Yokohama Sights and Landmarks Guide, Japan

Yokohama

There’s much more to see in the land of anime and sushi than meets the eye.  And for the curious tourist ready for adventure and excitement, there is a place south of Tokyo that presents a different side of Japan.  Get ready to be amazed and taken with Yokohama.

Traveling To Yokohama

To get to Japan’s second largest city, you need to get through Narita International Airport which will bring you first to Tokyo.  From there you can take a 30 minute train ride to bring you south to Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture.  Before heading for that train, do take some time to exchange your cash for some Japanese Yen, which is the country’s form of currency.

Going Around Yokohama

Just like any tourist, having a tourist map is helpful.  Walking around this port city is a feast for the senses and to see more of it there are available modes of transportation like trains, subways, buses and even ferries.  A great way to enjoy the bay views of Yokohama is to take the Marine Shuttle from the Yokohama ferry station for some serious sightseeing.

The Sites of Yokohama

To get into the culture and architecture of Yokohama, visit the Sankeien garden which features a serene pond and some of the most beautiful flowers.  This lush garden was built in 1904 and houses historical buildings, traditional tea houses and a three-tiered pagoda.

To be truly amazed by this city, check out Minato Mirai, which means ‘the harbor of the future’.  It is here you can find one of Japan’s tallest buildings, the Landmark Tower. There is also the nearby Yokohama Cosmo World theme park that features a Ferris Wheel that offers breathtaking views of the city.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this city is the Yokohama Chinatown, considered the largest Chinatown in Japan.   A recent addition to this town is Daska, which is being advertised as a food theme park that is guaranteed to interest the palate.    

The Sounds of Yokohama

Yokohama is a bustling city by day and it spills over at night.  The party scene this city offers is filled with bars and lounges that will satisfy the average partygoer.  The most popular clubs to be in is the Downtown Club, the Yokohama Bay Hall and Gas Panic.

For those seeking the recluse of the city at night, there are places where you can enjoy the night views like the Yokohama Bay Bridge or through the 69th floor of the Landmark Tower called the Sky Garden.  These places offer lounges and restaurants where you can enjoy the food, the music and the views.

Half an hour from the busy streets of Tokyo is a city as vibrant and as thriving as the city of Yokohama.  This port city offers a unique landscape and a way of life that is both modern and traditional.  Visiting this city is a visual treat that only proves that Yokohama should never be overlooked.