Must See Attractions in Yokohama

Must See Attractions in Yokohama

If you're only planning to be in Yokohama for a short time, these are the key sights we recommend

Sankeien Garden

Sprawling over 17.5 hectares (42 acres), this traditional Japanese garden in Southern Yokohama is one of the city’s finest green spaces. Sankeien Garden was commissioned by silk merchant Tomitaro Sankei Hara, and is home to a number of historic buildings, including a feudal residence, teahouses, and a 3-storey pagoda on a hill within the garden. The central pond is one of the garden’s main visual draws, but you could spend several hours wandering around its winding trails and discovering the many small waterfalls, streams, ponds, footbridges, and bamboo groves in the garden. Sankeien is especially popular in spring for the cherry blossoms – don’t forget to try the cherry blossom-flavoured ice cream – and in fall for the gorgeous maples and ginkgo trees.

Opening hours: 9am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Nearest transport: Bus: 5-minute walk from Sankeien-iriguchi Bus Stop, Yokohama Municipal Bus 8 or 148 from Motomachi-Chukagai, Sakuragicho and Yokohama Stations.

Admission: Adults: JPY700. Elementary and junior high school students: JPY200

Minato Mirai 21

Minato Mirai 21 literally translates to “harbour of the future.” While this seaside urban area in central Yokohama isn’t quite Star Trek, the numerous high rise complexes – including the distinctive Landmark Tower – form the city’s striking and, yes, moderately futuristic skyline. The area is home to a number of attractions, including the Sky Garden Observatory (impressive views if you haven’t been to the Tokyo Skytree), Cosmo World (fun for the kids, though adults might also enjoy the roller coasters), and the Red Brick Warehouse that doubles up as a mall full of boutique shops. The latter is especially good for hunting down unique souvenirs and locally made crafts. The night view of Minato Mirai is particularly pretty when it’s illuminated, and strolling around at night is rather romantic.

Nearest transport: Train: Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai line.

Yokohama Chinatown

You can’t visit Yokohama without making a pitstop at Japan’s largest Chinatown. It’s been around since 1859, after the area became one of the first Japanese ports opened to foreign trade. This Chinatown is characteristically colourful, and lined with all kinds of Chinese shops and restaurants. Most visitors come here for the food – there are a number of great Chinese restaurants and food stalls serving everything from steamed buns to egg tarts to dim sum – but the Lunar New Year festivities in late winter are also a real draw. Think lion dances, firecrackers, and traditional music concerts.

Nearest transport: Train: 2-minute walk from exit 2 of Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai line.

Cupnoodles Museum Yokohama

In 1958, Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen noodles, thereby changing the lives of broke college students and gig economy workers forever. In all seriousness, the world owes a great deal to Mr. Ando, and it’s only fitting that there’s a museum dedicated to his creation. Located in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, visitors to the whimsical Cup Noodles Museum can learn about the history of these noodles and how they came to be. Finish up with a workshop where you create and package your own original cup noodles. How fun is that? You can also sample a number of noodle dishes from around the world at JPY300 a pop.

Opening hours: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm)
Closed Tuesday or the following Wednesday when Tuesday is a national holiday
Nearest transport: Train: 8-minute walk from exit 5 of Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai line.

Admission: Adults: JPY500

Yamashita Park

Yokohama is home to several beautiful public parks. Located right near Chinatown and stretching for around 750 metres along the city’s waterfront, Yamashita Park is one of Yokohama’s most popular open green spaces. Locals and visitors love the park for picnics, pretty views of the water, and gorgeous flowers in spring. There’s a giant ocean liner in the water beside the promenade, which was converted into a museum after it was retired from sea journeys in 1960. Yamashita Park is also a great place to walk, jog, or run.

Opening hours: 24h
Nearest transport: Train: 4-minute walk from exit 1 of Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai line.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

Not to be confused with the Cup Noodles Museum above, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is dedicated to ramen. Yes, you can learn all about the history of ramen noodles in Japan – it was introduced from China – and the varieties of ramen all over the country, but the real draw is being able to eat here. The basement floors are dedicated to nine ramen restaurants housed in a recreation of 1950s downtown Tokyo, each serving a different style of ramen. These ramen restaurants are outposts of famous shops, and they change from time to time. Best of all, you don’t need to eat a whole bowl. They all serve a “mini ramen” portion so you can sample multiple bowls of ramen before your stomach gives up!

Opening hours: 11am-9:30pm (Monday-Saturday). 10:30am-9:30pm (Sunday and national holidays)
Nearest transport: Subway and train: 1-minute walk from exit 8 of Shin-Yokohama Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue line, JR Tokaido Shinkansen and Yokohama line.

Admission: Adults: JPY380. Elementary, junior high and high school students: JPY100. 60 years and older: JPY100

Kirin Brewery Yokohama

Beer drinkers will be familiar with Kirin – it’s only one of Japan’s leading beer breweries! If this is your go-to for Japanese beer, you might enjoy visiting their brewery in Yokohama. They hold free brewery tours, and the facilities are just as interesting as the free beer tasting at the end of the hour. If you’re lucky you might even have the English-speaking guide on your tour!

Opening hours (tour start): 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm. Closed Monday or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Nearest transport: Train: 10-minute walk from the east exit of Namamugi Station on the Keikyu Main line.

Yokohama Doll Museum

If your idea of dolls begins and ends with Ken and Barbie, the Yokohama Doll Museum will radically expand your world. This unusual museum located between Yamashita Park and Chinatown counts over 1,300 dolls across its displays. About half are dolls from various periods in Japanese history, and the remaining half are dolls from over 140 countries. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a fascinating place to learn about dolls in different cultures, and see the craft of doll-making up close. Who knew the world of dolls was so vast and intricate?

Opening hours:9:30am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm). Closed Monday or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Nearest transport: Train: 3-minute walk from exit 4 of Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai line.

Admission: Adults: JPY400. Elementary and junior high school students: JPY200. 65 years and older: JPY350

Negishi Forest Park

If you’re feeling hemmed in by tall buildings, head over to Negishi Forest Park. At over 1,800 square metres wide, this is one of Yokohama’s largest parks. This green oasis in the city was once a race track. Now, it’s a sprawling vista of open fields and forests, with numerous paths winding around ponds, forests, and a plum grove. It’s well-loved by local joggers and runners, and is generally a great place for a picnic. There are also 350+ cherry blossom trees planted here, which means a riot of pink and white in spring. If you’re here for the sakura, don’t forget to bring your own food for the picnic.

Opening hours: 24h
Nearest transport: Train: 15-minute walk from Yamate Station on the JR Negishi line.

Kamonyama Park

Originally known as Railway Hill, Kamonyama Park is one of Yokohama’s most famous cherry blossom-viewing spot. Spring sees the park thronged with visitors setting up their blue tarpaulin sheets for day-long blossom-viewing picnics. The cherries are beautiful, and the view is made even better by the Landmark Tower and other Minato Mirai high-rise complexes rising high above the cherry trees. Yes, it’s pretty central – just 10 minutes from JR Sakuragicho Station. Kamonyama Park is one of the livelier spots in town for sakura, especially on weekends. If you prefer a quieter park, Negishi Forest Park may be a better option.

Opening hours: 24h
Nearest transport: Subway and train: 10-minute walk from exit south 1 of Sakuragicho Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue line and JR Negishi line.