Yokohama, Japan: Best Things to Do – Top Picks

Did you know that despite being just a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo, Yokohama is actually Japan’s second-largest city with a population exceeding 3.7 million? This vibrant harbor city offers a refreshing escape from Tokyo’s intensity while delivering a uniquely cosmopolitan experience. As Japan’s first major international trading port, Yokohama blends historical significance with modern attractions, creating a destination that’s surprisingly spacious, stylish, and laid-back compared to its famous neighbor.

Getting to Yokohama

Yokohama’s proximity to Tokyo makes it incredibly accessible for travelers. Most visitors arrive via one of these convenient routes:

Best Time to Visit Yokohama

Yokohama enjoys distinct seasons, each offering a different experience:

Getting Around Yokohama

Yokohama is a remarkably walkable city, especially around the main attractions in Minato Mirai and the waterfront areas. However, for longer distances, the city offers excellent transportation options:

Top Things to Do in Yokohama

From historic gardens to futuristic cityscapes, Yokohama offers diverse attractions that showcase its unique character as a port city with international influences.

1. Minato Mirai 21 Waterfront District

The heart of modern Yokohama, Minato Mirai 21 (“Harbor of the Future”) features a stunning skyline with the iconic Landmark Tower and Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel. This waterfront area combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and spectacular views in one walkable district.

2. Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden

For breathtaking panoramic views, head to the Sky Garden observatory on the 69th floor of Landmark Tower. At 296 meters high, it offers spectacular vistas of Yokohama, Tokyo Bay, and on clear days, even Mount Fuji. The elevator ride itself is an experience, being one of the fastest in the world at 45kph, reaching the top in just 40 seconds.

3. Yokohama Chinatown (Yokohama Chukagai)

Japan’s largest Chinatown is a vibrant explosion of color, aromas, and flavors. With over 600 shops and restaurants packed into 10 blocks, it’s a paradise for food lovers. Don’t miss the elaborately decorated Mazu Miao Temple and Kanteibyo Buddhist temple. Street food highlights include steamed buns, dumplings, and sesame balls.

4. Sankeien Garden

This traditional Japanese garden spans 175,000 square meters and features historic buildings relocated from Kyoto and other regions of Japan. The centerpiece is a three-story pagoda originally from Kyoto’s Tomyoji Temple, now nearly 600 years old. The garden changes dramatically with the seasons, offering cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter.

5. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga Soko)

These historic customs inspection buildings from the early 1900s have been transformed into a stylish shopping and dining complex. The two main buildings house unique boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, while the plaza between them hosts seasonal events like winter ice skating and food festivals. The waterfront location offers romantic evening views of the illuminated harbor.

Museums and Cultural Experiences

Yokohama’s rich history as Japan’s gateway to the world has created a unique cultural landscape with museums and experiences that can’t be found elsewhere.

1. Cup Noodles Museum

This interactive museum celebrates the invention of instant ramen by Momofuku Ando. Visitors can create their own custom cup noodles, explore the history of this global food phenomenon, and even make chicken ramen from scratch. The museum’s highlight is a recreation of a 1958 downtown Yokohama streetscape that commemorates the year instant ramen was invented.

2. Yokohama Port Museum and Nippon Maru

Learn about Yokohama’s maritime history at the Port Museum, then board the Nippon Maru, a preserved sailing ship that once trained over 11,500 cadets and traveled enough distance to circle the globe 45 times. On special occasions throughout the year, you can see all 29 of its sails unfurled.

3. Yokohama Museum of Art

Designed by renowned architect Kenzo Tange, this impressive art museum houses works from both Japanese and international artists. The museum’s nine exhibition rooms and Grand Gallery atrium host special exhibitions and rotating displays from its permanent collection of over 12,000 pieces.

Food and Drink Experiences

As a port city with international influences, Yokohama offers unique culinary experiences that blend Japanese traditions with global flavors.

1. Ramen Museums

Yokohama boasts two ramen-focused attractions. The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum recreates a 1958 streetscape with eight different regional ramen shops, while the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM celebrates the invention of instant ramen with interactive exhibits and workshops.

2. Kirin Beer Factory

Take a tour of one of Japan’s most famous beer breweries. While the tour is conducted in Japanese, it’s interactive enough to be enjoyable for non-Japanese speakers. The highlight is the tasting session at the end, where you can sample two or three of the brewery’s beers. The adjacent beer hall serves dishes made with local ingredients that pair perfectly with Kirin beer.

3. Noge District

Experience Yokohama’s vibrant nightlife in the Noge district, where narrow streets are lined with small izakaya (Japanese pubs) serving small plates and drinks. Look for the colorful lights and lanterns strung along the streets. Many establishments have English menus, and prices are reasonable with beer and sake costing around 500 yen each.

Entertainment and Recreation

From amusement parks to jazz clubs, Yokohama offers plenty of entertainment options for visitors of all ages.

1. Yokohama Cosmo World

This compact amusement park is home to the iconic Cosmo Clock 21, a Ferris wheel that doubles as the world’s largest clock. The park is divided into three zones: Wonder Amuse Zone, Burano Street Zone, and Kids Carnival Zone, with 32 attractions suitable for all ages. Riding the Ferris wheel offers spectacular views of Yokohama’s skyline and Tokyo Bay.

2. Yokohama Jazz Scene

Yokohama has a vibrant jazz culture with venues like Bar Bar Bar, Ben Tenuto, and Jazz Bar Venus offering nightly performances. The annual Yokohama Jazz Promenade in October is Japan’s largest jazz festival, featuring over 2,000 artists across 50 venues and attracting more than 100,000 visitors.

3. Yokohama Stadium

Experience Japan’s passion for baseball by catching a Yokohama DeNA BayStars game at Yokohama Stadium. The electric atmosphere and unique fan cheers make this a cultural experience even for those who aren’t sports enthusiasts. Food and drinks at the stadium are reasonably priced and of surprisingly good quality.

Relaxation and Wellness

After exploring the city, take time to unwind at one of Yokohama’s relaxation spots.

1. Yamashita Park

Japan’s first seaside park offers a peaceful waterfront promenade with gardens, fountains, and plenty of benches for people-watching. The park stretches from Yamashita Bridge to Shinto Circle Walk and provides refreshing sea breezes even on hot summer days.

2. Sky Spa

Located on the 14th floor of the Sky Building near Yokohama Station, this 24-hour facility offers hot spring baths, saunas, restaurants, and even co-working spaces. It’s popular with remote workers who like to mix relaxation with productivity. Overnight accommodations are available for those who want to extend their stay.

3. Shiseido Beauty Park

This unique facility by the famous cosmetics company offers more than just shopping. The Shiseido Art & Science Lab is an interactive museum showcasing the science behind beauty products, while the Beauty Retreat Theater provides a relaxing multimedia experience. The Shiseido Kitchen Lab serves meals made with ingredients selected to promote beauty and wellness.

Where to Stay in Yokohama

Yokohama offers a range of accommodation options, often at better value than comparable properties in Tokyo.

Practical Travel Tips

Make your visit to Yokohama smooth and enjoyable with these essential tips:

Day Trips from Yokohama

Yokohama’s convenient location makes it an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions:

Why Yokohama Should Be On Your Japan Itinerary

Yokohama offers a refreshing alternative to Tokyo’s intensity while still delivering world-class attractions, dining, and cultural experiences. Its spacious waterfront, diverse international influences, and blend of historic and modern elements create a uniquely appealing destination that many travelers overlook. Whether you visit for a day trip from Tokyo or use it as a base for exploring the region, Yokohama rewards visitors with a more relaxed pace and plenty of memorable experiences that showcase a different side of Japan.