Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview
Yokohama feels more relaxed than Tokyo even though it is a city of more than three million people. Most sights cluster within walking distance of each other along the waterfront, from the futuristic towers of Minato Mirai to the red-brick warehouses, Yamashita Park and Chinatown.
Most visitors see Yokohama as a day trip from Tokyo — central Yokohama is roughly 30–40 minutes from Shibuya or Tokyo Station by train — but staying a night lets you enjoy the illuminated harbour after dark and pair the city with Kamakura or Hakone.
Neighbourhoods & areas
Minato Mirai 21
The modern waterfront district: Landmark Tower, Cosmo World's Ferris wheel, Queen's Square, museums and the Yokohama Air Cabin urban ropeway. Pleasant to walk and lit up at night.
Chinatown (Chūkagai)
Japan's largest Chinatown, with hundreds of restaurants and food stalls inside ornate gates, plus the colourful Kanteibyo temple. Busy at weekends and lunchtime.
Kannai & Bashamichi
The historic centre with early 20th-century Western-style buildings, Yokohama Stadium and plenty of mid-range hotels and izakaya.
Yamate (The Bluff)
A leafy hilltop area where foreign merchants once lived. Several preserved Western residences are free to visit, and the Harbor View Park lookout lives up to its name.
Shin-Yokohama
The Shinkansen station area — practical rather than charming, but home to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum and Nissan Stadium.
Top sights & experiences
Sankeien Garden
A large traditional garden with historic buildings moved here from Kyoto, Kamakura and elsewhere, including a three-storey pagoda. Beautiful in plum, cherry and autumn-leaf seasons.
Cup Noodles Museum
An interactive museum about instant ramen where you can design your own cup noodle package (small extra fee, popular — arrive early).
Red Brick Warehouse (Aka-Renga Soko)
Restored early 1900s customs warehouses with shops, cafés and seasonal events such as a winter Christmas market.
Yamashita Park & Hikawa Maru
Waterfront park with sea views; the moored 1930 ocean liner Hikawa Maru can be toured.
Osanbashi Pier
The international cruise terminal has a wave-like wooden rooftop deck that's free to walk and great for skyline views.
Landmark Tower Sky Garden
Observation deck high above Minato Mirai with views across the bay and, on clear days, to Mt Fuji.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
A food theme park recreating a 1950s-era streetscape with branches of ramen shops from around Japan; half-size bowls let you try several.
What to eat
Chinatown dumplings & buns
Steamed pork buns (nikuman), xiaolongbao and sesame balls from street windows — easy, cheap grazing.
Iekei ramen
Yokohama's own rich pork-and-soy ramen style, usually customised for noodle firmness and oil level on a slip at the counter.
Sanma-men
A local noodle soup topped with stir-fried vegetables in a thickened sauce, found in old-school Chinese-Japanese restaurants.
Napolitan spaghetti
Ketchup-based pasta said to have been popularised at a Yokohama hotel after the war — a retro café classic.
Where to stay by budget
Budget
Business hotels and a few hostels around Kannai, Sakuragicho and Yokohama Station offer good value compared with central Tokyo.
Mid-range
Chain hotels around Minato Mirai and Yokohama Station — ask for a bay-view room.
Luxury
Several upscale hotels sit on the Minato Mirai waterfront and in the Landmark Tower, with harbour views.
Rough nightly ranges: hostels and capsule hotels often run a few thousand yen per person; business hotels commonly ¥8,000–¥20,000 per room; upscale hotels and ryokan can be far higher, especially in peak seasons. See our accommodation guide.
Getting there
From Tokyo, the Tokyu Toyoko Line runs from Shibuya and continues straight onto the Minatomirai Line to Minato Mirai and Motomachi-Chukagai (roughly 35–40 minutes). JR Tokaido, Yokosuka and Keihin-Tohoku lines connect Tokyo Station and Shinagawa to Yokohama and Sakuragicho. JR Pass holders can use JR lines.
Shinkansen stop at Shin-Yokohama, a short subway ride from the centre. Haneda Airport is about 20–30 minutes away by Keikyu Line or airport bus.
Getting around
Walking covers most of the waterfront. The Minatomirai Line, the city subway, JR Negishi Line and sightseeing buses fill in the gaps. Sankeien Garden is a bus ride from Yokohama or Sakuragicho stations. IC cards work everywhere; Minatomirai Line day passes exist if you plan to hop around.
Day trips & side trips
Kamakura
Temples, the Great Buddha and beaches, around 25–30 minutes by JR Yokosuka Line. See our Kamakura guide.
Hakone
Hot springs and Fuji views; Odawara (gateway to Hakone) is around 20 minutes from Shin-Yokohama by Shinkansen.
Enoshima
Island with shrines, sea caves and seafood, reachable via Fujisawa or the Enoden line.
Tokyo
If you base in Yokohama, central Tokyo is under an hour away.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times for waterfront walks; Sankeien's plum and cherry blossoms are highlights. Summer is hot and humid but brings fireworks over the harbour. December brings illuminations and a Christmas market at the Red Brick Warehouse. Chinatown celebrates Lunar New Year in late January or February.
Local tips
- Chinatown is jammed at weekend lunchtimes — go mid-afternoon or on a weekday.
- The Minato Mirai skyline is best after dark: walk from Sakuragicho to the Red Brick Warehouse and Osanbashi.
- Combine Yokohama and Kamakura in one long day only if you skip the museums — otherwise give each its own day.
- The Cup Noodles Museum is busiest on weekends and school holidays; check opening days before you go.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: