Yokohama’s neighborhoods range from the glass-and-steel waterfront of Minato Mirai to the narrow, atmospheric streets of the historic foreign settlement. Each district has a distinct character, price point, and target audience. This guide covers the best neighborhoods in Yokohama , what each area is known for, who it suits, and what you will find there.
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Minato Mirai 21
Minato Mirai 21 (“Future Port 21”) is Yokohama’s showpiece waterfront district, built on reclaimed land starting in the 1980s. This is where you will find the Landmark Tower, Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, Red Brick Warehouse, Cup Noodles Museum, and the Pacifico Yokohama convention center. The skyline of gleaming towers fronting Tokyo Bay defines the city’s modern image. Shopping centers Queen’s Square and Landmark Plaza connect via elevated walkways. Best for first-time visitors who want to be in the center of the action. Hotel rates here range from 15,000-40,000 yen per night. The Minatomirai Line connects directly to Shibuya in 30 minutes (500 yen).
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Kannai and Bashamichi
Kannai is Yokohama’s historic administrative and business district, anchored by the Yokohama Stadium (home of the DeNA BayStars baseball team) and the Kanagawa Prefectural Government buildings. The streets are lined with Meiji-era and Taisho-era Western-style architecture , the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History (1904) and the Yokohama Archives of History are standout examples. Bashamichi (“Horse-Drawn Carriage Street”) runs through the heart of Kannai with brick sidewalks and gaslight-style street lamps. Best for history buffs and business travelers. Hotel rates: 8,000-20,000 yen per night. Direct access to the JR Negishi Line and the Minatomirai Line at Sakuragicho Station.
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Chinatown (Chukagai)
Yokohama Chinatown packs over 600 Chinese restaurants, shops, and temples into a 10-block grid. The neighborhood developed after the port opened in 1859 as Chinese traders and laborers settled here. Today it is a sensory overload in the best way , the smell of steamed buns and stir-fried noodles, the glow of red lanterns at dusk, and the ornate Kanteibyo Temple at the center. Best for food-focused travelers and anyone who wants a lively, walkable base with late-night dining options. Hotels are limited within Chinatown itself , the Hotel JAL City Kannai and Rose Hotel Yokohama sit at the edges (12,000-25,000 yen per night). Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Minatomirai Line) is a 3-minute walk.
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Motomachi and Yamate
Motomachi is Yokohama’s upscale shopping street with European flair, while Yamate on the bluff above preserves the Western-style houses of early foreign diplomats and merchants. This is Yokohama’s quietest and most atmospheric neighborhood, with narrow staircases connecting the shopping street below to the gardens and historical homes above. The Yamate Museum, Foreign Cemetery, and Harbor View Park offer bay views without the crowds of Minato Mirai. Best for couples and travelers seeking a quieter, more residential base. Hotels are scarce in this area , most visitors stay in Kannai or Minato Mirai and visit Motomachi/Yamate as a half-day excursion on foot.
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Yokohama Station Area
Yokohama Station is one of the busiest train stations in the world, serving 2.1 million passengers daily across JR lines, the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Keikyu Line, Sotetsu Line, and the Blue Line subway. The surrounding area is a dense commercial district with department stores (Sogo, Takashimaya, Lumine), electronics retailers (Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera), and hundreds of restaurants. It is convenient but not scenic , if you want the postcard Yokohama experience, stay in Minato Mirai and commute here for shopping or transit connections. Best for budget travelers who prioritize transportation access. Hotel rates: 7,000-18,000 yen per night. Haneda Airport is 25 minutes by Keikyu Line (480 yen).
Best Neighborhoods in Yokohama: Shin-Yokohama
Shin-Yokohama is a modern district built around the Shinkansen (bullet train) station, which connects to Tokyo Station in 17 minutes (1,440 yen unreserved), Nagoya in 80 minutes (11,000 yen), and Kyoto in 110 minutes (14,000 yen). The area has the Ramen Museum, the Yokohama Arena (major concert venue, 17,000 capacity), and the Nissan Stadium (72,000 seats, 2002 World Cup final venue). Best for travelers using Yokohama as a Shinkansen hub or attending events at the arena or stadium. Hotel rates: 8,000-22,000 yen per night. The Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line connects Shin-Yokohama to central Yokohama in 12 minutes (240 yen).
