Top 11 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Yokohama, Japan

The popular and fashionable port city, Yokohama. Here you can experience Yokohama’s history when it prospered as a port city, while also being surrounded by the newest trends. People flock to Yokohama to enjoy the city’s views. There are a lot of different ways to enjoy the scenery, so you’ll be kept busy basking in its stunning sights. We’ve compiled 11 of Yokohama’s top places to visit, covering all fields – sightseeing, amusement, shopping, and food. Take a look, and add them to your list for your visit to Yokohama!

1. Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park is the most popular park in Yokohama. What makes this park so great? You can gaze out at the Yokohama Bay Bridge, and watch the ships sailing through the harbor from here!

In addition to a great view of the ocean, the park is also really popular for its rose garden. The types of roses in the garden change depending on the season, so you can see a pretty wide variety of roses if you come here.

The park is filled with many other attractions including the statue of a girl with red shoes on, an Indian water tower, and a guardian of water statue. You can grab a bite for breakfast at the many cafes in the area, then take a nice stroll through the park afterwards.

Yokohama Chinatown is really close by too, so if you’re feeling pretty stuffed after eating some authentic Chinese food, come to Yamashita Park for a short rest!

2. Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal

The Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal is located along a large pier that protrudes out into the ocean from Yokohama. Many people from all over come here to look at the giant cruise ship up close. With its unique appearance, the rooftop of the ship has been dubbed the name “Whale’s Back”.

The rooftop has a wood deck and grass spread out across it, so you can stand here to look out at the entire view of the beautiful port city.

It’s open 24 hours, so you can come here at any time to take a look. The view during the day is spectacular, but the night view is breathtaking and holds its own value. It’s the perfect place to come to sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

3. Landmark Tower

True to its name, the Landmark Tower is an impressive building standing tall even amongst the many skyscrapers spreading out across Yokohama. With such a striking presence, it’s no mystery as to why it holds the title as one of the foremost symbols of the city.

The Sky Garden, an observation deck, is located 273m above ground level on the 69th floor of the building. And what do you take to get up to that observation desk? The fastest elevator in all of Japan!

If there weather’s good, you can clearly see the center of the city and Tokyo Bay. Even on days where the weather’s not so great, the Landmark Tower has loads of places that will keep you busy with shopping and food.

4. Bashamichi Street

Bashamichi is a really popular tourist spot that depicts the stunning, historical streets of Yokohama. Long ago, foreigners went up and down this street on horse-drawn carriages, which is where the name “Bashamichi”, or “Horse-drawn Carriage Street”, comes from.

You can get a feel for how things looked back then since many items, such as gas lights that were used by foreigners who lived in this area, have been left as is.

The historical scene that the street provides is one that you’d want to take a picture of to preserve its memory.

You’ll have fun just walking around the area, but you can also have someone pull you around the area on a rickshaw! Bashamichi Shopping Avenue, a street with over 300 stores selling delicious treats and unique goods, is nearby, so there’s an endless amount of things to look at here.

5. Cosmo World

Cosmo World is an amusement park that is home to a giant Ferris wheel – the most prominent feature of Yokohama’s skyline. The Ferris wheel lights up at night, making Cosmo World a recognizable icon when enjoying the outstanding night view from afar.

But looking out on all of Yokohama while riding on the Ferris wheel at night is another amazing experience in itself, so be sure to line up to ride it if you have some time left over!

From thrilling roller coaster rides, to kids’ areas, Cosmo World has a variety of other attractions, too. It’s a popular place for couples and families alike!

 
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6. Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is an amusement park that you can add onto your list as a date spot, or even on a trip out with your family. The park is located on Hakkeijima Island and has 4 aquariums each with its own theme.

It holds the largest collection of marine life in Japan, with more than 500 species of fish and over 100,000 sea creatures in total. You can attend shows, and even touch some of the animals!

There are also many other attractions, like Surf Coaster LEVIATHAN, a rollercoaster that shoots out of the ocean, and an area where children and adults can both have fun learning about marine life. The island has hotels, restaurants, and an area where you can hold a barbeque. To get to Hakkeijima, it takes about a 30 minute train ride from Yokohama Station.

7. Queen’s Square

photo by kotamishima   /   embedded from Instagram

When it comes to traveling, sightseeing and eating come to mind, but of course we can’t forget shopping! If you’re in Yokohama and you want to know where to go shopping, we recommend Queen’s Square.

It’s directly connected to Minatomirai Station, and has a wide variety of products spanning foods, fashion, and miscellaneous goods, making it an extremely convenient mall in both location and variety.

It’s located right next to Landmark Tower, so you can really get a bunch of shopping done in one go. And, while you’re at it, you can try Yokohama’s local specialties at the many delicious eateries.

8. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

If you’re in Yokohama, you absolutely cannot miss out on the Red Brick Warehouse! The outside of the building has a retro feel and lights up orange at night. It’s one of the most popular destinations for both locals and tourists, with plenty of shopping and food to enjoy.

If the weather’s nice, you can sit out on the terrace for a somewhat stylish and classy break. It also often is the site for a variety of events like Christmas Market in December, Flower Garden in April, and Oktoberfest, so check to see if there are any events happening there when you’re visiting.

9. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

photo by edo_fuurin   /   embedded from Instagram

Are you a foodie? Do you love ramen? Then this is the place for you. As you can tell from the name, it’s a place dedicated to ramen.

The unique interior of the building portrays the atmosphere of Japan in the 1900’s, and you’ll feel yourself getting excited about what’s to come the second you step in. Here you can taste delicious, local ramen from all over Japan in just one place!

The restaurants change out regularly, so you’ll find yourself with a new, fresh experience each time you go. It’s not all about just eating, though – it’s for fun for the family, too, with booths where you can make your own original bol of ramen.

→The 10 Best Ramen Shops You Must Eat in Yokohama, Japan

10. The Original “Kiyoken” Restaurant

photo by taste_of_bytown   /   embedded from Instagram

Yokohama is a city famous for its Chinatown. As such, it isn’t a surprise that it’s well-known for its Chinese local specialty foods. One of its most popular is the shumai (steamed meat dumplings) at the first Kiyoken Restaurant, which is located underneath Yokohama Station.

If you come all the way to Yokohama, it would be a shame to leave without trying it! It’s also a very popular souvenir, so they’re sold at stalls and shops in many places such as the station.

There’s a special limited time shumai comes in a variety of colors and is made with high-quality ingredients… and you can only eat at this exact Kiyoken Restaurant! Since it’s located right below the station, if you have a little time, why not stop by for a quick bite?

11. Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama’s Chinatown is not only the largest Chinatown in Japan, but it is also serves as an incredibly popular tourist destination in Yokahama as it is always bustling with crowds of people.

Lunch prices can vary from being reasonable to quite pricey, so you can choose what you want depending on your preferences or budget. It’s a good opportunity to try some authentic Chinese food while you’re in the area.

If you’re looking to wander around and explore the area, it’s also really popular to walk around while enjoying some meat buns or tapioca tea at the same time. There are food stands on the sides of the streets where you can buy these quick treats.

Besides food shops, there are also a lot of souvenir shops and fortune telling stands, so you’ll have a lot of walking around! It’s definitely a spot you want to drop by while you’re here.

Take a visit to Yokohama!

What did you think about Yokohama’s must-go spots? Yokohama has so many places to go, so it might be good to first decide on a theme or course to go with before you visit. The night view is particularly stunning. We recommend setting some extra time aside to really enjoy and take in its beauty… it will definitely be a trip to remember.