If you have time to take a daytrip from Tokyo, consider a trip to Yokohama. Only about 30 minutes from Tokyo by train, this spacious harbor city is home to beautiful shopping malls, movie theaters, museums, and even an amusement park.
Stunning views
You can start your day by riding Japan’s fastest elevator in Landmark Tower, which whisks you up to the 69th floor in just under 40 seconds! The observation deck offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Yokohama is also famous for its night views, centered around the ferris wheel in the Minatomirai area. The Whale’s Back platform on top of Osanbashi Pier is a great spot to take in the city lights.
Endless fun in Minatomirai
Afterward, explore Minatomirai — which means “harbor of the future” — at your own pace. Do some shopping at Landmark Plaza, MARK IS or World Porters, devour a delicious Hawaiian gourmet burger at Kua Aina in Akarenga Soko (Red Brick Warehouse), explore the Cup Noodles Museum, relax in a hot spring at Manyo Club, and more!
For boat enthusiasts, there are two great museums around the Minatomirai area. One is Japan Coast Guard Museum Yokohama, which contains a North Korean spy ship. The other is NYK Hikawa Maru, a cargo and passenger ocean liner that used to journey between Yokohama and Seattle, US, making 254 voyages across the Pacific Ocean during its time. The vessel, which also served as a navy hospital ship during World War II, is now a museum docked permanently at Yamashita Park.
Yokohama Chinatown
Another famous Yokohama neighborhood is Chinatown, the largest in Japan. Within walking distance of the harborside Yamashita Park, Chinatown is a popular spot for dates or hanging out with friends. Most visitors come to Chinatown to eat, with options ranging from food stalls to fancy restaurants. Although many of the restaurants have adapted their dishes to suit the Japanese palate, poking around the neighborhood’s side streets and alleys can reveal some authentic hidden gems.
Yokohama Chinatown developed after Yokohama became one of Japan’s first ports that opened to foreign trade in the mid-1800s, and it was home to many Chinese traders in those days.
Strolling home
Finally, to wrap up your day, take a stroll back to Yokohama Station along the Hamamirai Walk. You will get to walk through the Nissan Headquarters building and across a pretty pedestrian bridge over the water.