Yokohama (Tokyo)
Yokohama, now Japan’s second-largest city, began as a small, quiet fishing village before its fate changed dramatically in 1859, when it became one of the first ports opened to foreign trade after Japan ended over two centuries of isolation. This pivotal moment transformed Yokohama into a thriving international gateway, attracting foreign merchants, diplomats, and industries that brought Western architecture, technology, and culture to Japanese shores. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it had grown into a modern, cosmopolitan city, but its progress was disrupted by the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and again by Allied bombings during World War II. Remarkably, Yokohama rebuilt each time, emerging stronger and more forward-looking. Today, it is celebrated for its vibrant waterfront, multicultural atmosphere, and iconic landmarks such as the historic Red Brick Warehouses, the scenic Yamashita Park, and the futuristic Minato Mirai district. Its legacy as Japan’s first true international city continues to shape its character—where history meets innovation in a dynamic urban setting.
💡Yokohama (Tokyo): Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, and Korea are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT)
💬 Language: Japanese, but English is also spoken; street signs, announcements, and signage on trains and buses are in English
🏷️ Price Level: While more expensive than other Asian countries, it is said that Taiwan is about 30% cheaper than the US and European countries
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Japan US$ 3.33
💰 Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)| 1 USD = ca. 143 JPY
☀️ Best Times to Visit: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November)
🚘 Transportation: local trains, Yokohama Municipal Subway, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, buses, and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Japan uses type A and B plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from the US, but it is needed when coming from Europe
🛜 WiFi: widely available; Yokohama_Free_Wi-Fi and Tokyo Free Wi-Fi are free, government-provided public WiFi services that can be accessed around town
🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: While little food stalls take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and may even be considered rude. Exceptional service is already built into the experience.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: 1-1-4 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa,231-0002 (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🏙️ Yokohama is located about 21 miles (35 km) from the city center of Tokyo.
🎟️ Suica and Pasmo are rechargeable smart cards used for public transportation in Japan, especially in and around Tokyo. They make it super easy to ride trains, buses, and even pay at convenience stores without using cash. They work almost identically and can be used interchangeably on most transit systems. You just tap the card on a reader when entering and exiting stations or buses. The most convenient way is to download one of the cards through Samsung or Apple Pay to add value on the go.
✈️ Haneda Airport (HND) is located around 11 miles (20 km) from Tokyo Station and can easily be reached by public transportation. The terminals are served by the Keikyu Airport Line and Tokyo Monorail.
Tokyo International Airport (NRT) is located about 40 miles (70 km) from Tokyo Station, and multiple train lines connect the airport with the city center. The Narita Express train is the fastest way to get to Tokyo Station (60 minutes) and costs around 3,000 JPY.
🚇 The port offers a free shuttle bus from the port to Sakuragichō Station. From there, Yokohama Station is one stop away (150 JPY - 210 JPY), while in the northerly direction, Tokyo Station is about a 35-minute ride away (580 JPY).
Public transportation in both Yokohama and Tokyo is efficient and extensive, connecting almost all parts of the cities and outlying areas. Trains are clean, frequent, and announcements and signage are well-posted and in English. Stations have designated numbers and letters, which makes getting around more convenient than having to remember the station name.
🚌 The one-line Yokohama Hop On Hop Off bus is designed to give visitors a good overview of the city’s sights. It leaves from Sakuragicho Station.
The three lines of the Tokyo Hop On Hop Off bus leave from the Marunouchi Mitsubishi Building and connect the most important sights around the city.
⭐️ Top Sights in Yokohama & Tokyo
"With over 5.5 million vending machines, Tokyo is the vending machine capital of the world."
📸 Minato Mirai 21: This seaside urban area in central Yokohama was a large shipyard until the 1980s, when development began to turn the area into a new city center. The “harbor of the future” also includes the Landmark Tower, which was Japan’s tallest building from 1993 to 2014.
📸 Chinatown: Yokohama Chinatown, also known as Yokohama Chuukagai, is the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world. It's a bustling district in central Yokohama, packed with over 500 Chinese shops and restaurants. The area's history dates back to the late 19th century, when Chinese merchants settled there after Yokohama's port opened.
📸 Sankeien Garden: Sankeien is a large, beautiful Japanese-style garden showcasing historical buildings and landscape design. It was founded by Hara Sankei, a wealthy businessman and art collector, and opened to the public in 1906. The garden features relocated historic structures, a three-story pagoda, and seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms and lotus.
📸 Osanbashi Pier: The pier is one of the oldest piers in Yokohama and a major port for cruise ships, serving as a gateway to Japan. The pier offers stunning views of the bay and the Minato Mirai skyline.
📸 Tokyo Skytree: The Skytree is a 634-meter-tall broadcasting and observation tower located in Tokyo, Japan. It's the tallest structure in Japan and was the tallest tower in the world upon its completion in 2012. It features two public observation decks, Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria, offering panoramic views of Tokyo.
📸 Senso-ji Temple: Senso-ji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is Tokyo's oldest temple and a popular tourist destination. It is a Buddhist temple located in the Asakusa district and is known for its iconic architecture and long history. The temple complex includes the main hall, a five-story pagoda, and various smaller structures.
📸 Shibuya Crossing: The “Shibuya Scramble Crossing”, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at the same time, is the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. The Hachikō statue, a memorial to a loyal dog, is a popular meeting point near the crossing.
📸 Meiji Shrine: This shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It was built in 1920 to honor their contributions to modernizing Japan. The shrine is surrounded by a vast forest, with trees donated from all over Japan.
📸 Imperial Palace: The Imperial Palace, specifically the Tokyo Imperial Palace, is the official residence of the Emperor of Japan and the center of the Imperial Household. It's located in the Chiyoda district of Tokyo and occupies the site of the former Edo Castle. While the inner palace grounds are generally not open to the public, the East Gardens and the surrounding area are open to visitors for free. The palace is also known for its large, public-accessible gardens and is a significant historical and cultural landmark.
📸 Akihabara: Often called Tokyo's Electric Town, Akihabara is a district in Tokyo, Japan, known for its vibrant mix of electronics, anime, manga, and otaku culture. It's a major shopping district for electronics, video games, anime merchandise, and related goods. Akihabara is also known for its unique cafes, like cat cafes, and is a hub for the otaku lifestyle.
📸 Ueno Park: Ueno Park is a large public park in Tokyo, Japan, known for its vibrant mix of culture and nature. It's a popular destination, especially in spring when cherry blossoms are in bloom. Today, Ueno Park is famous for the many museums found on its grounds, especially the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the National Science Museum. It is also home to Ueno Zoo, Japan's first zoological garden.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Japanese food is characterized by its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, delicate flavors, and beautiful presentation. It prioritizes simplicity, with dishes often featuring natural flavors derived from the ingredients themselves, rather than heavy sauces. A key characteristic is the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavors, often accompanied by steamed rice.
🍽️ Edomae sushi: This traditional style of sushi originated in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period and is characterized by its emphasis on fresh, local seafood and specific preparation techniques. It's often described as the "original fast food" of Japan, developed for convenience and to preserve fish without refrigeration.
🍽️ Ramen: Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle soup dish consisting of wheat noodles in a meat- or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and topped with various ingredients like pork, seaweed, and green onions.
🍽️ Tempura: Tempura is a popular Japanese dish where food, typically seafood and vegetables, is lightly battered and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The batter is made from flour, egg, and water, creating a light and airy coating. Tempura is often served with a light dipping sauce called tentsuyu (made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin), as well as grated daikon radish and ginger.
🍽️ Soba & Udon: Soba and udon are two popular types of Japanese noodles. Soba noodles are made primarily from buckwheat flour, giving them a darker color and a slightly nutty flavor. Udon noodles, on the other hand, are made from wheat flour and are white or light in color, with a more neutral flavor and chewier texture.
🍽️ Yakitori: Yakitori is a Japanese dish consisting of grilled chicken skewers, often seasoned with salt or tare sauce. The word "yakitori" translates to "grilled chicken" in Japanese. It's a popular street food and is enjoyed in restaurants and convenience stores throughout Japan.
🍽️ Konbini Food: The three most popular convenience stores in Japan are 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. While the stores may look similar to me at first glance, each has its own unique characteristics, attracts loyal fans, and integrates seamlessly into the community. Popular items include onigiri (rice balls), egg sandwiches, fried chicken (Famichiki), and oden (hot pot). Also, instant ramen, bento boxes, and various snacks and sweets are readily available.
🥤Matcha: Matcha is a type of powdered green tea, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. It's made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which are shade-grown, harvested, steamed, and then ground into a fine powder using stone mills.
🥤Melon Soda: Melon soda is a sweet, carbonated drink with a bright green color and a flavor that is supposed to be melon, though the taste can vary depending on the brand or recipe.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Yokohama
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tokyo
🚲 DOCOMO Bike-Share - Yokohama and Tokyo
🚕 GO
🚕 Uber
🚕 Didi