Yokohama.
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Overview

On the western coast of Tokyo Bay directly south of Tokyo, Yokohama (横浜) is the second largest city in Japan and one of the cities most used to seeing foreigners.

Understand

First a fishing village, Yokohama developed into a bustling port city following the establishment of foreign trade after the opening of Japan in 1854. It was the site where Commodore Matthew Perry landed and forced Japan to sign the Kanagawa Treaty ending over 200 years of isolationalism by the Tokugawa Shogunate. At the forefront of the Meiji restoration, the first train line in Japan connected Tokyo and Yokohama. However, Yokohama was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and again by the firebombings of World War II, and never really regained its prominence. It remains a maritime city to this day and retains an international flavor.

Tourist Information The city has a multilingual Official Visitors Guide site.

Get in

Yokohama is half an hour away from Tokyo, and effectively forms a part of the giant conurbation.

Yokohama does not have its own airport. You can reach Yokohama from Tokyo's two main airports.

The cheapest access from Narita Airport involves a Keisei train. Most Sky Access trains run to Keisei Ueno, but there are a handful each day which run through to Yokohama (and beyond; generally to Kanazawa-Bunko) on the Keikyu Main Line.

The Express has several variants: If the train's destination is Shin-Zushi (新逗子) or Kanazawa-Bunko (金沢文庫), then you can stay on the train for the entire trip. If the train goes to another destination, it's likely to continue on into Tokyo so you will need to change at Keikyu-Kamata station to the next main line limited express train going in the other direction.

The overwhelming majority of visitors to Yokohama arrive from Tokyo by train. A multitude of train lines connect the two cities at roughly equal prices, but some of the more convenient options are:

Tokyu Toyoko Line (東急東横線) from Shibuya to Yokohama Station. Up to eight kyūkō (急行) and tokkyū (特急) trains per hour.

The Toyoko Line station in Shibuya is deep underground, due to its connection with the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line subway. On a positive note, this allows trains to continue north to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and into Saitama.

JR Ueno-Tokyo Line (上野東京ライン) and Tokaido Main Line (東海道線) from Ueno, Tokyo and Shinagawa stations (all on the Yamanote Line). Departs every 10 minutes; more trains during rush hour. Commuter Rapid Service (通勤快速) and Shonan Liner (湘南ライナー) trains do not stop at Yokohama Station. JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン) from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Ōsaki. This was the first JR line that connected the western part of the Tokyo metropolis to Yokohama; it competes with the Fukutoshin and Toyoko lines.

JR Trains from Ōmiya and Urawa in Saitama and Akabane in northern Tokyo run towards Yokohama using either the Shonan Shinjuku Line or the Ueno-Tokyo Line.

JR Yokosuka Line (横須賀線): A less-convenient alternative from Tokyo Station and Shinagawa. However, it is the route of choice if coming from stations east of Tokyo on the Sobu Rapid line, such as Tsudanuma and Chiba, as most of these trains continue onto the Yokosuka line. Departs every 15 minutes or so from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour. JR Keihin-Tohoku Line (京浜東北線) from Nippori, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, and Shinagawa Stations. This train stops at more stations in Yokohama than the Yokosuka Line, including Sakuragicho (桜木町), which is within walking distance of Chinatown. It is also a convenient route from stations north of Tokyo in Saitama prefecture. About 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station. Departs every 5 minutes from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.

Keihin-Kyuko Main Line (京急本線), or Keikyu for short, from Shinagawa and Haneda Airport. Most trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue onto the Keikyu line. Keikyu WING (京急ウィング) trains do not stop at Yokohama. A useful connection from the western Tokyo suburbs on the Odakyu Line. The Sotetsu Line also has through-service to the JR Line (via the Shonan-Shinjuku Line) to Shibuya and Shinjuku. There are no direct trains coming from Shonandai to Shinjuku on the Sotetsu Line, so a transfer at Nishiya is needed for service to the JR Line. Alternatively, those from Shonandai can take the Odakyu Line which also runs into Shinjuku.

Shinkansen trains go to Shin-Yokohama station instead, a few stations away from the main Yokohama station. Alternatively, take the Shinkansen to Shinagawa and change to the Tokaido, Yokosuka or Keihin Tohoku lines. If your final destination is Chinatown or the harbor area, taking one of the non-Shinkansen trains listed above is likely to be faster.

Minato-Mirai Line The Minato Mirai Line (みなとみらい線) is a direct extension of the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Connection with the lines is at Yokohama Station, and the line has five stations: Shin-Takashimacho (新高島町), Minatomirai (みなとみらい), Bashamichi (馬車道), Nihon Ōdori (日本大通り), and Motomachi-Chūkagai (元町・中華街), terminating at the posh Motomachi shopping street and the second largest Chinatown in the world. The line’s stations are worth seeing, especially Minato-Mirai Station itself, where you are able to see straight up to the very spacious entrance hall (7 floors in all) of the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the second tallest building in Japan.

Bashamichi Station is built with artifact bricks and hosts the remains of the first western style bank of Yokohama. Bashamichi (literal translation: horse carriage street) was the first street in Japan to have gas fired street lighting, which were re-installed lately. Bashamichi Station is surrounded by historical buildings, built only a century ago, but for Japanese standards are a true catapulting into westernization. Thus all buildings remaining (partially rebuilt after the heavy bombings of World War II) are protected as “historical – cultural national treasure.”

Nihon-Ōdori Station is similar to Bashamichi Station. Nihon-Ōdori (meaning Japan Avenue) is a two lane-two way avenue, which back then separated the living quarters of the foreign delegation and Japanese.

The line runs parallel to the Keihin-Tohoku Line. The line runs through the very historical parts of Yokohama, when Japan opened up to Western civilization.

Get around

Yokohama is not a very automobile-friendly place, especially for foreigners. Public transit and walking works best. The official guide site has some maps in English.

The Minato Mirai 21 subway line from Yokohama station down the harborfront to Chinatown is the best method of accessing the main tourist haunts. The main subway line is useful primarily for transfers between central Yokohama and the Shinkansen station. JR Negishi Line (根岸線) is also available for Chinatown and Minato Mirai Area. All Negishi Line Trains with the blue line are direct service via the Keihin-Tohoku Line. For suburban areas, Yokohama has a subway and extensive commuter rail lines that crisscross the city from every direction and to all neighboring cities.

Yokohama Subway (横浜市営地下鉄) has two lines: the main Blue Line from Azamino to Shonandai and the short Green Line from Hiyoshi to Nakayama. You can get around Yokohama easily using the subway lines.

Kutsu Bus is a sight-seeing bus around Minatomirai, Chinatown and Motomachi. It looks like an old red bus and runs every 20 minutes on the main loop.

The "Sea Bass" boat operates between JR Yokohama station (east exit), Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park, and is one of the nicest ways to get around on a sunny day.

Velo taxis called "Cyclopolitain" (シクロポリタン, shikuroporitan) are widely available within the harbor area, while rickshaws make their rounds within Chinatown.

Central Yokohama is comparatively compact and the Chinatown/Yamashita Park area is best explored on foot.

See

Marine Tower. Considered by some to be the tallest on-land lighthouse in the world. Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yokohama's port opening. In clear conditions, visitors can see Mount Fuji from the 100-metre high observation deck.

Hikawa Maru. This passenger liner made 238 voyages across the Pacific to Seattle and Vancouver between 1930 and 1960, and served as a hospital ship during World War II. The ship is also used for movie and TV location shooting including the 1997 film Moonlight Serenade and the 2005 NHK drama Haru to Natsu.

Landmark Tower. The Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan until the construction of Abeno Harukas in Osaka. It continues to be the tallest in Yokohama. The observation platform on the 69th floor provides good views all the way to Tokyo and Mt. Fuji can be seen on clear days. The elevators are said to be the fastest in Japan.

Ōsanbashi Pier. Ōsanbashi Pier is the main international pier at the Port of Yokohama where cruise ships dock. Architecturally renovated with an abstract modern style in 2002, it provides a view of the Minato Mirai skyline. The rooftop garden is open to public and is very beautiful, especially during sunset.

Keiō University - Hiyoshi Campus. A campus of the oldest university in Japan. It is known for its campus' towering maidenhair trees, turning a lovely yellow in the fall. The Hiyoshi tunnels are underneath.

Hiyoshi Tunnels. These tunnels were the headquarters of Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Naval commanders from these tunnels ordered Kamikaze attacks, directed ground battles such as the Battle of Okinawa, and naval engagements like the Battle of Leyte Gulf during the later years of World War II. There are many rooms. The university allows visits once per month.

Yokohama Bay Bridge. This is an 860-m-long cable suspension bridge spanning the Port of Yokohama. There is an observation platform attached to the Bay Bridge called Skywalk, which is only open on certain days of the week dependent on the month. To get there, take a bus in front of JR Sakuragichō station. If you cannot find the correct bus, ask for help from the Tourist information center located right in front of the station. However, the bus trip takes quite a while and there is nothing more to see than the view of Minato Mirai from afar.

Street Performance. There are many street performers, especially in Yamashita Park and Granmall Park (middle of Landmark Tower and Queens Square in Sakuragicho) every weekend. Above all, fire performance is so dynamic.

Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall. Historic red-brick building near the waterfront in Yokohama, completed in 1917 to commemorate the opening of the port. Nicknamed the “Jack Tower,” it features an elegant clock tower and distinctive early 20th-century Western-style architecture. Today it serves as a cultural venue and event space, with parts of the interior occasionally open to visitors.

Chinatown. Located next to Motomachi-Chinatown (romanized as Motomachi-Chūkagai) station, and a short walk from Ishikawachō <Motomachi-Chinatown> station on the Negishi Line, Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. These days it's unabashedly touristy, but there are plenty of Chinese grocery stores and places to buy a cheap cheongsam dress or jade knick-knacks.

Yamate. This is the neighborhood where foreigners settled and still settle. You can make a pleasant walk from the Italian garden near Ishikawachō station to the French park near Motomachi-Chūkagai station. The walk will take you along some nice houses that were previously owned by rich foreigners. Nowadays, these houses can be visited freely. A nice cake shop can be found here as well. The foreigner cemetery is also along this route and houses a small museum with some pictures of the Motomachi shopping street in the old days and some more cartoons showing how the Japanese saw foreigners.

Yokohama History Museum. This museum introduces Yokohama's history from Primary period to Modern period. Next to the museum, there are excavations of Yayoi period.

Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama. Museum dedicated to the creation of cup noodles by Momofuku Ando. Exhibits about the history of instant noodles.

Anpanman Children's Museum. Museum showcasing the popular children's TV and book character Anpanman. Children can play with many hands-on exhibits and meet Anpanman and friends. You can buy anpan (bean-jam filled pastry) and many goods in the gift shop.

Equine Museum of Japan. Exhibits on the history of horsemanship in Japan and the ecology and physiology of horses. There are also special events to interact with horses.

Kanagawa Museum of Modern Literature. Located in Harbor View Park, this museum specializes in modern Japanese literature. The museum holds large-scale exhibitions several times a year and collects materials on various authors. The museum also has a reading room where visitors can obtain a variety of materials.

Sankei-en Park. (三渓園). 35 min by bus from Yokohama Stn. SE of Naka Ward, this is a traditional style of park and known as Teien (lit. "set park"). Opened in 1906, this large park (17,5000 ft²) has many Japanese traditional buildings, 13 of which have been designated as national heritages.

Yamashita Park. You can see the whole port of Yokohama and there's a lot of greenery. A short walk from Motomachi-Chinatown Stn (元町・中華街駅), JR Ishikawachō station (JR石川駅), JR Kannai station (JR関内駅).

Kishine Park. A large park 9 min away from Yokohama Stn, this is strictly for the locals most of the year, but very popular during cherry blossom season.

Kamoike Park. True to the name, "Duck Lake Park" has a large lake, with ducks during the day and fireflies often visible at night in the rainy season.

Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Park. The original building was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the present structure dates from 1997.

Kikuna Sakurayama Park. A small park called "carbon yama" by the locals with many trees all along the streets. If you go to there in spring, you can see beautiful deep pink double-flowered cherry trees called "yae-zakura" in Japanese. Yae-zakura is powerful rather than fine. The park is a popular place for cherry blossom flower viewing. In the summer, there are swimming pools. There is a pool for children, a 25-m pool and a running water pool.

Negishi Forest Park. Redeveloped from a former horse racing track, this is a large rural park with the Equine Museum of Japan on its grounds. You can ride horses on the third Sunday of each month from 13:00. You can also give horses carrots every Saturday 13:30 to 13:45. It is closed on Monday, First of April, 28th December to 4th January

Hiyoshi Park. There is a fountain, playground equipment, and a big grass square. There are many beautiful Japanese apricot trees in spring with white and pink flowers. You can enjoy ball games there too.

River Karasuyama. This is a narrow river, but cherry trees are along both sides of the river. In spring, the cherry trees are in full bloom and very beautiful. Also, there are lawn and benches here, so you can relax on the benches in a good weather.

Moro-oka Kumano Shrine. Okurayama area. Take Tokyu-Toyoko Line from Yokohama Stn, about 10 min. Then, 7 min walk from Okurayama Stn. This is a famous shrine in Yokohama. Its god is a bird which has three legs. This bird seems like the symbol of the soccer teams of Japan. Therefore, as well as many soccer fans, even Japanese soccer players visit here and pray for the victory of their team. Of course, many other people pay the first visit of the year every year.

Shōmyō Temple. It is a temple built by Hojo Sanetoki in 1258. It has developed into Kamakura Period. It is specified for the historic site in Japan. There is a beautiful garden. A lot of cherry blossoms bloom in spring. Moreover, precincts are illuminated at fireworks of summer and the New Year and it is very beautiful.

Soujiji. Buddhist order of Sōtō, Zen temple.

Kamoi Sugiyama Shrine. Small neighborhood Shinto shrine up on a hillside.

Kikuna Shrine. A small Shinto shrine in the middle of the Kikuna neighbourhood. In the autumn, the shrine holds a Bon festival honoring ancestors. There are regular festival activities such as a Bon dance as well as food, floats, and amusement stalls.

Yokohama Stadium. Located in Naka ward. A short walk from Chinatown, Kannai station, or Nihon-ōdōri station, this is probably one of the most fun places to watch a baseball game in Japan. Known as the BayStars Stadium, the Yokohama Baseball Team of the Central League, the Stadium itself was built on the remains of the Cricket Ballpark of the last century for the British delegation.

Nissan Stadium. This is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in Japan. The final match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup was held here. This is a home ground of J league soccer teams, Yokohama F. Marinos and Yokohama FC. There are also facilities such as soccer fields, skateboard parks and basketball courts are available for free to the public. It is accessible from Kozukue or Shin-Yokohama stations.

Yokohama Arena. This is the biggest arena in Japan. Many famous musicians have concerts there. If you want to go to those concerts, you need to buy the tickets in advance. There are also flea markets here sometimes. In this case, you don't need any tickets or admission. Check the official website for the detailed schedule

Kanagawa Budokan. Kendo (Japanese fencing), judo and archery tournaments.

Anniversaire Hills Yokohama. It is a hall for wedding ceremonies. See wedding ceremonies and bless the bride and groom with not only their family or friends but also people who happen to be passing by. When you visit there at night, you can see illuminations.

Okurayama Memorial Hall. A beautiful building with a hall, gallery, and assembly rooms. It is on the grounds of a park with Japanese apricot trees worth seeing. Local concerts are sometimes held at the hall.

Do

Yokohama Cosmo World. Across the water from Minato Mirai 21, is a small amusement park which boasts the Cosmo Clock 21, a 112.5-m Ferris wheel which doubles as "the world's largest clock" (the 60 arms double as second hands). The park also has two roller coasters, a log flume ride and several other attractions.

Manyou Club. It is near the Yokohama Cosmo World in Minato Mirai 21. It is a spa resort. There are many kinds of baths to try while making the rounds. At night, you can see the lights of Yokohama from a foot bath on the roof. You can enjoy and relax all day, because there are beauty salons, massages, and restaurants in this urban resort.

Hakkeijima Seaparadise. This large amusement park with aquarium, various attractions and shops was opened in 1993. Get off at Seaside line "Hakkeijima" station. There is an area called "Dolphin Fantasy" that exhibits dolphins, including a white one, with a 360° view. You can touch some animals like penguins.

Zoo Nogeyama. Noge area, and 15 min from JR Sakuragi-cho Stn or Yokohama subway line on foot or you can use a city bus from Sakuragi-cho Stn. There are 100 kinds of animals in it including reptiles, birds, and mammals, and there is a petting zoo for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice. 09:00-16:30. Free.

ROUND 1. This is amusement park. You can bowl, sing Karaoke, and play billiards and darts in here. 15 min on foot from Yokohama Stn (west gate).

Nissan Water Park. Shin-Yokohama. 12 min walk from Shin-Yokohama Stn, and 7 min walk from Kozukue Stn. This is an indoor pool inside Nissan Stadium. It has two parts; the indoor pool and the indoor hot-water pool. Nissan Water Park is located indoor and you can borrow anything, so you can enjoy swimming and being relaxed at anytime in any kinds of weather all year. M-Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 09:00-17:00 (& holidays).

Yokohama National Pool. Swimming pools and gyms. They are used global games and personal users.

The Bon dancing festival. The Bon dancing festival' is held in Kamoi during the summer. It is a Japanese traditional festival. People wear 'yukata' (浴衣) which is Japanese traditional clothing. There are many booths. So, you can eat traditional foods. And also, people enjoy doing 'Bon dancing'.

Karaoke Box. There is a karaoke box near the Kamoi station. Karaoke means people can sing songs in the room. It started in Japan because it was invented by Japanese. Therefore, it's Japanese culture. Some people can enjoy it. Some people can sing a variety of songs in there. Lately, there are many services in there. It has a high popularity among the young and the old.

Buy

Minato Mirai 21. A futuristic city district built entirely on reclaimed land. Accessible primarily through Minato Mirai Stn (みなとみらい駅), but also frequently accessed via Sakuragicho Stn (桜木町駅). Lots of shopping options spread out within it, including:

Landmark Plaza / Queen's Square. Giant complex starting from within the Landmark Tower, through to the Pan Pacific Hotel. If you like high-end shopping, then this is the place to check out. Also home to one of the five Pokémon Centers in Japan, wildly popular with kids.

Pacifico Yokohama. Cafes, restaurants, shops and hotel. Sometimes concerts are held here.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse "Aka Renga Souko". At the fringe of the MM21 area near Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) Historic port building dating to 1907. It has been restored and is home to many boutiques, fashionista or otherwise.

Yokohama World Porters. Near Cosmo World and Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) Many shops and restaurants, slightly less expensive shopping mall experience perhaps catering to the tweens, teens and twenty-somethings you see walking around.

JoinUs Yokohama. This maze-like shopping arcade is at the west exit of Yokohama station. There are some restaurants, supermarkets, boutiques, bookstores and so on in here. These shops are inexpensive. But depending on shops, this arcade can be a little complicated; so take care and "Don't lose your way".

Kiyouken. A most famous shop of shuumai (焼売, Chinese steam meat dumpling). You can get central gate (中央口) of Yokohama station (between Keihinkyukou line and keihintohoku line).

Yodobashi Yokohama. West Exit Forget Akihabara, this gigantic "denki-ya-san" branch is more than suffice for all your electronics needs. Also has a selection of duty free items. Be sure to sign up for a point card; you'll receive a percentage in points depending on the purchase (usually 13%), which can then be applied same as cash on future purchases at any Yodobashi nationwide.

Yokohama Bay Quarter. 7-min walk from East Exit, across the river from Sogo, steps away from Sea Bus stop Up-market stores set in a pet-friendly, open-air and often breezy atmosphere with great views of the waterfront! Food options are on the gourmet side.

Yokohama Vivre. Japanese fashion at its best (or worst, depending on your take) for 20- and 30-somethings. Think Shibuya 109 and Parco. Beer garden on the top.

Motomachi. (元町) is a small but fashionable shopping district located near Chinatown. Get off at Minato Mirai line "Motomachi-Chinatown" station or JR line "Ishikawacho" station.

Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside. An outlet shopping mall located in Kanazawahakkei bay area. You get off at Sea side line "Torihama" Stn. It looks like small bay side town. There are about 220 shops. For example, Adidas, Nike, Coach, Edwin and many other popular brands.

LaLaport Yokohama. The largest shopping mall in Kanagawa, located in Kamoi. You get off at Yokohama line "Kamoi". There are about 370 shops, cinemas and restaurants.

Isezaki Mall Shopping Street. Accessible via Kannai Station (関内駅) Great for the adventurous few who don't want to break the bank shopping at Minato Mirai. Anchored by Matsuzakaya department store, with countless mom and pop stores dotting the area. Lively by day, but be wary at night as the area tends to get a bit seedy.

Sagami. Sagami is a kimono specialty store. The kimono is very expensive. However, you can buy the kimono at popular prices in this shop. You can rent the kimono. Japanese often put on the kimono at the New Year and a ceremony. At fireworks of summer, they puts on the yukata. Yukata is informal summer kimono.

Cubic Plaza Shin-yokohama. This is a station building at Shin-yokohama Station. There are many types of shops in it. There are 25 restaurants and 9 cafes, and other shops. For example, many shops for clothes, shoes, accessories and bags. Also, a bookstore, some household goods stores, even a bearty-treatment clinic are here. Of course, you can just go shopping or having meals anytime, but it is convenient for passengers for Shinkansen to buy lunchboxes or souvenirs quickly.

Minatomirai Tokyu Square. This is a building which has Japanese fashionable things. Just imagine a little Shibuya 109. Also, Starbucks is in here.

Colette・Mare. This is a big mall which opened in 2010. Many shops, restaurants, bars, theater, and lifestyle things are in. It takes only a minute to go here from Sakuragicho Stn of JR line.

Shiba Fishing Port. Fishing port where the catch from Tokyo Bay and nearby is landed, with local specialities including conger (anago), lobster (ise-ebi) and sea bass (tai). 1:30PM onwards on Sundays and public holidays only.

Eat

Shitateya. Tiny local seafood eatery. Try the deep-fried oysters (kaki furai).

Le Sucre. Pseudo-French bakery well known for its cheesecakes.

Italian Bar BASIL. Though a stand-bar by nature, a great place to take in a nicely paced meal if you can get a seat. Recommendations: any antipasto and risotto, complemented with sangria or wine of the day.

Kua'Aina. Hawaiian-style burgers. Big menu with standard and gourmet burgers, as well as some American-style sandwiches.

Tori Dori. No English menu, however knowledge of yakitori lingo should suffice.

Shabu-Shabu Buffet Syabu-Yo. Vegetables, desserts, and a full range of drinks are set out buffet-style while staff keeps the meat coming. Has a very Japanese atmosphere (music, decor) without being over-the-top.

Tinun. Classier version of the local Thai restaurant chain. Stir-fried noodles are a must.

Edaminami Parisienne. Bakery shop known for its curry doughnuts.

Yokohama Kurikoan. Famous for their version of taiyaki, a Japanese pastry usually made with red bean paste, but here they use chestnut paste (kuriko-an) instead.

Sante Ole. Shop known for its "coroquette burger", using potato inside instead of beef. Major Leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka ate here in his school days.

Bunnosuke Chaya. The shop's warabi-mochi (わらび餅) (bracken-starch dumpling) is recommended for its rich moderately sweet flavor of soybean flour.

Konaraku. The restaurant serves okonomiyaki and monjayaki.

Rasuta. Ramen restaurant. Tonkotsu ramen with thick noodles is recommended.

Linden Baum. Restaurant known for its sweet baumkuchens, cakes, and roll cakes.

Maruya. Take-out shop selling Japanese sweets and sushi rolls.

Shin-Sekai. A stall near Kikuna station selling Taiyaki.

For Chinese food, head to Chinatown (中華街 Chūkagai), which has over 200 Chinese restaurants. One of the most popular foods in Chinatown is Nikuman (肉まん nikuman), or bread filled with pork and vegetables, which are sold by dozens of stores and vendors. Chinatown is the terminus of the Minato Mirai 21 line. It is all you can eat style Chinese food spot with no time limit. It has 4 floors, B1 to 3F.

Shinyokohama Ramen Museum. Paradise for noodle lovers, but not just because of the exhibits of the history of instant ramen noodles. The centerpiece here is the basement, which contains a recreation of 1950s-era Tokyo done in incredible detail, complete with operating branches of a rotating selection of ramen joints from around Japan and the world. Expect to queue, but if you really love your noodles, it's worth it.

Chano-ma. There is a large floor about 60 cm up where you can lie down with blankets and some pillows like a living room.

Tachibana. Wanko-soba restaurant, which are Japanese noodles served in refillable small bowls.

Manchin-Ro. Cantonese food restaurant with over 100 years of history in Yokohama's Chinatown. During lunch time it is run as a kind of self-service restaurant.

Daidai-ya. This restaurant serves creative dishes, mixing Japanese and Western foods. In addition to the food, the view is very beautiful at night. You can see Cosmo World and the Cosmo Clock (a Ferris wheel) illuminated. By the window, there are some seats for couples - good for dates. Reservations are recommended for these seats.

Sun road. A small Western-style restaurant near Kikuna Station. Syogayaki - ginger-flavored slices of grilled pork - is especially recommended. The owner/cook is very frank.

Nagomi. A very small restaurant serving tempura The restaurant uses seasonal seafood and vegetables. Try the "Ten-Don", tempura donburi.

Tonkatsu Sakurai. Tonkatsu restaurant with some mixed Japanese and Western dishes. No English is spoken. You can eat as much salad and bowl of rice as you want.

Landmark Tower. Multi-use tower with Japanese, Chinese and French restaurants on the 68th floor with unparalleled views of Yokohama and Tokyo.

Seryna. Steaks served Japanese teppanyaki-style, but set inside of a turn-of-the-century Western atmosphere. Sweeping views of Bashamichi's historic buildings and MM21.

Drink

Summer brings the beer gardens : both Luminè Department Store (near Yokohama Stn) and the Star Hotel sport the rooftop variety, or there's a real garden next to Yamate Jubankan.

Benny's Place. American-style sports bar complete with baseball memorabilia, cable TV, darts, and a friendly owner who'll gladly tell you about his days in the U.S. Navy at "Yah-kohska". And the biggest hamburgers served this side of the Pacific.

Downbeat. Another jazz bar, but this one features an extensive record collection, a "record menu" and a foreigner friendly staff. Request a song out of the menu and the owner will put it in the queue.

Hogs Head. If you like the Windjammer, you will like this Irsh/American-themed bar too. The pub is trying hard to look as Irish/American as can be and is doing a very good job. Basic food, pasta, pizza and snacks are also available. Unique about the bar is its size, which can be classed as rather large in the area of Bashamichi, Kannai, where small, tiny sized bars are common. There is no live band, but the music jamming out of the speaker systems throughout the bar is Jazz, and the bar is very quiet and emphasis is placed on enjoying your drink. Reservations for large groups.

Oriental Café. A small diner which plays house music continuously and the interior unique décor is in line with the music it plays.

The Tavern. This, the first British pub/restaurant in Yokohama, is the regular watering-hole for expats and foreign business travelers who come back to Yokohama regularly. About 70% of the clientele is Japanese, and is single-lady friendly! When you enter, it's like walking into a pub in England, and the large selection of food and imported draught beers help keep the one of the busiest night-spots in central Yokohama. Fish & chips is highly recommended.

Windjammer. A classy jazz bar on the edges of Chinatown run by an American expat who loves to put on a show for his customers. Bands play downstairs most nights and there's a large screen for those on the second floor showing the action below. The decor is decadent and there's a chocolate fountain with fruit for dipping.

Sleep

Yokohama Hostel Village. Inexpensive accommodation.

Guest House Kanalian. 7 min walk from Yokohama Station West Exit. Beautiful handmade wooden house, really impressive and the host Lee is extremely hospital. Expect to chat over some beers with him.

Hotel Associa Shin-yokohama. This is on the upper floors of Cubic Plaza Shin-yokohama. This hotel is connected to Shin-yokohama Stn, so there are some rooms which you can see the Shinkansen coming and going all the time. Also, the furnishings of those rooms are associated with Shinkansen.

Hotel Monterey Yokohama. Is in Yamashita Park and it has view of Minatomirai and Bay Bridge. 6-1 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku. 3 min from Motomachi-Cyukagai Stn. 3 min walk to Chinatown and doll house (Ningyou-no-ie).

Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel. .In the cylindrical skyscraper right outside Shin-Yokohama Stn, where the Shinkansen (新幹線) calls). A rather quiet corner of Yokohama, it is well connected by the Yokohama Line (横浜線), or the municipal subway (市営地下鉄) and various municipal city buses (市営バス). 10 min away it is an ideal place to stay with mediocre quality whilst saving money. The Prince Hotel is one of the largest chains of hotels in Japan, run by the behemoth company Seibu. Foreigners registering as Prince Club members on the hotel website enjoy additional reductions, but only if you register and apply prior to arriving in the country.

Toyoko Inn Yokohama Sakuragi-cho. Perhaps a slightly less fancy Japanese version of Holiday Inn. Numerous locations throughout Yokohama aside from this one.

Yokohama Isezakichō Washington Hotel. A serviceable but quite pricey middle of the road hotel with air conditioning and high speed internet in every room.

Yokohama Isezaki cho Washington YGH.

Yokohama International Seamen's Hall. Nautical theme that caters to men in the merchant marines. The rooms are very large, clean, and comfortable. 1 block away from the Motomachi-Chinatown Stn and 2 blocks away from the gates of Chinatown. Internet free (20mbps down, 1.5mbps up).

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yokohama-Totsuka. 2 min walk from Totsuka JR and Yokohama Municipal Subway Station.

Splurge The three main hotels in the Minato Mirai area are the ultimate in local luxury, and occasionally offer their rooms on sale at bargain prices.

InterContinental Yokohama Grand. One of the most recognizable features in the Yokohama skyline – it's the sail-shaped building near the Landmark Tower.

Hotel New Grand. A historic hotel, opened in 1927, overlooking Yamashita Park. One of the hotel suites is maintained as it was furnished when General Douglas MacArthur stayed there during the occupation. There is an eighteen-story extension from 1991.

Yokohama Royal Park Hotel. Takes up the mid-section of the Landmark Tower.

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers. 1 min walk from Yokohama Station.Sheraton in Yokohama beautiful bay.