama Port Museum. Interactive exhibits and a 140-square-meter floor map.
- Try the mystery-solving game. The “Yokohama Port Space-Time Traveler” game uses clues hidden around the ship and museum.
4. Yokohama Cosmo World
a. Why Visit
This urban amusement park has no admission fee. You only pay for the rides you want.
The star attraction is the Cosmo Clock 21, a 112.5-meter Ferris wheel that is one of Yokohama’s most recognizable landmarks.
The park has three zones: Wonder Amuse Zone for thrills, Burano Street Zone for strolling, and Kids Carnival Zone for families.
b. Best Things to Do
- Ride the Cosmo Clock 21. A 15-minute rotation with views of the Bay Bridge and Landmark Tower.
- Try the Diving Coaster Vanish! This coaster appears to plunge into an underwater tunnel.
- Walk through Ice World. Temperatures hit minus 30 degrees Celsius inside.
- Explore Kids Carnival Zone. Family-friendly rides.
- Money-saving tip: Grab the ¥3,500 value pack for ¥3,200.
5. Cup Noodles Museum
a. Why Visit
This interactive museum celebrates instant ramen and its inventor, Momofuku Ando.
Hands-on workshops and clever exhibits make this feel more like a modern art space than a corporate museum.
b. Best Things to Do
- Create your own cup noodles. Design your cup and choose from four soup flavors and 12 toppings. Get a numbered ticket early because this sells out.
- Make chicken ramen from scratch. The 90-minute workshop lets you knead, steam, and flash-fry your own noodles. Advance reservation required.
- See the Instant Noodles History Cube. Over 3,000 product packages dating back to 1958.
- Eat at the Noodles Bazaar. Eight varieties of noodles in an Asian night market setting.
- Let kids play at Cup Noodles Park. Indoor play area where children experience manufacturing from a noodle’s perspective.
6. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
a. Why Visit
These two early 20th-century customs warehouses now house shops, galleries, and restaurants.
The exposed brickwork has been beautifully restored, and at night, the warm orange glow creates one of Yokohama’s most photographed scenes.
b. Best Things to Do
- Shop at Building No. 2. Around 40 stores, including Yokohama-exclusive souvenirs.
- Try glass-crafting at Building No. 1. Yokohama Glass offers hands-on workshops.
- Eat at bills. Famous for its Australian breakfast menu.
- Check the official event calendar. Markets, festivals, and seasonal programs run throughout the year.
- Hang out at Red Brick Park. A grassy area perfect for harbor views and watching cruise ships.
7. Osanbashi Pier
a. Why Visit
Osanbashi is Yokohama’s international passenger terminal and one of the city’s best free attractions.
The design uses undulating wooden surfaces and grassy areas with no stairs.
It extends 400 meters into the bay for unobstructed 360-degree skyline views. Open 24 hours.
b. Best Things to Do
- Walk the Whale’s Back. The rooftop deck offers views of Yokohama’s famous “Three Towers”.
- Dine at the tip of the pier. Subzero serves Italian cuisine with panoramic harbor views.
- Watch ships arrive. Check the terminal schedule to see large cruise ships docking.
- Photograph the night view. Long-exposure shots of the illuminated Ferris wheel and skyline are popular here.
8. Yamashita Park
a. Why Visit
Japan’s first seaside park opened in 1930.
The 700-meter stretch along the harbor features rose gardens, international monuments, and the historic NYK Hikawamaru ocean liner.
b. Best Things to Do
- Stroll through the Rose Garden. About 160 rose varieties bloom in May and October.
- Tour the NYK Hikawamaru. This 1930s ocean liner features Art Deco first-class cabins. Charlie Chaplin once sailed on this ship.
- See the historic statues. Look for the “Little Girl With Red Shoes On” statue and the “Guardian of Water” fountain gifted by San Diego.
- Take the Sea Bass water bus. Connects to Minato Mirai and Yokohama Station areas.
9. Yokohama Marine Tower
a. Why Visit
Built in 1961, this 106-meter tower once held the record for the world’s tallest lighthouse.
A 2022 renovation added digital art galleries on the observation floors. The tower sits at the junction of Yamashita Park and Chinatown.
b. Best Things to Do
- Visit the 30th-floor observation deck. At 94 meters high, you get a 360-degree view. Mount Fuji is often visible at sunset.
- See the Media Art Gallery. After 6 PM, digital projections create an augmented view of the city lights.
- Get the 1-Day Admission Ticket. Allows unlimited re-entry for both daytime and nighttime views.
- Shop for souvenirs. The second-floor Marine Tower Shop has Yokohama-themed merchandise.
10. Yokohama Chinatown
a. Why Visit
Japan’s largest Chinatown packs over 600 shops and restaurants into a compact district dating back to 1859.
Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghai, and Beijing cuisines are all represented. During Lunar New Year, the streets fill with lion dances and parades.
b. Best Things to Do
- Eat while you walk. Try nikuman (pork buns), xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and tanghulu (candied fruit).
- Visit Kanteibyo Temple. Dedicated to the god of business.
- Try all-you-can-eat. Many restaurants offer courses starting around ¥2,000 to ¥3,000.
- Get your fortune told. Specialized fortune-telling shops line the main streets.
- Wander the main streets and side lanes. The colorful storefronts and bustling atmosphere are part of the fun.
11. Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street
a. Why Visit
This 600-meter pedestrian street has been Yokohama’s fashion destination since the 1860s.
It is the birthplace of the “Hamatora” style, a preppy aesthetic unique to Yokohama. Several shops date back to the Meiji era.
b. Best Things to Do
- Shop the Yokohama brands. Kitamura for leather bags, Mihama for classic footwear, Chikazawa Lace for handcrafted lace.
- Eat at Uchiki Pan. This bakery has been making Western-style bread since 1888.
- Attend the Charming Sale. Held in February and September with significant discounts.
- Enjoy afternoon tea. European-style tea rooms and French restaurants line the street.
12. Yamatecho
a. Why Visit
The Yamate area was once a foreign settlement for about 30 years after the port opened.
Today, it’s known for its preserved Western-style houses and a peaceful, leafy atmosphere that feels different from the rest of Yokohama.
b. Best Things to Do
- Tour the historic houses. British House Yokohama, Home of a Diplomat, and Berrick Hall feature restored period furniture and gardens.
- Enjoy Harbor View Park. A prime spot for views of the Yokohama Bay Bridge.
- Have tea in a historic setting. Bluff No. 111 and the Ehrismann Residence both have on-site cafes.
In December, the “Christmas Around the World” event decorates each house according to different national traditions.
How to Get to Yokohama
Getting from Tokyo to Yokohama Station is fast and straightforward. Here are your best options from major stations.
a. From Tokyo Station
- JR Tokaido Line – 25 minutes, ¥490. This is the fastest option.
- JR Yokosuka Line – 32 minutes, ¥490
- JR Keihin-Tohoku Line – 40 minutes, ¥490
b. From Shinjuku
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line – 34 minutes, ¥580
c. From Shibuya
- Tokyu Toyoko Line – 28 minutes, ¥310. Cheapest and most frequent option.
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line – 26 minutes, ¥410
d. From Ikebukuro
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line – 40 minutes, ¥660
e. From Ueno
- JR Ueno-Tokyo Line – 32 minutes, ¥580. Direct through-service. Best choice.
- JR Keihin-Tohoku Line – 50 minutes, ¥580
f. From Asakusa
- Toei Asakusa / Keikyu Line – 47 minutes, ¥630. Direct through-trains switch to Keikyu Main Line at Sengakuji Station.
How to Get Around Yokohama
Most attractions cluster along the waterfront, making local transit simple.
Minatomirai Line is your main sightseeing subway. It connects Yokohama Station to Minatomirai Station (for Landmark Tower and Cosmo World), Bashamichi Station (for Red Brick Warehouse), and Motomachi-Chukagai Station (for Chinatown, Yamashita Park, and Yamatecho).
JR Negishi Line runs parallel to the waterfront. Stops include Sakuragicho Station (Landmark Tower), Kannai Station (Osanbashi entrance), and Ishikawacho Station (Chinatown south entrance).
Akai Kutsu Loop Bus is a red retro-style bus circling major sightseeing areas. Very convenient for avoiding rail transfers. ¥220 per ride.
Walking works well for much of your visit. The stretch from Minato Mirai through Red Brick Warehouse to Yamashita Park connects via dedicated seaside promenades.
IC Cards like Suica and PASMO work on all trains, subways, and buses in Yokohama.
Trust me, Yokohama delivers. Whether you spend a full day or just an afternoon, you will find plenty to keep you busy. Grab your IC card and go explore.
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Photo Credit:
Photos by PIXTA