21 Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Yokohama

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan and is characterized by its diverse culture, historical landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere.

Thriving as a port city, it boasts an exotic cityscape, beautiful parks, and modern shopping malls, offering a variety of attractions.

Furthermore, Yokohama is a treasure trove of food culture where you can enjoy fresh seafood and local delicacies.

This article introduces places to visit in Yokohama, historical charms of the city, and local culture and cuisine that are worth experiencing.

The reasons why there are many places to visit in Yokohama

Yokohama flourished as Japan’s first international trading port, and remnants of its exotic atmosphere in buildings and landscapes can still be found today.

Additionally, Yokohama is known as a symbol of Japan’s modernization, where historical structures coexist with modern facilities.

Being a city that attracts many foreign tourists and immigrants, Yokohama boasts diverse tourist spots, including beautiful parks, gardens, museums, shopping malls, and other attractions suitable for a wide range of ages.

Furthermore, its easy accessibility from Tokyo and its location within easy visiting distance make it an attractive tourist destination for many people.

How to get from Tokyo to Yokohama

Yokohama can be reached from major stations such as Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station via JR lines and subways.

Trains are a convenient mode of transportation in Japan, and schedules and information boards are displayed in English, making it easy for foreigners to understand.

While traveling by highway bus or taxi is also available, taking the train is the most common and convenient method.

A place to visit Yokohama’s rich culture and history

Yokohama offers a wealth of diverse and captivating spots where you can experience Japan’s modernization history, exotic ambiance, and traditional culture.

In this article, we will introduce several worthwhile places to visit in Yokohama

Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama Chinatown is not only the largest Chinatown in Japan but also in East Asia, offering a captivating experience of Chinese culture and cuisine.

Just walking through this area, you’ll be struck by the vibrant colorful gates and decorations, which embody the unique atmosphere of this neighborhood.

Yokohama Chinatown has many restaurants and dim sum stores where you can taste authentic Chinese cuisine, and the walking paths are dotted with old buildings and temples where you can enjoy the colorful and vibrant culture with an exotic atmosphere.

Sankeien Garden

Image source：Sankeien

Sankeien Garden is a Japanese garden covering 180,000 square meters, established in 1906 by Sankei Hara, a successful businessman in the silk trade.

Within the garden grounds, you’ll find 17 historical buildings collected from Kyoto, Kamakura, and other areas, with 10 of them designated as Important Cultural Properties.

Moreover, Sankeien is renowned for its plum, cherry blossom, azalea, and autumn foliage, offering visitors a chance to experience Japanese culture amidst the beauty of each season.

Yokohama Museum of Art

Image source：Yokohama Museum

The Yokohama Museum of Art is housed in a beautiful Western-style building with an impressive facade.

In addition to its seven exhibition rooms, the museum features a comprehensive art information center with over 100,000 volumes of books and an atelier hosting diverse workshops.

The exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, showcasing selections from the museum’s collection of approximately 10,000 items throughout the year. They also organize themed collection exhibitions based on various themes.

Yokohama Port Museum

Image source：Yokohama Port Museum

At the Yokohama Port Museum, you can learn about the history and development of Yokohama Port.

The museum features permanent exhibits that introduce the history and role of Yokohama Port, along with dynamic experiences such as a VR theater and interactive exhibits where you can physically experience the port environment.

Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street

Image source：Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street

Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street is a historic shopping street in Yokohama that is beloved by locals.

This area features cobblestone streets exuding a Western retro ambiance, lined with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

Motomachi is a blend of historical buildings and modern shops, offering a unique Yokohama landscape and atmosphere that you can enjoy.

Yokohama Yamate Western Pavilion

Image source：Yokohama Yamate Western Pavilion

At Yokohama Yamate Western Pavilion, you can visit seven Western-style residences including the “Foreigners’ Residence” and the “Bluff No. 18” at no admission charge.

Moreover, the Yamate area offers many spots where you can feel its international history, allowing you to enjoy a landscape that harmonizes sophisticated cityscapes with historic buildings.

Places to visit in Yokohama

Yokohama has continued to develop as an international city and is now widely known as an area of diverse tourist attractions, attracting many tourists from Japan and abroad throughout the year.

Here we introduce “9 Must-Visit Sightseeing Spots in Yokohama,” including typical tourist spots as well as the latest trendy spots.

Cupnoodles Museum Yokohama

Image source：Cupnoodles Museum Yokohama

The Cup Noodle Museum Yokohama is an incredibly unique experiential food education museum, where visitors can learn about the history and production process of the world’s favorite cup noodle.

Particularly popular is the “My Cup Noodles Factory,” where visitors can make their own original Cup Noodles by drawing their own illustrations on cups and choosing their favorite soup and ingredients to make the world’s only original Cup Noodles.

The museum also has a “NOODLES BAZAAR – World Noodle Road” where you can enjoy noodle dishes from eight countries around the world, allowing you to experience a wide variety of noodle cultures at once and enjoy your meal while feeling like you are on vacation.

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN

Image source：YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN is Japan’s first urban circulating aerial tramway, offering a 1,260 meters in length (630 meters one way) aerial walk connecting JR Sakuragi-cho Station and the Canal Park in the Shinko District.

The scenery during the day is spectacular, but at night you can enjoy the fantastic view of the glowing buildings and illuminated cityscape, and experience the charms of Yokohama from a new perspective.

Yokohama Hammerhead

Image source：Yokohama Hammerhead

Yokohama Hammerhead is a 　food-themed experiential commercial facility that includes a passenger ship terminal and an international brand hotel.

Surrounded by the sea, the facility offers new attractions where you can experience the port city of Yokohama at vantage points like the “Hammerhead Park” and “Hammerhead Deck.”

K Arena Yokohama

Image source：K Arena Yokohama

K-Arena Yokohama is a large-scale arena specialized in world-class music events, with seating for approximately 20,000 people, allowing visitors to enjoy an overwhelming sense of presence and togetherness in a vast space.

There is also “ArenaBar7,” a bar lounge where you can enjoy the night view of Yokohama, “Lounge5,” where you can relax and enjoy a drink after the concert and enjoy the urban view of Yokohama, and “Lounge6,” where you can relax and enjoy food and drink before or after the concert.

K-Arena Yokohama is very conveniently located from Yokohama Station and the Minato Mirai district, and after enjoying the music, you can enjoy the afterglow of the music with Yokohama’s port city scenery and abundant restaurants and tourist attractions.

Yamashita Park

Image source：Yamashita Park（THE GATE）

Yamashita Park is a vast 75,000-square-meter park by the beautiful seaside, dotted with historical buildings, monuments, and sculptures, offering visitors a sense of Yokohama’s history and culture.

Moreover, It is also a popular tourist spot as a viewing spot overlooking the Port of Yokohama and the Bay Bridge, and during the evening hours, the illuminated night view of the city is fantastic.

Benches are placed throughout the park, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy leisurely moments while gazing at the sea.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Image source：Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse（THE GATE）

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a distinctive retro red brick structure known as a commercial facility that houses restaurants, cafes, and stores.

It is lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere, and various events are held at the event square each season, making it a place that can be enjoyed no matter how many times you visit.

Yokohama Landmark Tower

Image source：Yokohama Landmark Tower

Yokohama Landmark Tower is a super high-rise building with 70 floors and a height of 296 meters, cherished as a symbol of Yokohama.

Inside Yokohama Landmark Tower, you’ll find the shopping mall “Landmark Plaza” with specialty shops, the “Landmark Hall” used for exhibitions and concerts, and the “Yokohama Royal Park Hotel.”

From the observation floor “Sky Garden” on the top floor, you can enjoy magnificent views of Yokohama Port and the Minato Mirai district.

Yokohama Marine Tower

Image source：Yokohama Marine Tower

Yokohama Marine Tower, constructed in 1961 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yokohama’s port opening, stands as a symbol of Yokohama.

From this 106-meter-tall tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Yokohama from its two observation floors.

The tower also has stores and restaurants, providing visitors with a variety of experiences as a tourist attraction that combines history, scenery, and cuisine.

Yokohama Cosmo World

Image source：Yokohama Cosmo World

Yokohama Cosmo World is an urban amusement park located about a 2-minute walk from Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line.

Entry to the park is free, and it features approximately 30 attractions (each with its own fee). One of its famous attractions is the Cosmo Clock 21, a Ferris wheel that stands at a height of 112.5 meters and can accommodate 480 passengers.

It offers a panoramic view of Yokohama’s landmarks.

Undiscovered Charming Places in Yokohama

Yokohama has hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path spots beloved by locals where you can experience charm, enjoy local cuisine, and savor the lesser-known attractions of Yokohama.

In this article, we will introduce some places where you can experience Yokohama’s hidden charm:

Rokkakubashi Shotengai (Shopping Mall)

Image source：Rokkakubashi Sopping Mall

Rokkakubashi Shotengai (Shopping Mall) is a lively shopping street with a retro atmosphere, lined with traditional shops, izakaya (Japanese pubs), and restaurants.

Near Rokkakubashi Shotengai, there are also establishments catering to younger crowds, including bars, Izakaya, and cozy cafes.

Furthermore, you can find specialty stores like figure shops and unique shops, making it enjoyable to simply wander around. It’s a place where you can experience the local lifestyle and culture, offering new and exciting experiences.

Noge area

Image source：Nogeyama Zoo

The Noge area is a highly appealing place for strolling and exploration, and is known as a “cultural town” with libraries and music halls, a “leisure town” with parks and zoos, and a “dining town” with many restaurants and pubs.

A popular daytime sightseeing spot is the Nogeyama Zoo, which offers free admission and is a great place for children to meet about 80 species of animals, including lions and giraffes, and there is also a petting zoo where you can interact with small animals.

And the Noge area is home to Yokohama’s most famous and deepest drinking district, loved by locals and tourists alike as a “deep night spot” with a variety of restaurants, including old-fashioned popular pubs, French, Italian, bars, and snack bars.

Yokohama’s Culinary Places to Visit

Yokohama is widely known not only as a fascinating tourist destination, but also as a gourmet treasure trove, offering a rich culinary experience unique to a port city where diverse cultures intersect.

Here are four spots that you should definitely stop by when you visit Yokohama to enjoy its culinary charms.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

Image source：Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is a gathering place for selected ramen shops from all over Japan, allowing you to enjoy various regional styles of ramen.

The museum’s first floor serves as a gallery where you can learn about the culture and history of ramen, offering an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Japan’s culinary heritage.

The ramen stores are located on the first and second basement floors, where visitors can enjoy a ramen comparison or, by reservation only, try their hand at making ramen.

Visitors can also purchase local ramen and related goods from all over Japan at the museum store, which they can take home as souvenirs or enjoy the taste of each region at home.

KIRIN Factory Yokohama

Image source：Kirin Factory

At the Kirin Factory Yokohama, you can learn about the history and manufacturing process of Kirin beer by touring the beer production line and various exhibits, and can actually enjoy beer tasting.

In addition, there’s a fun lab corner called “Nomimono Lab” where children can enjoy activities, and at the attached “Kirin Yokohama Beer Hall,” you can savor meals paired with beer.

Yamate Jubankan Restaurant & Cafe

Image source：Yamate Jubankan Restaurant & Cafe

The Yamate Jubankan Restaurant & Cafe is a restaurant and cafe located in a historic Western-style house that has stood for over 50 years.

The ground floor of the building serves as a casual cafe where you can drop in for a light meal or coffee, while the second floor offers a restaurant experience with French cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients for lunch and dinner.

This establishment allows you to enjoy a leisurely meal while experiencing the nostalgic charm of Yokohama.

Kiyoken

Image source：Kiyoken

Kiyoken is famous for its shioumai, a Yokohama specialty with a fluffy texture and rich flavor that is much loved by many.

The main Kiyoken building contains four different restaurants where you can enjoy Yokohama cuisine unique to Kiyoken.

On the basement floor, the beer restaurant “Alibaba” features an exotic interior reminiscent of a Middle Eastern bazaar, where you can enjoy not only a variety of beers and dishes that go well with beer, but also all-you-can-eat shumai at lunch time.

On the first floor, you’ll find the tea salon “Abolitam” offering traditional afternoon tea service.

On the second floor, “Il Saggio” serves Italian cuisine featuring Neapolitan traditional dishes with a Yokohama twist, while “Kagong” offers delicious Cantonese cuisine on the same floor.

Recommended places to stay for sightseeing in Yokohama

For those visiting Yokohama, a highly recommended accommodation option is a serviced apartment.

Serviced apartments are positioned between hotels and rental apartments, offering both hotel-like services and the comfort of an apartment.

These apartments feature spacious rooms, full kitchens, and amenities such as washing machines, making them ideal for long-term stays or family trips.

Choosing a Serviced Apartment allows you to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay.

One recommended option is “The Apartment Bay YOKOHAMA,” which opened on May 20, 2022. It is the largest upscale serviced apartment in Yokohama.

Image source：The Apartment Bay YOKOHAMA

The Apartment Bay YOKOHAMA is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line, making it an ideal base for fully enjoying Yokohama sightseeing, including entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences.

Another significant appeal is that guests can also benefit from the services of The Westin Hotel Yokohama, which is located within the same building.

Furthermore, the apartments offer a variety of layouts suitable for individuals, couples, and families, including accessible rooms designed with considerations for wheelchair users, ensuring ease of use for guests of any family composition.

If you’re interested, please consult「Extended Stay Finder」 which was the first to propose serviced apartments in Japan.

Through “Extended Stay Finder,” simply input your desired layout, required services, and other conditions online, and you can smoothly complete the entire contract process online.

If you contract through “Extended Stay Finder,” you can also take advantage of a limousine taxi service (gate meeting) for smooth transportation from the airport to your accommodation, ensuring a door-to-door experience.

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Yokohama’s Events and Festivals

In Yokohama, various events and festivals are held throughout the year, offering opportunities to experience local culture and traditions.

Here are some seasonal events and festivals that will allow you to fully enjoy the charms of Yokohama, and we hope you will join us.

Spring

In early January, “Chinese New Year,” or “Spring Festival,” is celebrated, and Yokohama Chinatown is decorated in a spectacular manner, allowing visitors to fully experience Chinese culture and traditions.

During the Chinese New Year, Chinatown takes on a special atmosphere, with traditional dragon and lion dances and a lively atmosphere.

In addition, restaurants in Chinatown offer Chinese New Year menus and many foods and sweets for good luck.

Summer

During the summer months, Yokohama hosts events like the Yokohama International Fireworks Festival and the Yokohama Port Opening Anniversary Festival.

The Yokohama International Fireworks Festival features a spectacular fireworks show that lights up the night sky over Yokohama, attracting tens of thousands of spectators who enjoy the impressive fireworks display along with the beautiful cityscape.

On the other hand, the Yokohama Port Opening Anniversary Festival celebrates Yokohama’s history and culture with parades and exhibitions of historical ships, among other activities.

Autumn

In the autumn season, Yokohama hosts events like the Yokohama Octoberfest and the Yokohama Jazz Promenade.

The Yokohama Oktoberfest is an event inspired by Germany’s beer festival, held around the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of beers and German cuisine while indulging in live music and entertainment.

On the other hand, the Yokohama Jazz Promenade is a festival of jazz music held throughout the city.

Performances take place in various venues including street corners and parks, allowing attendees to fully appreciate the brilliance of jazz.

Winter

In autumn, Yokohama lights up with beautiful illuminations, enchanting popular spots like the Red Brick Warehouse, Landmark Tower, and Yamashita Park with a magical glow.

Around the Red Brick Warehouse, a Christmas market takes place, offering warm drinks and delicious food alongside stunning illuminations.

At Landmark Tower and Yamashita Park, you can enjoy romantic illuminations in a serene atmosphere.

Summary

Yokohama is a city with diverse charm, offering numerous places worth visiting. Its rich history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere captivate the hearts of many people.

Moreover, with a variety of events held throughout the year, it’s a place where you can enjoy yourself whenever you visit.

We offer serviced apartments in Yokohama and other areas of Tokyo that meet your needs based on your desired area.

If you are looking for a place to stay in a convenient location where you can enjoy sightseeing and relax as if you were at home, please use “
Extended Stay Finder”.

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