| Yokohama : Visit Guide |  |
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Get in
By plane
Yokohama does not have its own airport. You can reach Yokohama from Tokyo's two main airports.
Some Narita Express trains from Narita Airport go through to Yokohama (1 1/2 hours, ¥4380). Limousine Buses run frequently from Narita to the Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) (1 1/2 ~3 hours, ¥3500). The cheapest access from Narita Airport is to take a Keisei train to Nippori, then change to a JR Keihin-Tohoku Line train for Yokohama (about 2 hr. and ¥1540).
The Keihin Kyuko line (Keikyu line) is the best route from Haneda Airport to Yokohama (25 minutes direct, 30 minutes with connection, ¥470).
By train
The overwhelming majority of visitors to Yokohama arrive from Tokyo by train. A multitude of train lines connect the two cities at roughly equal prices, but some of the more convenient options are :
- Tokyu Toyoko Line (東急東横線) from Shibuya to Yokohama Station. Some trains on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line run through to the Toyoko Line, which in turn runs through to the recently-opened Minato Mirai 21 subway line. A trip from Shibuya to Yokohama takes as little as 24 minutes on the fastest service (¥260). Chinatown, the terminus of the MM21 line, is another 10 minutes away (Motomachi-Chukagai, ¥460). Up to eight kyūkō (急行) and tokkyū (特急) trains per hour. In the year 2012, the Toyoko Line will link to the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line subway, allowing trains to continue north to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and into Saitama.
- JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン) from Ōmiya, Akabane, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Ōsaki. Established in 2003, this line allows for easy access to Yokohama from west Tokyo. Roughly four trains per hour, reaching Yokohama from Shinjuku in as little as 30 minutes at a cost of ¥540. This line will have no major competition until the Toyoko/Fukutoshin services join together in 2012.
- JR Tokaido Main Line (東海道線) from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations (both on the Yamanote Line). Departs every 10 minutes - More trains during rush hour. About 25 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama. Note that Commuter Rapid Service (通勤快速) and Shonan Liner (湘南ライナー) trains do not stop at Yokohama Station.
- JR Yokosuka Line (横須賀線) : A less-convenient alternative from Tokyo Station and Shinagawa. However, it is the route of choice if coming from stations east of Tokyo on the Sobu Rapid line, such as Tsudanuma and Chiba, as most of these trains continue onto the Yokosuka line. About 30 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama; about 75 minutes from Chiba (¥1050). Departs every 15 minutes or so from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
- JR Keihin Tohoku Line (京浜東北線) from Nippori, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, and Shinagawa Stations. This train stops at more stations in Yokohama than the Yokosuka Line, including Sakuragicho (桜木町), which is within walking distance of Chinatown. It is also a convenient route from stations north of Tokyo in Saitama prefecture. About 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station. Departs every 5 minutes from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
On the Tokaido, Yokosuka and Keihin Tohoku lines, the trip from Tokyo Station costs ¥450, and from Shinagawa, ¥280.
- Keihin Kyuko Main Line (京浜急行線), or Keikyu for short, from Shinagawa and Haneda Airport. Most trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue onto the Keikyu line. Departs every 10 minutes from Shinagawa at a cost of ¥290 (more trains during rush hour), with the fastest train reaching Yokohama in only 18 minutes. Note that Keikyu WING (京急ウィング) trains, which run on weekday evenings, do not stop at Yokohama.
- Sotetsu Line (相鉄線） from Ebina to Yokohama (30 minutes by express, ¥300). A useful connection from the western Tokyo suburbs on the Odakyu Line.
Shinkansen trains go to Shin-Yokohama station instead, a few stations away from the main Yokohama station. The two stations are connected via the JR Yokohama line (15 minutes via direct service, ¥160) and the Yokohama Subway Blue Line (10 minutes, ¥230). Alternatively, take the shinkansen to Shinagawa and change to the Tokaido, Yokosuka or Keihin Tohoku lines. If your final destination is Chinatown or a the harbor area, taking one of the non-Shinkansen trains listed above is likely to be faster.
Minato-Mirai Line
The Minato Mirai Line (みなとみらい線), opened in 2004, is a direct extension of the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Connection with the lines is at Yokohama Station, and the line itself has five stations : Shin-Takashimacho (新高島町), Minatomirai (みなとみらい), Bashamichi (馬車道), Nihon Ōdori (日本大通り), and Motomachi-Chūkagai (元町・中華街), terminating at the posh Motomachi shopping street and the second largest Chinatown in the world. The line's stations itself are worth seeing, especially Minato-Mirai Station itself, where you are able to see straight up to the very spacious entrance hall (7 floors in all) of the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Japan.
Bashamichi station is with artifact bricks and hosts the remains of the first western style bank of Yokohama. Note also that Bashamichi ("horse carriage street") was the first street in Japan to have gas fired street lightings, which were re-installed lately. Bashamichi Station is surrounded by historical buildings, built only a century ago, but for Japanese standards are a true catapulting into westernization. Thus all buildings remaining (partially rebuilt after the heavy bombings of WWII) are protected as “historical-cultural national treasure.”
Nihon-Ōdori Station is similar to Bashamichi Station. Nihon-Ōdori (meaning Japan Avenue) is a two lane-two way avenue, which back then separated the living quarters of the foreign delegation and Japanese. The line runs parallel to the Keihin-Tohoku Line, but due to its massive expenses in keeping the designer-class stations running, the fares are rather pricey but definitely worthwhile. The line runs through the very historical parts of Yokohama, when Japan opened up towards the Western civilization. Many history-related museums of Yokohama are dotted along the line, and to attract further tourists, the line offers a one-day unlimited ride ticket (¥450 for adults, 1/2 price for children).
Get around
Yokohama is not a very automobile-friendly place, especially for foreigners. Public transit and walking work best. The Naka Ward office provides a map of Yokohama in English.
By train
The Minato Mirai 2 subway line from Yokohama station down the harborfront to Chinatown is the best method of accessing the main tourist haunts. The main subway line is useful primarily for transfers between central Yokohama and the Shinkansen station. JR Negishi Line (根岸線) is also available for Chinatown and Minato Mirai Area. All Negishi Line Trains with the blue line are direct service via the Keihin-Tohoku Line. For suburban areas, Yokohama has a subway and extensive commuter rail lines that crisscross the city from every direction and to all neighboring cities.
Yokohama city subway(横浜市営地下鉄) This train has two types : the“blue line”and the“green line”.The former is from Azamino to Shonandai. The latter is from Hiyoshi to Nakayama. Using this train, you can get around Yokohama easily.
By bus
Akkaikutsu bus is a sight seeing bus around Minatomirai, Chinatown and Motomachi. It runs every 20-30 minutes and looks like an old red bus. A ticket costs ¥100, and a 1 day pass costs ¥300
By boat
A "sea bus" operates between JR Yokohama station (east exit), Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park, and is one of the nicest ways to get around on a sunny day. The fare is ¥340-700 depending on the distance.
By human power
Velo taxis are widely available within the harbor area, while rickshaws make their rounds within Chinatown.
On foot
Central Yokohama is comparatively compact and the Chinatown/Yamashita Park area is best explored on foot.
See
- Chinatown (中華街 Chūkagai), MM21 Motomachi-Chukagai station. Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. These days it's unabashedly touristy, but there are plenty of Chinese grocery stores and places to buy a cheap cheongsam dress or jade knick-knacks.
- Bay Stars Stadium. Located in Naka ward. A short walk from Chinatown or Kannai station, this is probably one of the most fun places to watch a baseball game in Japan. Known as the Bay Stars Stadium, the Yokohama Baseball Team of the Central League, the Stadium itself was built on the remains of the Cricket Ballpark of the last century for the British delegation. The Bay Stars Stadium is an open roof stadium with natural grass, very rare in Japan, which prefers to man-made grass to save on costs, and the entertainment boasted throughout the games is trying hard, and doing a good job, by Japanese terms, in trying to have each game hosted at the "home ground" to be as American as possible.
- Nissan Stadium located in Shin-Yokohama(新横浜). This is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in Japan. The final match of the 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP was held here. This is a home ground of J league soccer teams, Yokohama F. Marinos and Yokohama FC.
- Marine Tower. The largest onland lighthouse in the world. It is located in Naka ward. Currently closed to the public until 2009 pending change of ownership and renovation.
- Hikawa Maru. This passenger liner made 238 voyages across the Pacific to Seattle and Vancouver between 1930 and 1960, and served as a hospital ship during World War II. Currently closed to the public until 2009 pending change of ownership.
- Sky Walk. An observation platform attached to the Bay Bridge. To get there, take a bus in front of JR Sakuragicho station. If you cannot find the correct bus, ask for help from the Tourist information center located right in front of the station. However, the bus trip takes quite a while and there is nothing more to see than the view of Minato Mirai from afar.
- Landmark Tower, MM21 Minato Mirai station. The tallest building in Japan is located in the new Minato Mirai 21 district. The observation platform on the top 69th floor provides good views (admission ¥1,000). The elevators are said to be the fastest in Japan. For a classier experience, try the cocktail lounge on the 70th floor (¥1,000 cover, drinks ¥1,000+ each) or eat dinner on the 68th.
- Sankei-en Park (三渓園). 35 minutes by bus from Yokohama station. Located southeast of Naka ward, this is a traditional style of park and known as Teien (lit. "set park") in Japanese. Opened in 1906, this large park (175,000 sq.ft.) has many Japanese traditional buildings, 13 of which have been designated as national heritages.
- Yamate (山手). This is the neighbourhood where foreigners settled and still settle. You can make a pleasant walk from the Italian garden near Ishikawa-cho station to the French park near Motomachi Chukagai station. The walk will take you along some nice houses that were previously owned by rich foreigners. Nowadays, these houses can be visited freely. A nice cakeshop can be found here as well. The foreigner cemetery is also along this route and houses a small museum with some pictures of the Motomachi shopping street in the old days and some more cartoons how the Japanese saw foreigners.
- Yamashita Park(山下公園) You can see the whole port of Yokohama and there's a lot of greenery. A short walk from Motomachi-chinatown station(元町・中華街駅), JR Ishikawa-cho station(JR石川駅), JR Kannnai station(JR関内駅).
- Street Performance. There are many street performers in Yokohama, especially in Yamashita park and Granmall Park (Located in the middle of Landmark tower and Queens Square in Sakuragicho)every weekend. Above all, fire performance is so dynamic.
Do
- Yokohama Cosmo World, just across the water from Minato Mirai 21, is a small amusement park which boasts the Cosmo Clock 21, a 112.5m Ferris wheel which doubles as "the world's largest clock" (the 60 arms double as second hands). The park also has two roller coasters, a log flume ride and several other attractions. Admission is free but the rides cost ¥500/700 each.
- Manyou Club, is located near the Yokohama Cosmo World in Minato Mirai 21. It is a spa resort. There are many kinds of bath to make a rounds of. At night, you can see the lights of Yokohama from footbath on the roof. You can enjoy and relax all day, because there are beauty salons, massages, and restaurants in this urban resort. Admission ¥2620 (10:00am/6:00am)
- Hakkeijima Seaparadise Get off at Seaside line "Hakkeijima" station. There are an amusument park and an Aquarium. You can see a white dolphin. You can touch to some animals like penguins.
- Anpanman museum located in Minato Mirai 21 area. You can go there from Minatomirai line "Shintakashima" station or Yokohama subway line "Takashimacho" station.(Anpanman is an animation character. It starts on TV 20 years ago. Every Japanese know him.He is an "anpan"(Sweet bread) but he is like a superman and helps other characters everytime. If his face get damege, he must change to new face.) Children can play with many tools and of course Anpanman. Youcan buy real anpan and many goods in shop.
- Zoo Nogeyama Located in Noge area, and 15 minutes from JR Sakuragi-cho station or Yokohama subway line on foot or you can use city bus from Sakuragi-cho station. There are 100 kinds of animal in it include reptile, birds, and mammal, and there is a petting zoo for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice. Business hour is from 9:00 to 16:30.Admission free.
- Round 1 (ラウンドワン) This is amusement park.You can play bouwing, Karaoke, billiards and darts in here.This amusement park open 10am/5am (weekday), 9am/5am (saturday), 8am/5am (sunday). 15 minutes on foot from Yokohama station (West gate).
Buy
- Minato Mirai 21 (みなとみらい２１) A futuristic city district built entirely on reclaimed land. Accessible primarily through Minato Mirai Station (みなとみらい駅), but also frequently accessed via Sakuragicho Station (桜木町駅). Lots of shopping options spread out within it, including :
* Landmark Plaza / Queen's Square Giant complex starting from within the Landmark Tower, through to the Pan Pacific Hotel. If you like high-end shopping, then this is the place to check out. Also home to one of the five Pokémon Centers in Japan, wildly popular with kids.
* Pacifico Yokohama (パシフィコ横浜) Cafes, restaurants, shops and hotel.
* Yokohama Jackmall / Gento (横浜ジャックモール・ゲント) Right outside Shin-Takashima Station (新高島駅) Two connected open-air malls, small but growing. Family oriented big-box retailers, game centers, movie theater.
* Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse "Aka Renga Souko" (横浜赤レンガ倉庫) at the fringe of the MM21 area near Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) Historic port building dating to 1907, recently restored and now home to many boutiques, fashionista or otherwise.
* Yokohama World Porters (横浜ワールドポーターズ) near Cosmo World and Bashamichi Station (馬車道駅) Many shops and restaurants, slightly less expensive shopping mall experience perhaps catering to the tweens, teens and twenty-somethings you see walking around.
- Yokohama Station Area (横浜駅前)
* Diamond Underground Shopping Arcade (ダイアモンド地下街) This arcade is west gate of Yokohama station.There are some restaurantns, supermarkets, boutiques, bookstores and so on in here.These shops is not so expensive.But depending on shops.This arcade is little complicated, so take care "Don't lose the your way".
* Kiyouken (崎陽軒) is a most famous shop of shuumai (焼売) "Chinese steam meat dumpling". This is good souvenir and not so expensive at 6 for ¥250, 15 for ¥550, 30 for ¥1,100. You can get central gate (中央口) of Yokohama station (between Keihinkyukou line and keihintohoku line).
* Yodobashi Yokohama (ヨドバシ横浜) West Exit Forget Akihabara, this gigantic "denki-ya-san" branch is more than suffice for all your electronics needs. Also has a selection of duty free items. Be sure to sign up for a point card; you'll receive a percentage in points depending on the purchase (usually 13%), which can then be applied same as cash on future purchases at any Yodobashi nationwide.
* Yokohama Bay Quarter (横浜ベイクォーター) 7 minutes walk from East Exit, across the river from Sogo, steps away from Sea Bus stop Up-market stores set in a pet-friendly, open-air and often breezy atmosphere with great views of the waterfront! Food options are on the gourmet side.
* Yokohama Vivre (横浜ビブレ) West Exit Japanese fashion at its best (or worst, depending on your take) for 20- and 30-somethings. Think Shibuya 109 and Parco.
- Motomachi (元町) is a small fashionable shopping district located near Chinatown. Get off at Minato Mirai line "Motomachi-Chinatown" station or JR line "Ishikawacho" station.
- Mitsui Outlet Park (三井アウトレットパーク) is an outlet shopping mall located in Kanazawahakkei bay area.You get off at Sea side line "Torihama" station.It looks like small bay side town. There are about 220 shops. For example, Adidas, Nike, COACH, EDWIN and many other popular brands.
- Lalaport Yokohama (ららぽーと横浜) is a big shopping mall located in Kamoi. You get off at Yokohama line "Kamoi". There are about 370 shops, Cinema and Restaurants.
- Isezaki Mall Shopping Street (イセザキモール) Accessible via Kannai Station (関内駅) Great for the adventurous few who don't want to break the bank shopping at Minato Mirai. Anchored by Matsuzakaya department store, with countless mom and pop stores dotting the area. Lively by day, but be wary at night as the area tends to get a bit seedy.
Eat
Cheap
- Yokohama Kurikoan (横浜くりこ庵) You can eat Taiyaki here. It is a Japanese traditional sweet. It's like a pancake shapes fish. Inside it, Mainly An. In this shop, There is an with Marone.
- Ivi italian restaurant There're so nice places because we can see nightview of Yokohama, a lot of delicious food (for example, salad, sweets, soup, and so on), and we can hold big parties! I think it's a little expensive but I recommend there. It's near Shintakashima station (Minato mirai Line).
- Italian Bar Basil (バジル) Castle Sakuragi 1F, Noge-cho 2-81, Naka-ku (5 minutes walk from Sakuragicho Station's Noge exits; across from the Cheruru ちぇるる Shopping Center) Though a stand-bar by nature, a great place to take in a nicely paced meal if you can get a seat! Lots of choices at reasonable prices (think izakaya-style portions) but focuses on a few ingridents, making for a refreshing take on the all-too-common (and usually terrible) Italian fare in Japan. Recommendations : any of their antipasto and risotto, complemented with their sangria or wine of the day.
- Kua'Aina Two locations : 4F Bay Quarter Shopping Center (Yokohama Station East Exit) and Akarenga Shopping Center (5 minutes walk from Bashamichi Station) Taste, taste, taste... from Hawaii! If you're craving something a step above McDonald's or Wendy's, this is the place. Big menu with both standard and gourmet burgers, as well as some American-style sandwiches. Set menus starting at ¥980.
- Tori Dori (鳥どり) Kanzaki Building 1F, Noge-cho 2-59, Naka-ku (down the street from the Cheruru ちぇるる Shopping Center) Cheap and good yakitori and other izakaya fare, as well as reasonably priced drink specials on weeknights (around ¥200) AND all-you-can-drink (¥600) available for 4 or more people (a rarity for yakitori restaurants). No English menu, however knowledge of yakitori lingo should suffice.
- Shabu-Shabu Buffet Syabu-Yo (しゃぶしゃぶブッフェ しゃぶ葉) 1F World Porters Shopping Center (Minato Mirai area) While most all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurants will typically serve pork, this one serves pork AND beef for a mere ¥2,079! Vegetables, desserts, and a full range of drinks are set out buffet-style while staff keeps the meat coming. Has a very Japanese atmosphere (music, decor) without being over-the-top, perfect for value-seeking tourists!
- Tinun (ティーヌン) 6F Cial (Yokohama Station West Exit) Classier version of the local Thai restaurant chain, but with the same reasonable prices. Stir-fried noodles are a must.
Mid-range
- For Chinese food the obvious choice is Chinatown (中華街 Chūkagai), which has over 200 Chinese restaurants. Snacks are sold on the streets, but most restaurants in the area are quite expensive (expect to pay ¥1, 500 for a decent lunch) and the food has been toned down to suit the Japanese palate. One of the most popular foods in Chinatown is Nikuman (肉まん nikuman), or bread filled with pork and vegetables, which are sold by dozens of stores and vendors. Chinatown is the terminus of the Minato Mirai 21 line.
- Shinyokohama Raamen Museum (新横浜ラーメン博物館 Shin-Yokohama rāmen hakubutsukan). Shin-Yokohama 2-14-21. Paradise for noodle lovers, but not just because of the (Japanese-only) exhibits of the history of instant ramen noodles : the centerpiece here is the basement, which contains a recreation of 1950s-era Tokyo done in incredible detail, complete with operating branches of 10 famous ramen joints. Expect to queue and pay at least ¥1000 for a bowl, but if you really love your noodles, it's worth it. 5 minutes walk from Shin-Yokohama station (on the #1 subway line). Open from 11 AM to 11 PM daily, admission ¥300.
- Chano-ma, in Aka-renga park in Minato-Mirai. There is a large floor about 60cm up where you can lay down with blankets and some pillows like a living room.
- Tachibana, it is located near Higashihakuraku station in Kanagawa word in Yokohama city. Wanko-soba restaurant, which is Japanese noodles served in small bowls to have eating competition at restaurant.
- Manchin-Ro, it is located near Yoshimoto Baby Aquarium. It is best to take the Keihin Tohoku Line and get off at the Ishikawa station, and it only take 5 minutes to get there. It is not only supplying delicious food, but also it is really very cheap which only need 1, 500 en for you to get full. During lunch time it is running as a kind of self-servie restaurant, but you do not need to get food by yourself and just order the food wanted from menu then they will serve them just finished to guests.
- Los Amigos (ロスアミーゴス) Fuminoke Building B1F, Tokiwa-cho 4-52, Naka-ku Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 662 58 66 - 1 minute walk from Kannai Station Subway Exit 4 - near 82 Ale House. No sweet-tasting Japanese tacos or Gringo fare to be found here... this is the real deal folks! The owner Maria is a Mexican native who serves it up the way it should be. Her homemade Mexican pickles and chimichangas are to die for! Other highlights are the mole and quesadillas. All-you-can-eat-and-drink course is a steal at ¥4,500, which includes a selection of Mexican beers! Reservations recommended. Se habla español!
Splurge
- The Landmark Tower has Japanese, Chinese and French restaurants on the 68th floor, where you can enjoy excellent food and unparalleled views of Yokohama and Tokyo. But the luxury doesn't come cheap : dinner at any of these restaurants is around ¥10,000 per person.
- Seryna (瀬里奈) Between Kannai and Bashamichi Stations, in front of Golds Gym Steaks served Japanese teppanyaki-style, but set inside of a turn-of-the-century Western atmosphere. Sweeping views of Bashamichi's historic buildings and MM21. Lunch starting at ¥2,000, with dinner jumping to around ¥12,000 per person. 35th Anniversary coupons available on website.
Drink
- Palm Bar And Cafe Hodogaya Eki East Gate - Tel ☎ + (81) 45 712 02 27. Aka the Digital Bar by the locals - A small trendy bar with a full array of top shelf liquors, bottled beers from ¥500 and daily drink specials from ¥420 makes it an inexpensive watering hole. English music selections with a large screen TV plus free internet makes it a great place to relax after work. Located 4mins from Yokohama Stn on the Yokosuka Line. Also bar snacks and pretty decent pasta from ¥900. Open Mon/Sat. 19:00/2:00. ☎ + (81) 45 712 02 27.
- Windjammer Toraku Building 1F, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku - Tel ☎ + (81) 45 662 39 66. A classy jazz bar on the edges of Chinatown run by a dapper American expat who loves to put on a show for his customers. Bands play downstairs most nights and there's a large screen for those on the second floor showing the action below. The decor is decadent and there's a chocolate fountain with fruit for dipping. Open 5.30pm/1am Sun/Thu, 6pm/2am Fri/Sat. Music cover ¥500, drinks from ¥800.
- Downbeat Miyamoto Bldg. 2F 1-43 Hanabusacho, Naku-ku 231-0052 Sakuragicho. Another jazz bar, but this one features an extensive record collection, a "record menu" and a foreigner friendly staff. Request a song out of the menu and the owner will put it in the queue.
- Ishikawacho, 4-168 Sekiuti Real Estate Building 2, B1F. One of Yokohama's hottest, and oldest, hip hop clubs. DJ's spinning R&B, Reggae, and Hip Hop. Special events throughout the month.
- Summer brings the beer gardens : both Luminè Department Store (near Yokohama Station) and the Star Hotel sport the rooftop variety, or there's a real garden next to Yamate Jubankan.
- Hogs head. Irish/American pub. Address : Naka-ku Tokiwa-cho 6-77, No 2 Hiyoshi Bldg 1F (中区常盤町6-77第2日吉ビル１F). If you like the Windjammer, you will like this place too. Very Japanese, they tried it to perfection. The pub is trying hard to look as Irish/American as can be and is doing a very good job. The bartenders know over 200 cocktails and the “financial damage” per drink hovers around ¥1,000. Basic food, pasta, pizza and snacks are also available. Unique about the bar is its size, which can be classed as rather large in the area of Bashamichi, Kannai, where small, tiny sized bars are common. There is no live band, but the music jamming out of the speaker systems throughout the bar is Jazz and the bar itself is very quiet and emphasis is placed on enjoying your drink. Hogshead proud sales pitch is the long bar counter with the respectful collection of whiskeys, brandies and other alcoholic delicacies proudly shelved behind it. The bar itself accepts reservations for larger groupings under - Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 641 47 46.
- Benny's Place, Ishikawacho 1-25 Mitsubo Bldg. 2F - ☎ + (81) 45 671 08 18 (just off the big intersection in Motomachi). American-style sports bar complete with baseball memorabilia, cable TV, darts, and a friendly owner who'll gladly tell you about his days in the U.S. Navy at "Yah-kohska". And the biggest hamburgers served this side of the Pacific.
- Oriental Café, 2-16-4 Minamisaiwai, Nishi-ku, is a small sized diner which plays continuously house music and the interior décor is in line with the music it plays. For an easy night out and on budget (in this country being less than US$100.00) this place is rather attractive with its unique décor, its simple menu and plain but basic selection of beers, cocktails and wines. Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 311 46 40. Access, Yokohama Station plus 10/15 minutes walk along the Shintama River, diagonally across the “Hamabowl” Bowling hall.
Sleep
Budget
- Kanagawa Youth Hostel. 1 Momijigaoka, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 241 65 03 - 10 minutes walk from Sakuragi-cho JR Station. Single room for 2980¥ + 600¥ for non-members.
- Yokohama Hostel Village. SanWa Building 1F, 3-11-2 Matsukage-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 663 36 96 - 5 minutes walk from Ishikawa-cho JR Station. Inexpensive accommodations. Single room for 3000¥. Recently added small LB apartments for 4300¥, no deposit is needed and you get your own kitchen and bathroom.
Mid-range
- Washington Hotel. 5-33 Choja-machi, Naka-ku, Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 243 71 11. A serviceable but quite pricey middle of the road hotel with airconditioning and high speed internet in every room. Close to JR station and easy walking distance to Chinatown. Single from ¥9,200, Double ¥16,300.
- Shinyokohama Prince Hotel is the cylindrical skyscraper right outside Shinyokohama station, where the Shinkansen (新幹線) super-express calls (aka bullet train). A rather quiet corner of Yokohama, it is well connected with bustling Yokohama by the Yokohama Line (横浜線), or the municipal subway (市営地下鉄) and various municipal city buses (市営バス). Only ten minutes away it is an ideal place to stay with mediocre quality whilst saving money. The Prince Hotel is one of the largest chains of hotels in Japan, run by the behemoth company Seibu. Foreigners registering with the homepage member area enjoy additional reductions, but only if you register and apply prior to arriving in the country. Prices range between ¥11,000 and ¥19,000, depending on room class and number of people.
- Hotel Monterey Yokohama is located in Yamashita Park and it has view of Minatomirai and Bay bridge. 6-1 yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-city. It takes about 3 minutes from Motomachi-Cyukagai station to get the Hotel. 3 minutes walk to Yokohama China Town and Yokohama doll's house (Ningyou-no-ie). Standard doubles from ¥5,300.
- Toyoko Inn Yokohama Sakuragi-cho Honcho 6-55, Naka-ku. Tel : ☎ + (81) 45 671 10 45 - 5 minutes walk from Sakuragicho Station. Their slogan is "Offering peace of mind at a reasonable price" which is more often than not true. Perhaps a slightly less fancy Japanese version of Holiday Inn. Numerous locations throughout Yokohama aside from this one. Singles from ¥6,800 per room / Doubles or Twins from ¥8,800 per room (max 2 guests)
Splurge
The three main hotels in the Minato Mirai area are the ultimate in local luxury, and occasionally offer their rooms on sale at bargain prices.
- Yokohama Royal Park Hotel. Takes up the mid-section of the Landmark Tower. Standard rates start at ¥31,500 (single) or ¥36,750 (double).
- Pan Pacific. Located in Minato Mirai, operated by Nikko Hotels. Standard rates start at ¥40,000.
- InterContinental Grand Yokohama. One of the most recognizable features in the Yokohama skyline (it's the sail-shaped building near the Landmark Tower). The standard "Executive Double" is ¥35,000 (single) or ¥43,000 (double). |
| Yokohama : History | |
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Yokohama was a small fishing village up to the end of the feudal Edo period, when Japan held a policy of national seclusion, having little contact with foreigners. A major turning point in Japanese history happened in 1853/1854, when Commodore Matthew Perry arrived just south of Yokohama with a fleet of American warships, demanding that Japan open several ports for commerce, and the Tokugawa shogunate agreed by signing the Treaty of Peace and Amity.
It was initially agreed that one of the ports to be opened to foreign ships would be the bustling town of Kanagawa-juku (in what is now Kanagawa Ward) on the Tōkaidō, a strategic highway that linked Edo to Kyoto and Osaka. However, the Tokugawa shogunate decided that Kanagawa-juku was too close to the Tōkaidō for comfort, and port facilities were instead built across the inlet in the sleepy fishing village of Yokohama. The Port of Yokohama was opened on 2 June 1859.
Yokohama quickly became the base of foreign trade in Japan. Japan's first English language newspaper, the Japan Herald, was first published there in 1861. Foreigners occupied a district of the city called "Kannai" (関内 - "inside the barrier"), which was surrounded by a moat, and were protected by their extraterritorial status both within and outside the moat. Many individuals crossed the moat, causing a number of problems. The Namamugi Incident, one of the events that preceded the downfall of the shogunate, took place in what is now Tsurumi Ward in 1862; Ernest Satow described it in A Diplomat in Japan.
After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the port was developed for trading silk, the main trading partner being Great Britain. Many Western influences first reached Japan in Yokohama, including Japan's first daily newspaper (1870) and first gas-powered street lamps (1872). Japan's first railway was constructed in the same year to connect Yokohama to Shinagawa and Shinbashi in Tokyo. In the same year, Jules Verne set Yokohama, which he had never visited, in an episode of his widely-read Around the World in Eighty Days, capturing the atmosphere of a fast-developing, Western-oriented Japanese city.
In 1887, a British merchant, Samuel Cocking, built the city's first power plant. At first for his own use, this coal-burning plant became the basis for the Yokohama Cooperative Electric Light Company. The city was officially incorporated on 1 April 1889.[5] By the time the extraterritoriality of foreigner areas was abolished in 1899, Yokohama was the most international city in Japan, with foreigner areas stretching from Kannai to the Bluff area and the large Yokohama Chinatown.
The early 20th century was marked by rapid growth of industry. Entrepreneurs built factories along reclaimed land to the north of the city toward Kawasaki, which eventually grew to be the Keihin Industrial Area. The growth of Japanese industry brought affluence, and many wealthy trading families constructed sprawling residences there, while the rapid influx of population from Japan and Korea also led to the formation of Kojiki-Yato, then the largest slum in Japan.
Much of Yokohama was destroyed on 1 September 1923 by the Great Kantō earthquake. The Yohohama police reported casualties at 30,771 dead and 47,908 injured, out of a pre-earthquake population of 434,170. Fuelled by rumours of rebellion and sabotage, vigilante mobs thereupon murdered many Koreans in the Kojiki-yato slum. Many people believed that Koreans used black magic to cause the earthquake. Martial law was in place until 19 November. Rubble from the quake was used to reclaim land for parks, the most famous being the Yamashita Park on the waterfront which opened in 1930.
Yokohama was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again by thirty-odd U.S. air raids during World War II. An estimated seven or eight thousand people were killed in a single morning on 29 May 1945 in what is now known as the Great Yokohama Air Raid, when B-29s firebombed the city and in just one hour and nine minutes reduced 42% of it to rubble. During the Korean War, the United States Navy used Yokohama's port as a transshipment base. This ship departed Yokohama in 1951, carrying war dead home to the U.S.
During the American occupation, Yokohama was a major transshipment base for American supplies and personnel, especially during the Korean War. After the occupation, most local U.S. naval activity moved from Yokohama to an American base in nearby Yokosuka.
The city was designated by government ordinance on September 1, 1956.
The city's tram and trolleybus system was abolished in 1972, the same year as the opening of the first line of Yokohama Municipal Subway.
Construction of Minato Mirai 21 ("Port Future 21"), a major urban development project on reclaimed land, started in 1983. Minato Mirai 21 hosted the Yokohama Exotic Showcase in 1989, which saw the first public operation of maglev trains in Japan and the opening of Cosmo Clock 21, then the largest Ferris wheel in the world. The 860m-long Yokohama Bay Bridge opened in the same year.
In 1993, Minato Mirai saw the opening of the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Japan.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup final was held in June at the International Stadium Yokohama.
In 2009, the city will mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the port and the 120th anniversary of the commencement of the City Administration. An early part in the commemoration project incorporates the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) which was held in Yokohama in May 2008.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama
http://wikitravel.org/en/Yokohama
Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License |
