This post is about the top things to do in Yokohama to make the most out of your trip. Keep reading and you’re guaranteed to fall in love with this port city just as much as I did.
It’s an easy day trip from Tokyo, a mere 30 minutes by train, and very walkable once you get there. There’s countless things to do and has amazing ocean views everywhere you look.
A few of my favorite places to add to your itinerary are: Yokohama Chinatown, Red Brick Warehouse, Yamashita Park, and the Osanbashi Passenger Terminal. Keep reading on for the entire list.
This post may contain affiliate links and I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. Please see my disclosure for more information.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan and the largest city in Kanagawa Prefecture. It’s just a short train ride away from Tokyo and located in the Tokyo Bay.
It was in my bucket list of places to visit because of the Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal designed by Foreign Office Architects (FOA).
I learned about this building during my time in architecture school and was impressed by the design. More on this below.
So while I was living in Tokyo for my 4-month sabbatical (Oct 2023 – Feb 2024), I planned a trip to see this terminal and was blown away by the rest of Yokohama. Yokohama day trip is an excellent idea if you wanted to get out of Tokyo for a day.
If I could name a sister city, it’d definitely be San Diego, CA, the laid-back coastal vibe is so similar and both places have amazing beers!
Getting To Yokohama
Getting to Yokohama from Tokyo is a breeze, making it an ideal day trip destination, similar to Enoshima. There’s several trains you can take from many of the major stations across Tokyo, such as Shibuya and Shinjuku station.
Take the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, the Ueno-Tokyo Line, or the Yokosuka Line, and in about 30 minutes, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Yokohama and access to many things to do.
All these lines lead to Yokohama Station, and from there, you can reach several parts of Yokohama using the subway trains such as the Minatomirai and the Keihin-Tohoku Line or by foot.
Things To Do In Yokohama
There are no shortage of things to do in Yokohama, I’m listing a few below that I’ve personally visited and/or have been recommended to me.
You can easily spend more than a day, I’d recommend at least two. I’ve visited 3 times (twice as a day trip and once for an overnight stay).
For those only coming for a day trip, be sure to check out the following:
Minato Mirai District of Yokohama
I discovered Minato Mirai, Yokohama’s iconic waterfront district, during our overnight stay. We stayed at Sakuragicho Washington Hotel – a 4.5 star hotel steps from the subway station and several malls.
There are plenty other hotels in this area that make it a convenient place to stay near the train stations. I recommend the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel or the InterContinental Yokohama Grand. Pay a little extra for a room with bay views – you won’t regret it.
This area has many large towers and giant malls atop train station (Minatorai Station) complexes similar to the ones in Tokyo. Some of the must-visit spots in this small area are:
Yokohama Landmark Tower
The Yokohama Landmark Tower’s is a large building complex with offices, a mall, food court, hotel (Yokohama Royal Park Hotel), and a sky garden observation deck that offers panoramic views that’ll leave you breathless.
It’s 69 floors above ground and on a clear day you might even spot Mount Fuji in the horizon. The tickets to the observation deck are 1,000 yen for adults (klook). I recommend going at sunset.
Yokohama Museum of Art
If you’re an art lover, definitely check out the museum of art. It has a great mix of traditional and contemporary art.
The entrance to Museum’s collection exhibition is free and you have to purchase a ticket to view any special exhibitions.
Rinko Park
It’s a small waterfront park with beautiful views of Yokohama Bay and the iconic skyline. There’s wide open spaces and scenic walking paths (with the promenade literally right next to the water).
It’s a great park to unwind after a day of exploring. Definitely a place to add to your list of things to do in Yokohama.
Pukarisanbashi Pier
Is a cute and charming ferry terminal and pier. Come at sunset for picture-perfect views of the bay. There are also ferry and boat tours that come and go from this pier.
Nippon Maru
Step aboard the Nippon Maru, Yokohama’s iconic sailing ship turned maritime museum, right next to the Landmark Tower. Explore its rich history: all the decks, cabins, and engine rooms with their tour with entrance only at 800 yen.
It’s a great way to spend an hour exploring the maritime museum. They have interactive displays (about the construction and service), model ships and historical artifacts (such as tools used by sailors and uniforms).
Yokohama Air Cabin
Take in stunning city views on the Yokohama Air Cabin, a calm cable car ride over Minato Mirai. It gives stunning city views as the gondola rises—unforgettable and heart-stopping.
From up in the air, you can admire the cityscape, waterfront, and iconic landmarks. It’s easily accessible and a fun way to travel, connecting the Minatomirai and Sakuragicho Stations.
A one way adult ticket is 1,000 yen, two-way ticket is 1,800 yen. There are also set tickets you can purchase to visit the Yokohama Air Cabin and the Giant Ferris Wheel at Cosmo World (Cosmo Clock 21).
Yokohama Cosmo World
For a dose of excitement, head to Yokohama Cosmo World, an amusement park in the heart of the city with a giant ferris wheel (the iconic Cosmo Clock 21) that offers spectacular views of Yokohama.
It has many rides from roller coasters to rides for your children, making it an excellent family friendly activity.
And if you’re in town for New Years Eve, they have a great countdown timer featuring a clock in the ferris wheel and welcoming the New Year with fireworks.
I’ve never personally visited the park (I’m not into amusement parks) but from the outside I always see families enjoying themselves.
Cup Noodles Museum
This place is such a unique culinary experience! I didn’t get a chance to come here during my first visit, but I sure made it a point to visit the second time around.
This is a museum dedicated to instant cup noodles and it was so nostalgic! It brought me back to my days of eating Chicken Cup Noodles as a kid, usually a snack when I got home from school. Sometimes my mom let me have it as breakfast during the weekends. Such good memories.
In this museum, you’ll discover the history of the food that you can find in every konbini store in Japan, and even create your personalized cup of noodles (tickets sell out fast for this experience so book ahead of time).
It’s a fun and interactive experience for people of all ages.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
This is an amazing destination for shopping and culture combined.
It is a historical landmark (literally two red brick warehouses with a large open space in the middle) turned into a shopping and entertainment complex containing boutiques, artisanal shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Inside each warehouse, there’s many shops and boutiques in this large, open space area. It’s one of the best places for unique souvenir shopping.
The warehouse often hosts cultural events, performances and contains an art gallery.
Several times a year, the courtyard between the warehouses is set up for events such as a Christmas Market in December and the Strawberry Festival in February to name a few. These are great things to do in Yokohama during seasonal festivities.
It’s one of my favorite destinations in Yokohama because I love browsing the shops and strolling around the grounds looking out to the bay.
Shopping Malls in Yokohama
Yokohama offers an amazing shopping experience. Here are a few highlights within walking distance:
Marine & Walk Yokohama
One of my favorite outdoor malls is Marine & Walk Yokohama. It offers open-air shopping, waterfront dining, and stunning views.
Check out Pie Holic, an American restaurant with a yummy selection of savory and sweet pies. And the InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 is a mere steps away (at the Hammerhead Shopping Complex) if you wanted to stay in a hotel close by.
Hammerhead Shopping Complex & Park
This is a two-story building with restaurants and gift shops right next to a park. It’s attached to an InterContinental Hotel (above) and has one of the best 7-Eleven I’ve ever been to.
This 7-Eleven has the best and largest selection of canned craft beers I’ve ever seen.
Yokohama World Porters
Is a large shopping mall, you won’t miss it. It has an arcade, movie theater and tons of stores.
I visit it for the Bandai Namco Cross Store to buy souvenirs and cards for my anime and gaming friends (Pokemon and OnePiece)
There is a good mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, there’s no doubt it will be one of your top things to do in Yokohama!
Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal
The Osanbashi Pier has amazing views and striking architecture. Great spot for all ages and a must in your things to do in Yokohama.
This is an international ferry terminal for ferries and cruise ships and the main reason why I wanted to visit Yokohama in the first place.
It’s designed by FOA (Foreign Office Architects), a young UK practice who won the design competition in 1995 put on by the city of Yokohama. It was completed in 2002 and looks like a futuristic landscape with radical and curving form, not traditional to pier designs.
It’s not only a port, but also a public promenade with views. The large wooden deck / roof is completely walkable, a pedestrian promenade for the public. The deck wavy shapes mimic the ocean’s rhythm.
This made the design revolutionary for its time because it embodied the architect’s belief in the responsibility of large-scale projects to enrich urban spaces. I think they did an excellent job.
The terminal also has shops and restaurants with views to the water. I enjoyed a beer and snacks at the on-site cafe while enjoying the ocean views.
Yamashita Park
I love strolling through Yamashita Park, a picturesque waterfront park with stunning views of the Yokohama Bay Bridge. It’s a popular sightseeing spot during the weekend for friends and family for gatherings and picnics.
This park also has magic and acrobatic performers during the weekend, attracting large crowds to these performances.
It’s a great spot for looking out to the bay and people watching. During the weekdays it is more quiet and serene.
Yamashita Park stretches between the Yokohama International Passenger Terminal and the Gundam Factory (now permanently closed), a complex dedicated to the Gundam anime franchise and houses a life-size Gundam robot.
Yokohama Marine Tower
Yamashita Park is home to the iconic Yokohama Marine Tower. This towering landmark provides sweeping views of the city and bay. In the evening, the tower lights up beautifully, making it an unmissable sight.
Visit if you want panoramic views from the observation deck and amazing photo opportunities against the beautiful cityscape.
NYK Hikawa Maru
Don’t miss the NYK Hikawa-Maru, a historic ocean liner (that survived WWII) and now a maritime museum, moored at the park’s edge. This grand old ship tells stories of past voyages with its elegant art deco style and preserved interiors.
The views from the deck are stunning, the photo ops amazing, and well worth the visit.
The entrance fee is 300 yen, and I easily walked the entire museum in 1 hour, learning about the way people used to travel through the ocean and seeing firsthand how each space in the boat looked like.
You can explore all the cabins (and see first-hand how people used to travel back then!), decks, and engine rooms. I romanticized what it was like traveling in first class and enjoying all the lounges and dining areas.
Take A Cruise on Tokyo Bay
For something different to do, book a cruise that sets sail in the Tokyo Bay.
There are different types of cruises: sightseeing, dinner cruises, afternoon tea time, and special occasions, each one offering a different experience.
I contemplated going on a sunset dinner cruise for my birthday once, but didn’t end up doing it because my husband has other plans. Next time for sure!
Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama has the largest Chinatown in Japan, and it’s a great place for food lovers with it’s many dining options. The vibrant streets are filled with red lanterns, street vendors selling delicious smelling snacks and sweets, and restaurants with tasty dim sum, savory bao, and mouthwatering Peking duck.
You can find all types of Chinese cuisine in Yokohama Chinatown, from Cantonese to Sichuan to name a few. The streets are lined with restaurants so it can be overwhelming to choose one.
Thankfully, there are menus with pictures just outside the restaurants. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
I love starting my day with some dim sum and ending my day with a dinner set meal to try a little bit of everything (get the mapo tofu, you’ll thank me later).
Don’t forget to explore the unique shops and markets offering traditional Chinese goods, candies, and snacks.
The Kanteibyo Temple is one of the main attractions, it’s a masterpiece of vivid colors and intricate details, standing as a tribute to Chinese heritage
My last trip to Yokohama Chinatown I visited several breweries and bars and it was an amazing experience!
Other Noteworthy Things To Do In Yokohama
The following activities aren’t within a close walking distance to the items listed above. Yokohama is such a large city and these places require more travel than the ones above.
Still, I think it’s worth a visit.
Yokohama Stadium
It’s a stadium is set in the middle of the city, surrounded by many restaurants, bars, and breweries. It’s home to the Yokohama Dena Baystars.
Be sure to catch a baseball game here if you follow the sport! It’s close to Chinatown so definitely worth a visit since its on the way.
Sankeien garden
I’ve never personally visited this garden but have heard great things about it.
Take the bus 30-40 minutes bus ride South and a 10 minute walk from the bus station to the gardens.
This traditional Japanese garden showcases seasonal beauty with cherry blossoms in spring and warm foliage in autumn.
Stroll along meandering paths, cross charming bridges, and discover historic tea houses nestled among lush greenery.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
The ramen museum is about 18 minutes by train (Blue line) north going towards Tokyo, right off Shin-Yokohama Station.
I’m a ramen lover and really wanted to check out the museum: dive into ramen history and taste ramen from all over Japan.
You can buy a one day ticket or get a yearly membership (which was almost the price of a one-day ticket). We opted to buy the yearly membership.
The first floor is a museum with various exhibits teaching about the history of ramen and how it made its way to Japan, the types of ramen soup bases, and the types of ramen per region. It was very informative.
One the first floor there was also a ramen making class (which we didn’t attend).
The different ramen shops were on the basement level and it’s a recreation of a 1958 Tokyo street with every corner occupied by a ramen shop serving different types of ramen and broths.
You line up outside each shop you want to try their ramen and buy a “ramen bowl” ticket from the machine. You can choose between a full serving or half serving, and every person has to buy an item. We were only able to eat ramen from two shops and we were so full at the end of our time there.
The ramen was delicious, although expensive, and the experience was underwhelming. I was expecting small tasting samples from each region rather than pay an entrance fee to basically a bunch of ramen shops (each purchased separately).
We couldn’t try all the different ramen shops because the portions are large (even though we ordered half size).
From what I heard, a lot of local employees from the surrounding area come here for lunch.
I think it’s still worth visiting, but definitely on an empty stomach! My favorite ramen is the Hakata ramen, and my husband enjoys the Sapporo ramen.
Conclusion
Yokohama has a lot of things to offer, from great food and beer to amazing shops. You can easily make it a Yokohama day trip.
I love it because it’s so close to the water (California girl here), something you don’t get a lot of in Tokyo, and the weather is amazing, especially when the sun is out.
Have you visited before and what was your favorite place? Send me a message and let me know!
Curious about other places I’ve visited? Check out my Oaxaca posts and Los Angeles (my hometown).
If you’d like to support my blog, consider buying me a coffee . I really hope to see you out there exploring the world!
