Yokohama is the capital of the Kanagawa Prefecture and has the largest population in all of Japan. It is well known as a port city and lies just south of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. It has one of the highest quality of living in the world and many fun places to visit for travelers! Check out these 30 things you should do in Yokohama.
1. Check out the Skyline
Yokohama’s skyline is also called “Minato Mirai”, which means future port. It is a huge area for shopping and entertainment with some of the best places to go in Yokohama. However, just a glimpse of the skyline at sunset is sure to dazzle you with all those beautiful lights.
2. Visit the Landmark Tower
The best place to get a view of the city and the skyline is probably Landmark Tower. It is Japan’s tallest building and has an observation deck on the 69th floor, which allows for some great views of the area!
Information
- Name: Landmark Tower
- Address:2 Chome-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward
- Price: 1000 yen
- Opening hours: Open 24 hours
3. Walk through Chinatown
Yokohama’s Chinatown is large and fun and rivals those in the west in NYC and San Francisco. There are many Chinese, Japanese, and foreign people in this area making it very lively and crowded. There are many things to buy for cheap and a lot of delicious food.
4. Sankeien Garden
This is a traditional Japanese garden that features many historic buildings that were bought and transported to the garden. It was designed by Sankei Hara who was the one who purchased all of the historical buildings. It is a beautiful place for a peaceful afternoon.
Information
- Name: Sankeien Garden
- Address: 58-1 Honmokusannotani, Naka Ward
- Price: 500 yen
- Opening hours: 9AM to 5PM Sun-Sat
5. Walk around the Osanbashi Pier
The Osanbashi Pier is probably one of the best places to look at Yokohama’s skyline. It is also an interesting area on its own with its beautiful wood and glass architecture. While it looks like a old-fashioned place due to the wood boardwalk, the use of glass places it in a more modern time.
6. Eat at Sweets Paradise
Those of you with a sweet tooth should check at Sweets Paradise. It is a chain restaurant with a location in Yokohama and they serve an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. There is much to choose from like beignets and green tea ice cream and delicious poundcake!
Information
- Name: Sweets Paradise
- Address: 1-6-1 Kamiookanishi, Konan-ku | Keikyu Department Store 10F
- Price: 1530 yen
- Opening hours: 11AM to 10PM Sun-Sat
7. Chinatown Lion Dance
During Chinese New Year in February, there is always a huge festival in Chinatown in Yokohama to celebrate! It is known as the Spring Festival in China and one of the most exciting events is the lion dance. This dance is performed during many special occasions, but the best one is always on Chinese New year!
8. Yamashita Park
Yamashita Park is a beautiful seaside area that is on the waterfront of Yokohama. You can view many things while strolling down in this park including the Osanburi Pier and the Hikawa Maru, an old ocean liner.
9. Hikawa Maru
10. Yokohama Marine Tower
Yamashita Park has features the Yokohama Marine Tower, which is considered to be the world’s tallest lighthouse. The observation deck allows people great views of the city even though it is slightly shorter than the Landmark Tower.
Information
- Name: Yokohama Marine Tower
- Address: 15 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama
- Price: 750 yen
- Opening hours: Sun-Sat 10AM-10:30PM
11. Kanagawa Shimbun Fireworks
This festival occurs in early August and set against the backdrop of the city skyline. It is fun and exciting and a great way to end a summer trip. If you want the best view of the fireworks, be sure to get a spot at the Osanbashi Pier or somewhere in Minato Mirai.
12. Attend a BayStars Baseball Game
Baseball is Japan’s national past time and definitely something you won’t want to miss out! Check out a game at Yokohama Stadium when the Yokohama BayStars are playing. The most exciting ones are when they play against the Tokyo Giants as there is a huge rivalry between the two cities!
13. Yokohama Baybridge
For excellent views of the city and the bay, check out Yokohama Bay Bridge Walkway. It was originally called “Sky Walk” when it was built in 1989. It is also great for those of you interested in architecture to see a beautiful construction.
Information
- Name: Yokohama BayBridge
- Address: Daikokufuto, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama
- Price: 500 yen
- Opening hours: open all hours
14. Shop at Red Brick Warehouse
This historic warehouse was renovated and turned into a huge shopping center. There are many clothing stores, a ton of restaurants, and even a concert hall. The area consists of two buildings, one for shopping and the other for events like plays, music concerts, and movies.
Information
- Name: Red Brick Warehouse
- Address: 231-0001 Kanagawa Prefecture
- Price: varies
- Opening hours: 11AM-10PM Sun-Sat
15. Shinyokohama Ramen Museum
Food lovers can rejoice at this unique museum dedicated to ramen. The museum is three floors, with the first being the actual museum, the second floor is the gift shop, and the third floor is a toy race track. There are also 9 delicious ramen restaurants with all different styles of ramen.
Information
- Name: Shinyokohama Ramen Museum
- Address: 2-14-21 Shinyokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-City
- Price: 300 yen
- Opening hours: 11AM-10:30PM Sun-Sat
16. Nippon Maru
This tall ship was built in 1930 in Kobe and circled the world a total of 45 times. The ship is now museum that is open to the public located in front of the Landmark Tower. There is much about the history of trading not just in Yokohama but also in Japan aboard the ship.
17. Cosmoworld
Corsmoworld is a large theme park with a huge ferris wheel. It is a gorgeous sight at night when the wheel lights up. Great for couples looking a romantic date since you can see the Yokohama bay up on the wheel. There are also plenty of fun rides for kids and families.
Information
- Name: Cosmoworld
- Address: 2-1 MinatoMirai Nishi-ku Yokohama-shi Kanagawa
- Price: 700 yen
- Opening hours: Sun-Sat 11AM-10:00PM
18. Kanazawa Hakkei
Yokohama is home to Kanazawa Hakkei, which is arguably the best aquarium in all of Japan. The park’s main attraction is the aquarium tunnel, where visitors can go through and see the ocean’s largest fish swimming above them. There are also whale sharks, the ocean’s biggest animal!
Information
- Name: Kanazawa Hakkei
- Address: Hakkejima, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi
- Price: 2400 yen
- Opening hours: Sun-Sat 10AM-9:00PM
19. Yokohama Station
The Yokohama train station is one of the busiest places in the world. Therefore, the area is also filled with dining and great shopping. There are 4 department stores in addition to malls and electronics. Come here for some great food and new clothes.
Information
- Name: Yokohama Station
- Address: 2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
- Price: varies
- Opening hours: Stores open Sun-Sat 11AM-9:00PM
20. Old Tokaido Road
Those of you familiar with Japanese history will know that Tokaido road was one of the most important five routes during the Edo period. It connected Edo (or modern Tokyo) to Kyoto. Today, people still use the road and it is considered one of the most heavily traveled areas in Japan. People will still walk the original road today!
21. Tsurumi
Those of you looking a slice of Okinawa should come to Tsurumi. It has one of the largest population of Okinawan people. There are many Okinawan streets featuring food and shops. Misuike Park at Tsurumi is also one of the best places to view the cherry blossoms during the spring time.
22. Kozukue Castle Ruins
Kozukue Castle should really be classified as fort. Nevertheless, it is one of the only remaining castle ruins in the Yokohama area. The ruins are completely authentic and has had no cosmetic restructuring done to it like other historical sites. Most of the time, the castle ruins is a very peaceful area, but it can get lively during the April festivals!
Information
- Name: Kozukue Castle
- Address: 222-0036 Kanagawa Prefecture
23. Shomyoji
Shomyoji is a smaller temple in Yokohama. While it is not well-known as the other temples in the area, it is really a hidden gem. It has the same beauty, but without the usual bustling crowds. The temple was owned by Kanesawa Joujo-shi. It has a beautiful bridge and Japanese style garden.
Information
- Name: Shomyoji
- Address: 212-1, Kanazawa-cho, Kanazawa-ku
- Price: varies
- Opening hours: Open Sun-Sat 8:30AM-4:30PM
24. Yokohama Museum of Art
This museum of art features many prominent modern artists such as Picasso, Magritte, Dali, and Matisse. They also have many pieces by important and famous Japanese artists such as Imamura Shiko and Kanzan Shimomura.
Information
- Name: Yokohama Museum of Art
- Address: 3 Chome-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward
- Price: 500 yen
- Opening hours: Open Sun-Sat 10AM-6:00PM
- Website: http://yokohama.art.museum/eng/visit/index.html
25. Yamate
Those of you looking to live in Japan as a foreigner, check out the Yamate area. It has a high population of foreigners and expats. There are many western style homes, although much of the area has been rebuilt since the earthquake of 1923. There is also a historical cemetery where many foreigners were buried back n the 1850s-1900s.
26. Zoorasia
Zoorasia is a popular zoo in Yokohama. The zoo is themed by climate zones like the tropical forest, subarctic forest, amazon jungle, and even more. There are animals like polar bears, exotic elephants, and ferocious tigers. It is a fun afternoon especially for people with children.
Information
- Name: Zoorasia
- Address: 241-0001 Kanagawa Prefecture
- Price: 500 yen
- Opening hours: Open Sun-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM
- Website: http://www2.zoorasia.org/foreign/
27. Dim Sum
Due to the size of the Chinatown in Yokohama, Dim Sum has always been popular in the area. If you’re looking for some fast and delicious food make your way over there to try out some dim sum. Popular items include “sheng jian bao”, which are fried buns, and soup dumplings. There are plenty of delicious fried dumplings on every street corner here.
28. Buying Silk
Yokohama used to be a major trade port for expensive and precious silks. There are many places where you can buy silk brocades and perhaps even a kimono if you have the means to do so! There is even a silk museum for those interested in the history of the silk trade that has occurred in Yokohama for many years.
29. Make your own ramen cup
Information
- Name: Cupnoodles Museum
- Address:2-3-4 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0001,Kanagawa Prefecture
- Price: 500 yen
- Opening hours: Open Sun-Sat 10:00AM-6:00PM
- Website: http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/index.html#_=_
30. Cruise
The Yokohama bay is a beautiful area and what better way to explore it than on a boat. There are plenty of cruises in Yokohama that will allow you to spend the day on the water. It is surely to be a relaxing and beautiful experience!
Yokohama is a big city with a small town charm with plenty of fun for all visitors! There are many adventures to be had here.
Have a good trip and travel.
