YOKOHAMA
Yokohama
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 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.
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Sankeien Garden
A bit of a hike to get here, but in Cherry Blossom season it's worth the trouble for sure. Overall, a gorgeous gardens with lots of little walkways, ponds, waterfalls, streams, places to sit, and perfectly manicured grass. |
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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. |
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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. There is even a little museum in here with a North Korean submarine that was captured. |
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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. There are other rides that are fun in this amusement park. |
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Minato Mirai
The Landmark Tower observatory is fun and you can 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. |
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Yokohama Chinatwon
It always seems strange to me going to Japan and then going to Chinatown. Why not just go to China? Well, this is the largest Chinatown in Japan so it's pretty cool. There are something like 600 shops stuffed into this little area of Yokohama. If you fancy Chinese food for dinner, this is the place to go. Just wonder around and get lost in the maze of lanterns, alleyways, and endless food. |
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Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
If you are into aquariums, this place is for you. Whale Sharks? Sign me up. Roller Coaster? Yep, they have that too. My favorite part is listening to all the people looking at the fish saying, "That looks delicious". It is Japan after all. |
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Motomachi Street
A street dedicated to shopping on the south side of Yokohama. There are some decent restaurants in this area as well, but mostly this is the place to go for some shopping fun. Personally, I think there are better streets to get your shop on in Tokyo, but it's a pretty place to stroll down. |
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Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
If you like Ramen, and want to spend an hour just eating tons of ramen, then this is worth the trip. You have to travel up to Shin-Yokohama station to go here, so it may not be worth your time, but if you want to eat a ton of ramen before getting on the Shinkansen, that can work out too. Just store your bags at the station in one of the lockers. |
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Cup Noodles Museum
If you are really into processed Ramen, then this is interesting to see. Not the most engaging place I have ever been, but you do get to make your own cup of noodles. The history behind this ubiquitous food is pretty interesting and my kids did enjoy getting aprons on and making noodles. |
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Yokohama Foreign Cemetery / Yamate (The Bluff)
Not on many tourist websites, but the houses up here are pretty cool and the cemetery pretty fascinating. The views are pretty great from up here on the bluff. Founded when a Marine on Commodore Perry's ship died, it's just an interesting place. Also, the first LDS meetinghouse in Yokohama is up here with a plaque dedicated to the opening of Japan for the preaching of the Gospel by Heber J. Grant, Alma O. Taylor, and Louis Kelsch. |
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Anpanman Children's Museum
If you have little kids, anpan museum may be for you. There is a lot to love about a superhero whose face is made out of sweet bread. Granted, anpan man is a big deal in Japan, it is not as well known in the United States. However, it is a place where Japan's kitschiness is on full display. |
PLACES TO EAT IN YOKOHAMA
There are a million places to eat in Yokohama. It's pretty hard to go wrong. Get on google, look at some places and pick one. You'll probably love it. There are a few places we have gone that we like to revisit, but truthfully, there is no secret. Just follow the advice that a 3.5-3.9 star review on Yelp is likely a money sweet spot.
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Bills Yokohama
If you came to Japan to eat Japanese food only, then this is not the place for you. If you want a good meal or want the best pancakes ever, then check out Bills in the Red Brick Warehouse. It's a great spot to relax, have a good conversation and enjoy some comfort food. |
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Teppanyaki Ushinari
If you want to sample high end meat (think high end wagyu) or you like meat in general, then this is a great place for Yakiniku. It's located near Yokohama station, but it has everything you could ever want in the meat department. Definitely worth the time. |
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Pizzeria & Trattoria Mano e Mano
Outside of Italy, we probably eat more margarita pizzas in Japan than anywhere else in the world. They just have good pizza and Italian food in Japan. There are a lot of places you can go, so find a place that looks good and go for it. |