Things to do in Yokohama

About Yokohama

Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city and its primary gateway for international trade since the mid-19th century. Located on Tokyo Bay, the city blends historical port architecture with modern skyscrapers like The Sky Garden, Yokohama Landmark Tower. Visitors can explore the extensive culinary offerings in Yokohama Chinatown or relax in the tranquil landscapes of Sankeien Garden. The waterfront district serves as a hub for both commerce and leisure, featuring landmarks like the Cup Noodles Museum and the iconic ferris wheel at Yokohama Cosmo World.

Good to know

1. 1

   Yokohama was the first Japanese port to open to foreign trade in 1859, quickly evolving from a small fishing village into a major metropolitan center.

2. 2

   The city is home to one of the world's largest Chinatowns, which developed organically due to early Chinese merchant communities settling near the port.

3. 3

   Yokohama pioneered many Western-style innovations in Japan, including the first daily newspaper, the first gas lamps, and the country's first brewery.

4. 4

   The city's street layout in the central district remains heavily influenced by the grid patterns established by foreign settlers during the Meiji era.

5. 5

   Yokohama is a rare major Japanese city that celebrates its multicultural heritage through a dense concentration of preserved colonial-era buildings.

6. 6

   Despite its massive industrial footprint, the city maintains significant green spaces like Sankeien, a sprawling garden built by a silk merchant using relocated historical structures.