Yokohama packs more attractions into its compact waterfront than most cities twice its size. From the futuristic Minato Mirai 21 district to the largest Chinatown in Asia outside China, the city balances ultra-modern development with well-preserved historical sites that tell the story of Japan’s opening to the world. These are the top things to do in Yokohama, organized by area so you can plan efficient walking routes.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Minato Mirai 21 Waterfront
Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden
At 296 meters, this was Japan’s tallest building until 2012. The 69th-floor Sky Garden observatory (1,000 yen, open 10:00-21:00 weekdays, until 22:00 weekends) delivers a 360-degree panorama spanning Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji on clear winter days, and the Boso Peninsula. The elevator ride itself is a draw , it was the world’s fastest at 750 meters per minute when the building opened in 1993, reaching the top floor in 40 seconds. Visit on weekday mornings for the shortest queue.
Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel
This 112-meter Ferris wheel at Cosmo World amusement park was the world’s tallest when it debuted in 1989. It now features a massive LED clock display visible across the bay. A 15-minute ride costs 800 yen (open 11:00-22:00, until 23:00 on weekends). The transparent-bottom gondolas cost the same as regular ones and are worth the slight extra wait. At night the wheel illuminates in changing colors synchronized to the hour. The adjacent Cosmo World park has free entry with pay-per-ride attractions.
Red Brick Warehouse (Aka Renga)
These twin early-20th-century customs buildings were restored in 2002 and now house boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and event spaces. Building 1 (built 1913) focuses on cultural events and performance spaces. Building 2 (built 1911) contains shops and dining. The plaza between them hosts seasonal events: an ice skating rink in winter (December-February, 700 yen), Oktoberfest in fall, and a craft beer festival in summer. Free entry to both buildings. Open 11:00-20:00 daily.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown (Chukagai)
The largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world, spanning 10 city blocks with over 600 shops and restaurants. Enter through one of four colorful paifang gates , the Zenrinmon Gate on the east side is the most photographed. The central Kanteibyo Temple (free, open 9:00-19:00) is a lavishly decorated Taoist shrine dedicated to Guan Yu, the god of business. Visit during Chinese New Year (late January/February) for lion dances and firecrackers that draw 1.5 million visitors over the festival period.
Chinatown Street Food and Nikuman
The signature food of Yokohama Chinatown is the nikuman (steamed pork bun), sold from dozens of street stalls for 300-500 yen each. Edosei (open 10:00-20:00) near the Zenrinmon Gate is the most famous vendor, often with a 20-minute queue on weekends. Their giant nikuman (800 yen) is stuffed with pork, shrimp, and vegetables. For a sit-down meal, Manchinro Honten (open 11:00-22:00) has served Cantonese cuisine since 1892 , the shark fin soup (3,500 yen) and Peking duck (4,800 yen half) are the house specialties.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Museums and Culture
Cup Noodles Museum
Dedicated to instant ramen inventor Momofuku Ando, who founded Nissin Foods in 1948. The interactive museum (500 yen, open 10:00-18:00, closed Tuesdays) lets you design your own Cup Noodles package (400 yen extra) and hand-make fresh chicken ramen from scratch (800 yen, 90-minute workshop, advance booking recommended). The Instant Noodles History Cube displays all 3,000+ Nissin product packages chronologically. Allow 2-3 hours. Located a 7-minute walk from Minatomirai Station.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Part museum, part food court, this underground complex (380 yen, open 11:00-22:00 daily) replicates a 1958 Tokyo streetscape and features 8 ramen shops from across Japan. Each shop serves mini-portions (600-900 yen) so you can sample 2-3 regional styles in one visit. The museum explains ramen history and regional variations. Located next to Shin-Yokohama Station , take the JR Yokohama Line from Yokohama Station (5 minutes, 180 yen).
NYK Maritime Museum
Housed in a 1936 Art Deco building on the waterfront, this museum (400 yen, open 10:00-17:00, closed Mondays) traces Japan’s maritime history from the 1850s. Exhibits include scale models of NYK Line vessels, navigational instruments, and a detailed account of the Hikawa Maru ocean liner docked outside , an additional 300 yen lets you tour the 1930 ship that once sailed the Yokohama-Seattle route and survived both World War II mine strikes and the 2011 tsunami.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Gardens and Parks
Sankeien Garden
This 175,000-square-meter traditional Japanese garden (700 yen, open 9:00-17:00) was built by silk merchant Sankei Hara between 1902 and 1908. Seventeen historic buildings were relocated here from Kyoto, Kamakura, and other sites, including a three-story pagoda from 1457 visible from across the central pond. Cherry blossoms peak in early April, autumn foliage in late November, and plum blossoms in February. The garden’s teahouse serves matcha and wagashi (700 yen). Take bus 8 or 148 from JR Negishi Station (10 minutes, 220 yen).
Yamashita Park
This 750-meter waterfront promenade (free, 24 hours) opened in 1930 on land reclaimed from the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake rubble. The park features rose gardens, a statue of the Girl in Red Shoes from the famous children’s song, and the Hikawa Maru ocean liner docked at the eastern end. Views stretch across Tokyo Bay to the Boso Peninsula. The Yokohama Marine Tower (1,000 yen, open 10:00-22:00) rises 106 meters at the park’s edge with an observation deck. Street performers and artists gather on weekends.
Things to Do in Yokohama: Historic Districts
Motomachi Shopping Street
This upscale shopping street traces its origins to the 1860s when foreign merchants settled here after the port opened. Today it’s a 600-meter stretch of boutiques, patisseries, and cafes with European architectural influences. The Motomachi Union supermarket in the basement of the Motomachi Plaza building stocks imported goods you will not find elsewhere. Kitamura (open 11:00-20:00) has sold premium leather bags since 1882. Stop at Poire for their famous apple pie (500 yen).
Yamate Western-Style Houses
Seven restored Western-style residences from the early 20th century sit on the bluff overlooking the port, preserved as free museums (open 9:30-17:00, closed second Wednesday of each month). The Bluff No. 18 House, Ehrismann Residence, and Diplomat’s House each showcase different architectural styles and period furnishings. The adjacent Yamate Museum and Foreign Cemetery provide historical context about Yokohama’s foreign settlement era. Walk up from Motomachi-Chukagai Station through the atmospheric narrow staircases and slopes.
