Yokohama is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Japan. It closely intertwines modern images and classic Asian motifs.
The city offers many opportunities to experience Japanese culture, including traditional and cutting-edge destinations. By visiting Yokohama and walking through one of the city parks, you will learn about the Japanese love for nature. Or delve into the spiritual side of Japan by taking part in a tea ceremony or Zen meditation. You can dress in a traditional kimono and be transported back to a bygone era as you explore the city.
Yokohama provides more than just traditional culture. Here you will find many unique museums, including themed ones, such as the Japanese Anime Museum.
Sunkein Garden
The vast classical Japanese garden spans over 175,000 m2 and is renowned for its unique beauty. Sunkein has many historical buildings designated as cultural heritage by the government.
It is noteworthy that these buildings were brought to the park from various parts of Japan and include a three-story pagoda located high on a hill in the depths of the garden. This pagoda, originally built in Kyoto in the mid-1400s, was moved to Sankein Garden in 1914.
The entire garden was once the domain of Tomitaro "Sankei" Hara (1869–1939), a wealthy silk merchant. The garden was opened to the public in 1906.
While walking here, you will find bridges, streams, small waterfalls, bamboo groves and ponds.
By the way, don’t miss the article about the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove.
The house where Hara's family lived is huge. It has dozens of spacious, interconnected rooms with tatami floors and beautiful views of the green lawn.
Sakura blooms in the garden in late March - early April. In July and August, the Japanese pink lotus blooms on the pond. In the fall, you can enjoy the stunning colors that many trees display. In winter, in the second half of February, plum blossoms (ume). In Japan, this phenomenon is considered the beginning of spring.
You can find out more detailed information about the opening hours and cost of visiting on the official website of the Sunkein Garden.
Zoorasia – Yokohama Zoo
Zoorasia is one of the largest zoos in Japan. It has seven ecological zones, inhabited by a variety of different animals - from small red pandas to huge African elephants. The zoo has many cafes where visitors can have a snack while walking, and themed events are also organized, which makes this place interesting not only for families with children, but also for anyone.
Yokohama Zoo occupies a large area and is located away from the center (about 1 hour drive), and therefore we recommend all tourists who want to visit it to set aside the whole day for this.
Buddhist Temple Sojiji Shogakusan (Shogakusan Sojiji)
In this temple you will see the “Hall of Founders” (Daisodo) with a 36-meter high ceiling and a floor covered with a thousand mats. And also the Long Corridor “Hyakken rouka” with a length of 152 meters. The total area of the temple is about 500,000 m2. There is also a cemetery with the graves of prominent Japanese figures.
Visiting the temple is free. But separately (for a fee) you can book an excursion to the House of Treasures and other temple halls under the guidance of the Buddhist monk Sanzen. True, the tour is conducted in English once a month. Reservations required.
Detailed information on his official website.
Yokohama Minatomirai Manyo Club
This hotel and spa features healing hot baths, relaxation areas and comfortable rooms. Water is delivered from the hot springs in Atami and Yugawara six times a day by a special 20,000-liter tanker truck.
The hotel has a variety of spa treatment options. For example, observation baths overlooking the Minatomirai district and the Yokohama Bay Bridge, or outdoor pools and cypress baths.
You can book traditional Thai massages and reflexology services.
Official website of the hotel.
Future Port Minato Mirai
Minato Mirai 21, or simply Minato Mirai, is an urban area in Yokohama, located in close proximity to the port. Minato Mirai translated into Russian means “Port of the Future”: on its territory there are many shopping and business centers, among which the Landmark Tower, the third tallest building in Japan, stands out. Until 1980, the entire port area was allocated for a shipyard, but as part of a new urban project, it was decided to redevelop the port into a new business and entertainment center.
Minato Mirai has a very advantageous location and there are many interesting sights on its territory. “Port of the Future” is a concentration of shopping centers, hotels, exhibition pavilions, amusement parks, museums and spa centers.
Located along the coastline, the buildings of the central Minato Mirai district create a unique outline that you see when traveling along the expressway from Tokyo. The most outstanding skyscraper without a doubt can be considered the Landmark Tower. Next to it are three Queen's Towers - each of which is slightly lower than the previous one, and next to it is the Pan Pacific hotel and the Pacifico convention center. The redevelopment of Minato Mirai is still actively underway, but now towards the city center.
Connected to the central part of the port town is a small man-made island - another part of Minato Mirai - the Shinko District, which translated means “New Port District”. Here is the famous Ferris wheel with a giant clock, which was for some time the largest in the world.
Entertainment
Sky Garden Observation Deck
Opening hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (until 22:00 on Saturdays) Entrance closes 30 minutes before official closing. Closed: seven days a week Cost: 1000 yen
At 273 meters high, the Landmark Tower houses the Sky Garden observation deck, one of the highest in Japan. At the time of construction, the high-speed elevator that takes visitors to the observation deck was considered the fastest in the world. From the top there is a stunning view of the port and the city, which you can admire while relaxing in the Sky Garden bar.
Cosmo World
Opening hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (extended opening hours on weekends and summer) Closed: Thursdays (or the day after if Thursday is a public holiday)
Cost: The price per ticket for each attraction varies between 300-800 yen.
The Cosmo World amusement park has everything you need for good entertainment: high-speed slides, carousels, a children's playground and a huge Ferris wheel. In the evening, the park is illuminated with colorful lights.
Manyo Club
Opening hours: always open Closed: seven days a week Cost: 2500 yen (+ costs for additional services)
Manyo Club is a large spa where you can soak in a traditional hot spring bath (delivered daily from the Izu Peninsula). For a fee you can order an acupuncture session, a massage, use the Internet, or dine in one of the restaurants.
Purchases
Queen's Square
Opening Hours: Most shops open from 11:00 to 20:00 (most restaurants close at 22:00) Closed: No regular holidays
Queen's Square shopping center occupies the first few floors of the three-tower Queen's Towers complex. There is a large selection of restaurants and shops, including world brands. On the ground floor is Minato Mirai Station.
Landmark Plaza
Opening hours: most shops open from 11:00 to 20:00 (most restaurants close at 22:00) Closed: seven days a week
Landmark Plaza is adjacent to Queen's Square and adjacent to Landmark Tower. The first five floors offer approximately the same selection of shops as in Queen's Towers, with an interesting one on the 4th floor.
World Porters
Opening hours: most stores are open from 10:30 to 21:00 (restaurants from 11:00 to 23:00) Closed: 2 times a year (closing days to be confirmed)
Each of the six floors of the World Porters shopping center is dedicated to a specific product category. From bottom to top: Grocery, Clothing, Sporting Goods, Hobbies, Home, Cinema, Entertainment and Spa.
Red brick warehouses
Opening hours: most shops open from 11:00 to 20:00 (restaurants until 22:00) Closed: seven days a week
The port warehouses were office buildings until the global restructuring began and Minato Mirai came into existence. Now it is one large shopping center with a unique design. Various exhibitions and events are also held here.
Museums
Nippon Maru and Yokohama Port Museum
5 minutes walk from Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho stations. Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a public holiday), December 29 to 31 Cost: 600 yen
Nippon Maru is a sailing ship built in 1930. Moored regularly at Minato Mirai Port and open to the public. Opposite is the Yokohama Port Museum, dedicated to the history of the port.
Instant Noodle Museum
10 minutes walk from Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho stations. Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (entrance until 17:00) Closed: Tuesdays (or the next day if Tuesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays. Cost: 500 yen (bring your own cup of noodles for an additional fee)
Interactive exhibitions, contemporary art, cooking - everything is connected with instant noodles! For a modest fee, visitors can experiment with ingredients and create their own ramen masterpiece in a plastic cup. And for those who don’t have the makings of a chef, a special cafe has the opportunity to try noodles from different parts of the world.
Yokohama Art Museum
5 minutes walk from Minato Mirai Station Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (entry before 17:30) Closed: Thursdays (or the next day if Thursday is a public holiday), New Year's holiday Cost: 500 yen (less special exhibitions)
The museum has seven galleries: three are reserved for permanent exhibitions, one for photo exhibitions, and three more for temporary exhibitions. The museum displays mainly contemporary art, including works by local artists.
Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum
5 minutes walk from Minato Mirai Station Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entry before 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays Cost: 500 yen
The museum's territory is divided into several sectors: space, ocean, transport, discovery, environment and a large number of interactive exhibits will be especially interesting for children.
How to get there:
The closest stations are Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho Station (JR Negishi Line (Keihin-Tohoku Line)).
Yokohama Noh Theater
It is a leading theater specializing in traditional Japanese arts. But, besides this, he stages new stories as part of international programs.
The main stage of the Yokohama Noh Theater was built in 1875 for the estate of the former ruler of the Kaga region. Later it was transferred to the estate of the ruler of the Takamatsu region, where it was called the Somei No stage. This scene was later dismantled. It has now been restored using original components.
The Yokohama Noh Theater has a second stage and studios for rehearsals and classes. The theater regularly hosts exhibitions of costumes and musical instruments. Special exhibitions dedicated to Japanese traditional art are also sometimes held.
Official website of the theater.
Anpanmen Children's Museum
The museum opened on July 7, 2021.
Here you can get acquainted with the world of Anpanman, the hero of a popular children's book and anime. The museum on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building recreates the world of Anpanman, and is filled with various attractions and exhibits.
Various events are held daily on the main stage, naturally with the participation of Anpanman and his friends. Admission to the first floor of the museum is free. Here you will find various Anpanman style shops. This includes a bakery, photo studio, bookstore, restaurants and food court.
Museum website
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Trying ramen in Japan is the first thing. And in Yokohama, tourists can not only enjoy this dish, but also get acquainted with its varieties and method of preparation. The Ramen Museum opened its doors to visitors more than twenty years ago, and during this time it has gained popularity among many foreign tourists.
The main feature of the museum is that inside you will find an exact replica of the streets and buildings of Shitamachi in 1958. This is an old district of Tokyo, famous for its ramen shops. Enjoying ramen at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum can easily feel like being transported back in time.
Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal
Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal is a major port where giant cruise ships call during their travels.
The steel structure of the pier was designed by Alejandro Zaera Polo and Farshid Moussavi (a British architect).
Surrounded by the sea, the port offers amazing views of the Minatomirai area. The top of this long, winding pier is made of wood. It also has large areas of grass, making it an ideal place for a picnic. Osanbashi Pier is ideal for a leisurely stroll with the family or a romantic date.
The terminal has its own website.
Observation deck Landmark Tower (Tower Sky Garden)
The highest observation deck in Yokohama can be reached using the fastest elevator in the country. It will take you to the 69th floor in just 40 seconds!!!
Landmark Tower
Once here, you will enjoy panoramic views of the city. On a clear day, you can even see Tokyo and the legendary Fuji. And the view of Yokohama at night from here will definitely not leave you indifferent.
Opening hours and prices can be found here.
Weather
The climate in the prefecture is mild and coastal. In the winter, the temperature almost never drops below 8 degrees, while in the summer it almost never exceeds 28 degrees Celsius. A great place for those who love to spend time by the sea and beach holidays.
The rainy season is short and falls mainly in June and July, but this is not the rainy season as is commonly understood. Here it rains not for months, but only 10-15 days per month, comparable to the climate of some Russian regions.
Yokohama is arguably one of the most Westernized cities in Japan. Indeed, during the reign of the Tokugawa shogunate, it was from this city that the period of closure of the country ended. Western ships began to arrive in the prefecture, and in the city itself, European districts grew, bringing with them their culture and way of life.
Sea Tower
Arguably one of the most beautiful places in Japan is the Yokohama Bayside area, and one of the most striking attractions here is the Sea Tower.
It was built in 1961 and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the opening of the port of Yokohama. Since then, it has been visited by more than 25 million people and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Yokohama.
It is advisable to arrive 15 minutes before sunset. Buy your tickets on the 1st floor, then take the 2nd floor elevator to the top. As you head towards the top, you will have a beautiful view of Yokohama Bay and the bridge over it.
30th floor - 100 meters above the ground. As you walk around the site, you will be able to see the clear silhouette of Mount Fuji against the sunset. If you go down to the 29th floor, you will see equally beautiful panoramas of Yokohama at night.
It is recommended to sit opposite the Minatomirai area. From here you will see the Sky Garden Tower, the Royal Building (Yokohama Three Towers), the Ferris wheel at Cosmo Park and the beautiful InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel. Unfortunately, the tower is currently closed for reconstruction. It is planned to open by April 2022.
More information on the website.
Transport accessibility
The city does not have its own airport, and the closest ones - Haneda and Narita - are located in Tokyo, at a distance of 20 and 90 kilometers, respectively. Both airports serve both international and domestic flights. You can get to Yokohama from any airport by train or bus, which regularly run between settlements.
Cosmo Clock 21
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Cosmo Amusement Park (COSMOWORLD)
This is a compact but varied amusement park with enough attractions for children and adults to spend a whole day here. The main attraction of the park was a giant Ferris wheel with a dial. It must be said that it is now an iconic symbol of Yokohama.
Ferris wheel COSMOWORLD
Official website of the park.
