{"id":26930,"date":"2022-10-05T15:00:53","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T15:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26930"},"modified":"2023-12-15T08:14:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T08:14:12","slug":"yokohama-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/yokohama-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Yokohama: Japan\u2019s iconic port city"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a long day spent pounding pavement and taking in the sights, you find a secluded spot to sit – stone steps along a canal that weaves in and out of the city proper. You replay the day in your mind as you crack open a crisp beer to wrap up the night in style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The aroma of traditional Japanese cuisine, the allure of high-class shopping centres stocked with glimmering souvenirs for the fam back home, and (most of all) the invigorating buzz of the streets and crowded bars lingers in your memory. But now, you\u2019re taken with the quiet midnight scene before you. An above-ground train passes in the distance, reflecting lights that shine in the serene water below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to Yokohama <\/strong><\/span>\u6a2a\u6d5c,<\/strong> Japan<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stick around to discover all this incredible, underrated destination has to offer including a brief history, a list of things to do, and some tips to make your visit one to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why you might like to visit Yokohama<\/b><\/h2>\n

Looking for a big city that lives at a slightly slower pace than Tokyo? How about a city that seamlessly blends old-Japan grit with modern luxuries? Or a place with an iconic skyline visible from nearly anywhere along its scenic harbour?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yokohama is a city of delicious cuisine, historic sites, fun museums, gorgeous scenery<\/strong>, and a criminally underrated reputation because of its proximity to Tokyo. Where Japan\u2019s capital steals the show with tourist-friendly mega attractions, Yokohama charms visitors with its more subtle graces.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a marriage of low-key luxuries, big city amenities, and idyllic views of the sea are your thing, go see Yokohama!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Yokohama<\/p>\n

A brief history of Yokohama\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yokohama is a major port and the second biggest city in all of Japan. Japanese officials wanted to keep its first port, Kanagawa \u795e\u5948\u5ddd, closed to foreigners. So because of its distance from Kanagawa and its superior deepwater harbour, Yokohama became Japan\u2019s centre for foreign trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After an economic boom fueled by trade around the Meiji Restoration period, Japan combined the Kanagawa <\/span>\u795e\u5948\u5ddd<\/span> and Yokohama wards into Yokohama City in 1889. The combining of the two areas brought great prosperity for a time. But unfortunately, Yokohama was rocked by military conflict and natural disasters in the years following.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 1923 Yokohama-Tokyo earthquake killed about 20,000 people and devastated the city until about 1927. Then, allied forces bombed Yokohama in 1945 and occupied the city until 1952.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In spite of these tragedies, Yokohama bounced back during Japan\u2019s population boom of the 1960s-80s making it Japan\u2019s second largest city<\/strong>. Today, it continues its legacy as one of Japan\u2019s most important ports and international centres of culture. In 2013, it received nearly 11,000,000 million yen in cargo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Best Places to Visit in Yokohama\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yokohama is a massive, exciting city with plenty of variety in things to do, and beautiful spots to see. Let our list below be your starting point for one amazing visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore Yokohama Station and Minato Mirai<\/b><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s no better way to get to know a city than a stroll around its streets. Depending on the atmosphere you\u2019re looking for, there are two main points you might want to start wandering about in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yokohama Station gives you the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and plants you at the heart of the city. Go here first if you want to be filled with the city\u2019s kinetic energy as you walk busy, narrow streets around the plethora of shops, bars, and restaurants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like something a little more downtempo, check out Minato Mirai \u307f\u306a\u3068\u307f\u3089\u3044. That\u2019s Yokohama\u2019s port district. It\u2019s got a slightly more elegant and high-class feeling to the shops and restaurants. The main draw here is the beautiful views of the sea and the relaxed, lowkey feeling that flows through the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u014csanbashi Pier\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u014csanbashi Pier, or \u014csanbashi International Passenger Terminal (<\/span>\u014csanbashi Kokusai Kyakusen T\u0101minaru<\/span><\/i> \u5927\u3055\u3093\u6a4b\u56fd\u969b\u5ba2\u8239\u30bf\u30fc\u30df\u30ca\u30eb<\/span>), is Yokohama\u2019s main international passenger port and the best place to see the city at night. In 2002, the pier was one focus of an international design competition. Now, it functions as a beautiful park open to the public on the top level, a multi-purpose expo hall in the middle, and a functional port on the lower levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wait until about sundown and look out over the sea to spot one of Yokohama\u2019s most iconic scenes – the three towers of Yokohama (King, Queen, and Jack) and the multi-coloured ferris wheel of Minato-Marai\u2019s amusement park.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Yokohama<\/p>\n

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Want to shop the day away or pick up a few souvenirs? Head to Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (<\/span>Yokohama Akarenga S\u014dko <\/span><\/i>\u6a2a\u6d5c\u8d64\u30ec\u30f3\u30ac\u5009\u5eab), a boutique shopping and dining space held in historic buildings dating back to the 19th century. Two buildings comprise the current day warehouse. They were once used as government customs buildings. Today, the two red brick buildings here are a popular spot for tourists to shop, see an interesting remnant of Yokohama\u2019s past, and admire the open scenery of the surrounding port.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yamashita Park<\/b><\/h3>\n

Once you need to give your feet a rest, take a seat at Yamashita Park (<\/span>Yamashita K\u014den <\/span><\/i>\u5c71\u4e0b\u516c\u5712). Located just beside the port, Yamashita is the perfect spot to people-watch or take in the peaceful sights and sounds of the water. And don\u2019t forget to do a loop through the lush flower garden near the park\u2019s entrance if you\u2019re visiting in spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pikachu Festival<\/b><\/h3>\n

Every August you can witness one of Yokohama\u2019s most adorable special events of all – the Pikachu Festival! To celebrate everybody\u2019s favorite electric mouse, costume-donning revelers parade the streets in various iterations of Pikachu. To enjoy the festivities, head to Minato Mirai, Akarenga, or Grand Mall Park. Make sure to finish the evening at Rinkai Park\u2019s dance party featuring 50 syncopated Pikachu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Local cuisine\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Thanks to Yokohama\u2019s role as an international trade hub, you\u2019ve got so many great options when it comes to local specialities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beer lovers will want to head to the <\/span>World Beer Museum<\/b> to try craft brews from all over the world. If you\u2019re visiting in late April, check out the <\/span>Yokohama Fr\u00fchlingsfest<\/b>, an Oktoberfest-style beer festival near Akarenga.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eating meat wasn\u2019t always a common occurrence in Japan. This was especially so after the introduction of Buddhism, which prohibited people from eating meat. However, people still ate some animals and especially beef started becoming more popular towards the end of the 1800s. In 1868, a quaint restaurant named \u014cta Nawanoren<\/span> (\u592a\u7530\u306a\u308f\u306e\u308c\u3093) opened in Yokohama to serve a dish called <\/span>gy\u016bnabe<\/i><\/b> \u725b\u934b, or \u201cbeef pot\u201d<\/b>. In other parts of the country such as Kansai, this dish was called <\/span>sukiyaki<\/span><\/i> \u3059\u304d\u713c\u304d. <\/span>You can still visit the original <\/span>\u014cta Nawanoren<\/span><\/a> to enjoy this hearty and filling treat.<\/span><\/p>\n

And no Yokohama guide is complete without mentioning its Chinatown, Japan\u2019s largest centre of Chinese cuisine<\/strong>. Head to Motomachi-Chukagai Station (\u5143\u753a\u30fb\u4e2d\u83ef\u8857\u99c5) and look for the iconic red, Chinese-style arches marking the entrance. Most of the food here is authentic and delicious. But make sure you don\u2019t go without trying some <\/span>sh\u014dronp\u014d<\/span><\/i> (\u5c0f\u7c60\u5305), steamed, soupy dumplings that originate from Shanghai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Live and study in Yokohama, Japan\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yokohama is one amazing place to experience life in Japan. It offers all the best perks of living in Tokyo without some of its more difficult challenges. This includes infamously cramped apartments and a ceaseless bustle that could be overwhelming for some. And a quick trip to the bay from nearly anywhere in the city makes for an amazing place to renew your spirits.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to stay an extended time in Japan, check out our language school program at <\/span>Yokohama Design College<\/span><\/a>. Here, you\u2019ll learn Japanese language and culture at a vocational school for local Japanese students. You\u2019ll have so many chances to interact with and learn authentic Japanese from the natives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Best of all, you\u2019ll be situated just a minute away from Tobe Station (<\/span>\u6238\u90e8\u99c5)<\/span> and a short ride away from Minato Mirai. It\u2019s just one of Yokohama\u2019s many beautiful locales to make memories that last a lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yokohama is situated so conveniently to Tokyo that you could also apply to study at one of our partner schools there while living in Yokohama. Check out your options on <\/span>our website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make your dreams of a life in Japan a reality with Go! Go! Nihon and contact us<\/a> to apply.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After a long day spent pounding pavement and taking in the sights, you find a secluded spot to sit – stone steps along a canal that weaves in and out of the city proper. You replay the day in your mind as you crack open a crisp beer to wrap up the night in style.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":117,"featured_media":25883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[401],"tags":[663,685],"class_list":["post-26930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-in-japan","tag-experience","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}