Yokohama packs Japan’s largest Chinatown, a futuristic waterfront district, one of the country’s tallest buildings, and a 250-year-old traditional garden into a compact, walkable area. It’s 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by JR train and works as a day trip or a 2-3 day standalone destination. Here are the top attractions with practical details: opening hours, ticket prices, and how to reach each one. See our weather by month guide for more details.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Minato Mirai Waterfront
Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden
The 69th-floor observation deck at 296 meters delivers 360-degree views of Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, and the Boso Peninsula. On clear winter mornings (December-February), Mount Fuji is visible 80% of the time. The high-speed elevator covers 69 floors in 40 seconds. Open daily 10:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30). Admission is 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for seniors and high school students, 500 yen for children. The tower is a 3-minute walk from Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line. Combine with a visit to the adjacent Landmark Plaza shopping center for lunch. See our best time to visit guide for more details.
Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga Soko)
Two early-20th-century brick customs buildings converted into a shopping and dining complex with 60+ stores, cafes, and restaurants. The seaside plaza hosts seasonal events: Oktoberfest (late September to early October), Christmas Market (late November to December 25), and ice skating (December to February). Free entry to the buildings and plaza. Individual shops and restaurants set their own hours, typically 11:00-20:00. The open plaza is accessible 24 hours. Located a 6-minute walk from Bashamichi Station or 15 minutes from Sakuragicho Station. Best visited in late afternoon to catch sunset over the bay, then stay for dinner and the illuminated warehouse facade. See our events and festivals guide for more details.
Cosmo World Ferris Wheel
The 112.5-meter Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel was the world’s tallest when it opened and remains an iconic Yokohama landmark. A full rotation takes 15 minutes. The light show at night has become a symbol of Minato Mirai. Open 11:00-21:00 (until 22:00 on weekends and holidays). Closed Thursdays. Tickets are 800 yen per person. Located directly in front of Minatomirai Station. The adjacent amusement park has roller coasters and a log flume with pay-per-ride tickets; no park entry fee. See our neighborhoods guide for more details.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Chinatown and Kannai
Yokohama Chinatown
The largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the biggest in the world, spanning 10 city blocks with over 600 shops and restaurants. Enter through one of four ornate gates (Zenrin-mon at the east entrance is the most photographed). The main street, Chukagai Odori, runs east-west and is packed with steamed bun (nikuman) vendors, dim sum restaurants, and souvenir shops. Must-try items: Kiyoken shumai (pork dumplings, 600 yen for 6 pieces), Edosei nikuman (giant steamed pork buns, 500 yen), and Heichinrou’s Peking duck (3,500 yen for lunch set). Most restaurants open 11:00-22:00. The area is a 5-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line. Chinese New Year celebrations in late January/February transform the district with lion dances and firecrackers. See our where to stay guide for more details.
Yokohama Marine Tower
At 106 meters, this lighthouse-turned-observation-tower opened in 1961 and offers views of the Bay Bridge and Minato Mirai skyline that differ from Landmark Tower’s higher vantage point. The 29th and 30th floors house the observation deck. Open 10:00-22:00 (last entry 21:30). Admission is 750 yen for adults, 500 yen for children. Located near Yamashita Park, a 5-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station. The tower is adjacent to the Hotel New Grand, where General MacArthur stayed during the post-war occupation. See our travel tips and FAQ for more details.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Gardens and Parks
Sankeien Garden
A 175,000-square-meter traditional Japanese garden built by silk trader Tomitaro Hara, opened to the public in 1906. It contains 17 historic buildings relocated from Kyoto, Kamakura, and Nara, including a three-story pagoda from 1457 (visible from much of the garden) and the Rinshunkaku villa. The inner garden requires a separate ticket. Cherry blossoms peak late March, autumn foliage peaks November 20-25, and plum blossoms bloom February to early March. Open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Outer garden admission is 700 yen for adults, 200 yen for children. Inner garden adds another 300 yen. Located a 10-minute bus ride from Negishi Station (JR Negishi Line), take bus 58, 99, or 101 to Honmoku Sankeien Mae stop.
Yamashita Park
A 750-meter waterfront park opened in 1930, built on reclaimed land using rubble from the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The park runs along the bay from the Osanbashi Pier cruise terminal to Yamashita Pier. Key sights include the Hikawa Maru ocean liner museum ship (admission 300 yen), the Girl with Red Shoes statue, and the Water Fountain. The rose garden blooms in May and October. Free entry, open 24 hours. The park is a 3-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station. Best visited on weekday mornings when it’s quiet; weekends bring street performers and family crowds.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Museums
Cup Noodles Museum
An interactive museum dedicated to instant ramen and its inventor, Momofuku Ando, who founded Nissin Foods in 1948. The highlight is the My Cup Noodles Factory where you design your own cup and choose from 5,460 flavor combinations (500 yen per cup, reservation recommended on weekends). The museum also traces the history of instant noodles through visual exhibits and recreations of Ando’s original 1958 research shed. Open 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00). Closed Tuesdays. Admission is 500 yen for adults, free for children. Located in Minato Mirai, a 8-minute walk from Minatomirai Station. Budget 2 hours for the full experience including the DIY ramen workshop.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
A food court disguised as a museum, set in a detailed recreation of 1958 Tokyo streets. Nine ramen shops from across Japan serve mini bowls (half portions) so you can sample 2-3 regional styles in one visit. Shops rotate periodically. The most popular stops include Ryushanhai for Hokkaido miso ramen and Komurasaki for Kumamoto tonkotsu. Open 11:00-22:00 (until 21:00 on Sundays and holidays). Entry is 380 yen for adults, plus 500-900 yen per mini bowl of ramen. Located a 5-minute walk from Shin-Yokohama Station (JR Shinkansen stop). Go on a weekday to avoid 45-minute queues at popular stalls.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Nearby Day Trips
Kamakura (30 minutes by JR Yokosuka Line)
The seaside town of Kamakura packs dozens of Zen temples, the 13.35-meter bronze Great Buddha (Kotoku-in, admission 300 yen), and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine into a compact area. The Enoden vintage tram connects Kamakura Station to Enoshima Island. Hiking trails through the wooded hills connect the major temples. The Daibutsu hiking trail from Kita-Kamakura Station to the Great Buddha takes about 90 minutes. Kamakura gets crowded on weekends and holidays; go on a weekday morning for the best experience. The 30-minute JR Yokosuka Line ride from Yokohama Station costs 340 yen one way.
