Day 1
🗻🇯🇵日本へようこそ 🇯🇵🗻
Japan!
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! Chances are, if you flew in from the United States, you are arriving in the early afternoon. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! Chances are, if you flew in from the United States, you are arriving in the early afternoon. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
NARITA / HANEDA TO YOKOHAMA
There are several ways to get from Narita to Yokohama. Taxi, Uber, Train, and Bus. The typical way is to take the Narita Express Train (JR Narita Express N'EX to Yokohama). Most of them go straight through, some of them require you to change trains at Tokyo Station, so try to avoid these because they take longer and you are tired and it can be easy to get lost in Tokyo train stations when you are tired.
From Haneda, by train, you take the Keikyū Line to Yokohama Station. You can also take a taxi from Haneda, which typically costs around 60 dollars. The taxi stand queue can be long, but it can be easier if you are just tired and don't want to hop on a train.
Once you get to Yokohama station, you can transfer to the Minato Mirai Subway line to get down into Yokohama or take a Taxi that drop you off at the door. For me, it all depends on how tired you are. Tired = taxi (though the taxi queue can be quite long at times). Not-tired = take the subway and walk a bit.
HOTELS
Westin Yokohama
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Intercontinental Pier 8
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Westin Yokohama - A lovely hotel with amazingly comfortable beds, amazing staff, and great views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day. One of our favorite hotels in Yokohama.
Intercontinental Pier 8 - A great place to stay if you are going on a cruise as it is right next to the cruise terminal. A beautiful hotel with amazing amenities.
Intercontinental Yokohama Grand - Iconic tower in Minato Mirai with nice amenities. Fun to know that everyone is looking at you when you are staying there.
Intercontinental Pier 8 - A great place to stay if you are going on a cruise as it is right next to the cruise terminal. A beautiful hotel with amazing amenities.
Intercontinental Yokohama Grand - Iconic tower in Minato Mirai with nice amenities. Fun to know that everyone is looking at you when you are staying there.
YOKOHAMA
Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, is a lively port city known for its stunning waterfront views, modern attractions, and rich history. Once a small fishing village, Yokohama quickly grew into an international trading hub after Japan opened its ports to foreign trade in 1859. Today, Minato Mirai 21, the city’s futuristic district, is home to Landmark Tower, Japan’s second-tallest building, and the iconic Cosmo Clock 21, a massive Ferris wheel that lights up the skyline. Yokohama is also famous for its Chinatown, the largest in Japan, where you can try delicious pork buns, dim sum, and other Chinese-Japanese fusion dishes.
Yokohama offers a mix of traditional and modern experiences. The Sankeien Garden is a beautifully preserved Japanese-style garden with historic tea houses and temples, perfect for a peaceful stroll. Meanwhile, the Cup Noodles Museum lets visitors create their own instant ramen, celebrating Japan’s love for noodles. Baseball fans can catch a game at Yokohama Stadium, home of the BayStars, while those who love the ocean can explore Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, an aquarium and amusement park built on an island. There is amazing shopping, eating, and wacky museums. There is something in Yokohama for everyone.
YOKOHAMA AT NIGHT
Yokohama is super fun to just walk around at night. If you have the energy, then explore a little bit, grab some food, then turn in early for an early start the next day to get over your jet lag.
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A pedestrian plaza that cuts across the water from the Nippon Maru park to Unga park. It's a great place to walk and get fabulous views of the Landmark Tower, Cosmo Clock Ferris Wheel, and Yokohama. Great way to walk back from the Red Brick Warehouse after dinner or just stroll along. |
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A fun place to shop, eat, or just walk around. It gets you out and about Yokohama. You can stop at World Porters on the way, or just wander over here. We are partial to eating at Bills and getting the pancakes. They are super tasty and heavy and makes it easier to fall asleep after a long day of traveling. |
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We're partial to just looking at the Ferris Wheel, but riding it is super fun and gets you amazing views of the city at night as well as Landmark tower. If you are not too tired, then going to Cosmo World and getting a ride can be pretty fun. |
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Minato Mirai
If it's early in the evening, you can always head to Landmark Tower and enjoy views from Japan's second largest building. There are many sky cafes and restaurants that boast views as well where you can grab a bite and get a night view. Queen's square is right next to the metro and great place to shop and eat. Landmark Plaza likewise has all kinds of food and shopping as well. No shortage of places to eat around here. |
TRAVEL TIP
Yelp and Google Reviews in Japan
Google and Yelp reviews in Japan are often much lower. In fact, if they are not, then you can be sure the reviews are fake or it's likely a tourist trap for Westerners. A 3.8-4.1 rating on Google in Japan is excellent, and should be considered a really great place to eat. In fact, some of the best meals we have had in Japan have been at places with a 3.5-3.8 average rating. You know that it's at least authentic, frequented by locals with those types of ratings. Japanese reviewers are much more strict than in the US where everything seems to have a rating of 4.8 - 5.0. So just be wary of 5 star reviews in Japan, it probably is a tourist trap or at least, not that great.
PLACES TO EAT SUSHI
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Mawashizushi Katsu Yokohama Sky Bldg.
Sushi!
Back up toward Yokohama Station, this is a conveyor sushi restaurant that is pretty good. Best bang for your buck if you want fish. Plus, conveyer sushi, it's so fun. |
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Numazu Uogashizushi Yokohama Landmark
Sushi!
In the Landmark tower, another solid sushi place that locals like. It's not super fancy, but it's a good place to get decent sushi. |
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Sushi No
Sushi!
Close to Bashamichi station, this is a fancier sushi place. There are private tables and of course the counter seating area. Reservations are required and it is probably best to plan ahead if you want fancy sushi here or anywhere else in Yokohama or Tokyo.
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