Yokohama Travel Tips

Yokohama (横浜), Japan’s vibrant second-largest city, sits just south of Tokyo and offers a compelling mix of international flair, maritime history, and urban sophistication. With a population exceeding three million, it serves as the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and plays a key role in the nation’s modern identity. Originally a small fishing village, Yokohama underwent a rapid transformation after its port opened to foreign trade in 1859. This historic pivot positioned the city as Japan’s first true gateway to the world, attracting diplomats, merchants, and artists whose influences are still evident in the cityscape today.

Tourists can dive into Yokohama’s layered character by visiting its iconic Chinatown—one of the largest outside China—where vibrant storefronts, dragon motifs, and steaming baskets of dim sum fill the air with energy. In contrast, the hillside Yamate district offers serene walks past 19th-century Western residences and rose-lined gardens once home to foreign settlers. Down by the harbor, the futuristic Minato Mirai district invites exploration with its soaring skyscrapers, interactive museums, and coastal promenades, all backdropped by the iconic Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel. Whether discovering hidden alleys or admiring skyline views from the waterfront, Yokohama provides an immersive experience where tradition and modernity seamlessly converge.