Yokohama is one of the best port towns in the Kanto region and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan and even abroad.
There are many shopping malls and tourist facilities in the bay area such as the area around Yokohama Station and "Minato Mirai 21" (official name: Yokohama Minato Mirai 21). It can be easily accessed by a mere 30-minute train ride from Tokyo, making it a great day trip location when traveling to Tokyo!
Yokohama is one of the leading port towns in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is adjacent to Tokyo
Yokohama is one of the ordinance-designated cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is adjacent to Tokyo.
Since the port opened in 1859, it has long prospered as a port town. In particular, the scenery of the urban Yokohama Port is so famous that it is no exaggeration to say that it is a symbol of Yokohama. It has appeared as a filming location in many Japanese dramas (TV series).
There are 4 sightseeing areas in Yokohama! Introducing sightseeing spots and nearest stations in each area
Yokohama can be roughly divided into four areas: "Yokohama Station Area", "Minato Mirai 21 - Central District", "Minato Mirai 21 - Shinko District", and "Motomachi, Chinatown".
Here, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots and the nearest stations in each area.
1. Yokohama Station Area: More than 10 large shopping malls!
"Yokohama Station" is the central station of Yokohama City. Being a station where train lines of 6 railway companies pass, the access from Tokyo is very convenient, not to mention the access to other sightseeing spots in Kanagawa Prefecture such as Kamakura. There are more than 10 shopping malls within walking distance of Yokohama Station. The perfect place for those who love shopping!
List of recommended shopping malls around Yokohama Station
| Direction | Shopping Mall Name | Access from Yokohama Station |
| Around East Exit | LUMINE Yokohama | Immediately |
| YOKOHAMA PORTA | 1-minute walk | |
| SOGO YOKOHAMA | 3-minute walk | |
| YOKOHAMA BAY QUARTER | 7-minute walk | |
| Around West Exit | JR Yokohama Tower (NEWoMan Yokohama, CIAL Yokohama, etc.) | Immediately |
| JOINUS YOKOHAMA | 1-minute walk | |
| Takashimaya Department Store - Yokohama store | 1-minute walk | |
| YOKOHAMA VIVRE | 5-minute walk |
*Nearest station: Yokohama Station
2. Minato Mirai 21 - Central District: Talk-of-the-town museums dotted around
Top: Sail Training Ship NIPPON MARU preserved and open to the public in Minato Mirai 21 district
Bottom left: Yokohama Landmark Tower, Bottom right: Night view from Sky Garden
The Central District of Minato Mirai 21 is an area close to Yokohama Station, about 10 to 20 minutes on foot from Yokohama Station. The area is dotted with museums and art galleries.
List of recommended sightseeing spots
- The Hara Model Railway Museum: About 1,000 railroad models in exhibition and running on the model tracks can be seen
- KEIKYU MUSEUM: You can enjoy exhibitions and driving experiences of retro trains
- Yokohama Anpanman Children's Museum: A museum with the theme of children's favorite character "Anpanman"
- Yokohama Museum of Art: Exhibits a wide range of modern and contemporary art works since the opening of Yokohama Port (Currently closed for renovation work)
- Yokohama Landmark Tower "Sky Garden": Observation floor on the 69th floor of a skyscraper complex where you can enjoy the night view of Yokohama
- Sail Training Ship NIPPON MARU & Yokohama Port Museum: An actual sailing ship engraved with the history of Yokohama is on display
*Nearest station: Shin-takashima Station, Minatomirai Station (some spots are also close to Yokohama Station or Sakuragicho Station)
3. Minato Mirai 21 - Shinko District: The hub of Yokohama's popular sightseeing spots!
Top Left: YOKOHAMA COSMOWORLD, Top Right: Red Brick Warehouse
Bottom Left: MARINE & WALK YOKOHAMA, Bottom Right: Yokohama Hammerhead & Shinko Pier Cruise Terminal
In the Shinko District area of Minato Mirai 21, there are many spots that can be said to be symbols of Yokohama. With plenty of shopping and amusement facilities, it's an area where you can spend a whole day having fun.
List of recommended sightseeing spots
- YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN: An urban loop ropeway that overlooks Minato Mirai 21
- YOKOHAMA COSMOWORLD: An urban amusement park with many attractions such as a Ferris wheel
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: A historic brick building with miscellaneous goods and souvenir shops
- MARINE & WALK YOKOHAMA: Sophisticated adult shopping area with high-quality items
- Yokohama Hammerhead & Shinko Pier Cruise Terminal: A complex facility with new business formats and tenant stores opening for the first time nationwide
- Yokohama World Porters: A large shopping mall with various shops and cinema complexes
- CUPNOODLES MUSEUM YOKOHAMA: An interactive museum where you can make cup noodles
*Nearest stations: Minatomirai Station, Bashamichi Station, Sakuragicho Station
4. Motomachi, Chinatown area: A town with a diverse atmosphere
Top left: Chinatown, Top right: Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal
Bottom: Yamashita Park
The Motomachi/Chinatown area has exotic towns and spots designed like modern art.
List of recommended sightseeing spots
- MOTOMACHI Shopping Street: A western-style fashionable shopping street
- Yokohama Chinatown: One of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. The town is lined with restaurants from all over Asia, including China.
- Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal: Uniquely designed rooftop plaza that looks like contemporary art
- Yamashita Park: A park where you can enjoy the view of Minato Mirai 21 and the harbor
- GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA: Being able to see the giant Gundam up close has become a hot topic in recent years (extended until March 31, 2024).
*Nearest stations: Nihon-odori Station, Motomachi-Chukagai Station, Ishikawacho Station
5. Yokohama is full of attractive sightseeing spots other than the central area!
There are popular sightseeing spots that are a little distanced from Yokohama Station and the Minato Mirai 21 area, but they all are places that worth a visit. For example, try visiting the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama, Sankeien Garden, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, and Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside in southern Yokohama!
Access to Yokohama from Tokyo
There are various means of transportation to move from Tokyo to Yokohama, and access is super convenient!
Let's head for major stations such as Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Minatomirai Station, Motomachi-Chukagai Station, etc. by train on the following 5 lines.
| Train Line | Stations via Tokyo | Destination Stations |
| Keihin-Tohoku Line/Negishi Line (direct operation) | Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, Shinagawa | Yokohama, Sakuragicho, Ishikawacho |
| Shonan-Shinjuku Line | Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya | Yokohama |
| Tokaido Line | Tokyo, Shinagawa | Yokohama |
| Toyoko Line/Minatomirai Line (direct operation) | Shibuya, Nakameguro, Jiyugaoka | Yokohama, Minatomirai, Nihon-odori, Motomachi-Chukagai |
| Keikyu Main Line | Shinagawa | Yokohama |
*Direct operation means that a train runs across multiple lines or lines of different railway companies.
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