Japan
Yokohama is the port city that opened Japan to the world, and it wears that history with ease: a skyline of towers and a giant Ferris wheel on the waterfront, the largest Chinatown in the country, a hillside of Western-style houses above the harbor and red brick warehouses where the first foreign cargo was stored.
This guide helps you plan Yokohama properly, from the Landmark Tower and Minato Mirai to Sankeien Garden, the Cup Noodles Museum, iekei ramen, Noge's tiny bars and a night at the ballpark. It covers twenty sights, seven hotels and six practical travel guides, with advice on getting here from Tokyo and Haneda, choosing between Minato Mirai, Kannai and Yokohama Station, and planning a port day for cruise passengers. Tokyo, Kamakura and Hakone each have their own pages for day trips.
Minato Mirai 21 and the Landmark Tower Skyline
Yokohama's futuristic waterfront district: a skyline of towers, a giant Ferris wheel, a sail-training ship and promenades along the bay. Wander it for free, then add the Landmark Tower observation deck and an evening light show of reflections on the water.
Yokohama Chinatown Street Food Walk
Japan's largest Chinatown: a dense grid of painted gates, temples, dumpling stalls and banquet halls a few minutes from the harbor. Come hungry, graze on street snacks and finish at a temple lit in red and gold.
Sankeien Garden
A large Japanese garden of ponds, tea houses and relocated historic buildings, including a pagoda moved from Kyoto. The calmest, most traditional place in Yokohama, best in cherry blossom and autumn colour seasons.
Noge Izakaya Bar-Hopping District
A maze of tiny bars, yakitori counters and standing pubs near Sakuragicho, packed with locals after work. Go with a guide, hop between three or four counters and see Yokohama's friendliest nightlife.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Yokohama's futuristic waterfront district: a skyline of towers, a giant Ferris wheel, a sail-training ship and promenades along the bay. Wander it for free, then add the Landmark Tower observation deck and an evening light show of reflections on the water.
Japan's largest Chinatown: a dense grid of painted gates, temples, dumpling stalls and banquet halls a few minutes from the harbor. Come hungry, graze on street snacks and finish at a temple lit in red and gold.
A large Japanese garden of ponds, tea houses and relocated historic buildings, including a pagoda moved from Kyoto. The calmest, most traditional place in Yokohama, best in cherry blossom and autumn colour seasons.
A playful museum devoted to instant noodles and the inventor who created them. Design your own cup, build a chicken ramen from scratch and walk a tunnel of noodle packages from around the world.
A beautifully preserved 1930 ocean liner moored at Yamashita Park, with art deco interiors, a bridge and engine room you can visit. A rare chance to walk through a working piece of Pacific travel history.
Two early twentieth century customs warehouses turned into shops, restaurants and an events plaza on the waterfront. A good place to understand how the port grew, and home to seasonal markets and festivals.
A low-cost audio walk through the streets where Japan ended more than two centuries of seclusion. Follow the story of Commodore Perry's arrival, the 1854 treaty and the foreign settlement that grew into Yokohama.
FreeA long, free waterfront park beside the harbor, built on earthquake rubble, with rose gardens, sculptures and a view of the Bay Bridge. Come at dusk, when the ships and towers light up across the water.
A hillside of Western-style houses, a foreign cemetery and harbor viewpoints above Motomachi's stylish shopping street. A refined, quiet side of Yokohama with architecture you rarely see in Japan.
Short boat rides around Yokohama's harbor, including a spring cherry blossom cruise. See the Bay Bridge, the skyline and the container terminals from the water, often in under an hour.
A food-hall museum where nine ramen shops from across Japan share a basement recreated as a 1958 Tokyo street. Slurp a mini bowl or three and follow with a brewery visit nearby.
Yokohama is the birthplace of iekei ramen, a rich pork bone and soy broth with thick noodles, rice and seaweed. A guided tour takes you to local bowls across the city and lets you customise the noodles, oil and richness.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Minato Mirai
High-floor rooms in the Landmark Tower at the heart of Minato Mirai, with harbor and city views, several restaurants and a short walk to the waterfront. The best-placed splurge for a first visit.
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$$$Yokohama Station
A large international-brand hotel steps from Yokohama Station, with full-service facilities, many dining options and an easy rail connection to Tokyo, Haneda and the Shinkansen.
Check rates →Central Yokohama
A mid-range hotel from a well-known Japanese chain, with comfortable rooms and the polished, tidy service the brand is known for. A sensible choice for sightseeing in central Yokohama.
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$$Central Yokohama
A design-minded hotel for travellers who want a stylish, modern base in Yokohama without the price of a tower hotel. Compact rooms, a clean look and an easy city location.
Check rates →Kannai
A practical, well-run hotel in the Kannai district, close to the stadium, Chinatown and the historic waterfront. Good value, simple rooms and an easy walk to the sights.
Check rates →Central Yokohama
A dependable business-style hotel with simple, clean rooms and an easy rail connection. A good-value choice for travellers who plan to spend their days out in Yokohama and Tokyo.
Check rates →Central Yokohama
A small, affordable hotel for travellers who want a clean bed and a good location without extras. Best for short stays focused on sightseeing, food and onward trips.
Check rates →Yamashita Park, Naka Ward
A historic harbor-front hotel facing Yamashita Park, a short walk from Chinatown, the Hikawa Maru and the Kannai district. A classic address for travellers who want old Yokohama atmosphere.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Minato Mirai 21 and the Landmark Tower SkylineStay
Yokohama Royal Park HotelMinato Mirai
Do
Yokohama Chinatown Street Food WalkStay
Hotel MyStays Yokohama KannaiKannai
Do
Sankeien GardenStay
Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel and TowersYokohama Station
How Yokohama fits together, how to reach it from Tokyo, what to see first and which experiences are worth reserving in advance.
A comparison of Yokohama's main hotel areas, with the pros and cons of each for sightseeing, transport and budget.
A three-day plan that groups Yokohama's sights by area, with the waterfront on day one, gardens and food on day two and the hills and nightlife on day three.
What to eat in Yokohama, from Chinatown snacks and iekei ramen to Western-style classics and Noge's bar counters.
How the seasons shape a Yokohama visit, from spring blossoms and rose gardens to hot summers, autumn colour and clear winter skies.
How to spend a cruise port day in Yokohama, with an easy waterfront circuit, shore-tour options, transfers and tips on timing.
What to do in Yokohama when the weather turns: cooking classes, tea, kimono, museums and covered waterfront options, with tips on planning around rain.
How to spend an evening in Yokohama: skyline views, Chinatown lanterns, Noge izakaya, a night walk and a car-culture meet, with practical tips on timing and getting home.
