Planning a trip to Yokohama can feel overwhelming with so many options. If you’re looking for a clear, easy-to-follow plan for a fantastic Yokohama day trip, this is the guide for you. Based on a well-planned route starting from JR Shin-Yokohama Station, this Yokohama itinerary covers the city’s best highlights, from delicious food to stunning views.
Let’s dive in.
1. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
- Travel: A quick 5-minute walk from the station.
- What It Is: Your first stop is a unique food theme park dedicated entirely to Japanese ramen. The main attraction is a stunningly detailed recreation of a Tokyo street scene from 1958, creating an incredible retro atmosphere.
- What to Do & See:
- Explore the Retro Town: Head down to the two basement floors to wander the “Shitamachi” town. The ceiling is a painted sky that shifts from day to dusk, adding to the illusion. It’s filled with old movie posters, vintage signs, and shops that make for amazing photos.
- Sample Regional Ramen: The main event! Nine famous ramen shops from different regions of Japan have branches here. You can try rich Tonkotsu from Kyushu, savory Miso from Hokkaido, and more.
- Visit the Museum Gallery: On the first floor, there’s a gallery detailing the history of ramen, from its origins to the invention of instant noodles.
- Recommendation: Nearly every shop offers a “mini-ramen” size. This is the pro move. It allows you to try two or even three different styles without getting too full at your first stop.
Read more about the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum:
2. Yokohama Chinatown
- Travel: 40 minutes via train and a short walk.
- What It Is: The largest and most celebrated Chinatown in Japan, a vibrant and bustling district packed with restaurants, temples, and shops.
- What to Do & See:
- Go Street Food Hopping: While the full-course meals are great, the true joy of Chinatown is grazing. Walk the main streets and side alleys to find vendors selling everything from savory pork buns (nikuman) to sweet sesame balls (goma dango) and crispy Peking duck wraps.
- Visit Kanteibyo Temple: In the heart of Chinatown sits this spectacular, ornate temple dedicated to the Chinese god of business and prosperity. The vibrant colors, intricate carvings, and the smell of incense make it a worthwhile cultural stop.
- Shop for Souvenirs: You’ll find everything here from authentic Chinese teas and spices to fun, kitschy souvenirs like panda-themed merchandise.
- Recommendation: Don’t miss the yaki-shoronpo (pan-fried soup dumplings). They are crispy on the bottom, soupy in the middle, and absolutely delicious. Look for shops with a line—it’s usually a good sign.
Read more about Yokohama Chinatown:
3. Yokohama Marine Tower
- Travel: A 9-minute walk from Chinatown.
- What It Is: A 106-meter-tall observation tower and lighthouse that has been a symbol of the port since 1961.
- What to Do & See:
- Enjoy the View: Take the elevator up to the two-story observation deck. From here, you get a sweeping 360-degree view of the Port of Yokohama, Yamashita Park below, the Minato Mirai skyline, and on a very clear day, even Mount Fuji.
- See the City at Night: If your timing allows, the view after sunset is spectacular, with the city lights twinkling below. The tower itself is also beautifully illuminated.
- Recommendation: Your ticket gives you day-and-night access, so you can visit, continue your tour, and potentially return after dark for a different perspective if you’re still in the area.
@juz.jillin Yokohama Marine Tower’s special tanabata lightup was so pretty ❤️ #横浜 #yokohama #tanabata #七夕 ♬ suara asli – Irfan Pradana – 이르판
4. Enokitei Honten
- Travel: A 13-minute walk.
- What It Is: A preserved Western-style residence from 1927, now serving as a classic English-style tea house in the quiet Yamate neighborhood.
- What to Do & See:
- Have Afternoon Tea: This is the place to slow down. Sit in the elegant dining room and order a slice of their famous rose-themed pound cake or another of their classic pastries, paired with a pot of specialty tea.
- Browse the Gift Shop: The adjacent shop sells many of their popular cakes, cookies, and tea blends, which make for wonderful and elegant souvenirs.
- Recommendation: Request a table by the window. You can look out onto the beautiful garden of the Yamate 111 House, adding to the tranquil, old-world atmosphere. It’s a perfect mid-afternoon reset.
5. Yokohama Three Towers
- Travel: 15 minutes via train and a short walk.
- What It Is: A collective nickname for three historical administrative buildings with distinctive domed towers: The King (Kanagawa Prefectural Office), The Queen (Yokohama Customs), and The Jack (Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall).
- What to Do & See:
- Appreciate the Architecture: You don’t need to go inside all of them; the main activity is to admire their impressive, early 20th-century architecture from the outside. They stand in beautiful contrast to the modern buildings around them.
- Find the Viewing Spots: There’s a local legend that your wishes will be granted if you can stand in a spot where all three towers are visible at once. It’s a fun mini-quest to find these spots (hint: Ōsanbashi Pier is a great place to look).
- Recommendation: The Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (“The Jack”) is arguably the most beautiful, with its unique red-brick and granite design. It’s often open to the public and worth a quick look inside if you have time.
Want to see these buildings in a historic Yokohama walk? I’ve got the perfect itinerary for you:
6. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
- Travel: An 8-minute walk.
- What It Is: A pair of iconic, beautifully preserved customs buildings from the early 1900s, now transformed into one of Yokohama’s most popular shopping and dining destinations.
- What to Do & See:
- Shop for Unique Goods: Building No. 2 is filled with independent boutiques, artisan craft stores, and shops selling Yokohama-exclusive items. It’s a great place to find a souvenir that isn’t mass-produced.
- Relax and Dine: You’ll find a variety of cafes, restaurants, and a food court offering everything from casual bites to sit-down meals. Many have balconies or terraces with harbor views.
- Check for Events: The large plaza between the two buildings is an event space that hosts something almost every month, from beer festivals in the summer to a famous German Christmas Market in December.
- Recommendation: Walk to the waterfront area behind the warehouses. It’s often less crowded and offers one of the best ground-level photo opportunities of the entire Minato Mirai skyline, including the Landmark Tower and the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.
7. Yokohama Hammerhead
- Travel: A 5-minute walk along the waterfront.
- What It Is: A combined cruise ship terminal, hotel, and commercial complex built on a pier, with a heavy focus on food and drink.
- What to Do & See:
- Explore the Food & Drink Options: The first two floors are a foodie’s dream. Walk through the “JAPAN RAMEN FOOD HALL” or visit the “Kamakura Ham Tomioka” shop. There are also cafes, a tea shop, and a craft beer restaurant.
- Walk the Deck: The outdoor deck wraps around the building, offering fantastic, up-close views of the water and ships that might be docked.
- Recommendation: This is an excellent place for a casual dinner. You can grab something from one of the many eateries and find a spot on the deck to eat as the sun goes down.
8. Yokohama Air Cabin
- Travel: A 13-minute journey including a walk and the ropeway ride.
- What It Is: A modern urban ropeway that connects the Shinko District (where the warehouses are) with Sakuragicho Station.
- What to Do & See:
- Enjoy the Aerial Journey: The Air Cabin offers a smooth, quiet glide over the water and city streets. It’s a unique transportation method that doubles as a major attraction, providing views you can’t get from the ground.
- Recommendation: Timing is everything. Use the Air Cabin at the end of your day, specifically at dusk or after dark. Seeing the Minato Mirai skyline—especially the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel—fully lit up from your private cabin is a spectacular and memorable way to end your Yokohama sightseeing adventure.
If you’re visiting Yokohama in spring, the Yokohama Air Cabin is also a great way to see sakura:
@juz.jillin Spring done right at Yokohama#filipinoinjapan #sakura2023 #japansakura🇯🇵🌸😍 #japanlife #japantravel #japansakura🇯🇵🌸😍 #yokohama #yokohama2023 #yokohamaspring #横浜桜木町 #yokohamaaircabin #汽車道 #横浜 ♬ Every Second – Mina Okabe
Helpful FAQs for Your Yokohama Trip
Is this itinerary very walkable?
The plan involves a mix of walking and taking the train. The walks between stops in the main waterfront area (Chinatown, Marine Tower, Red Brick Warehouse, etc.) are manageable and pleasant. However, be prepared for a couple of short train rides as outlined in the plan. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Want a walkable itinerary? Try this:
What’s a reasonable budget for this trip?
Aside from your train fares, a good estimate for the day would be around ¥5,000 – ¥7,000 per person. This would comfortably cover admission fees for places like the Ramen Museum and Marine Tower, plus meals, snacks, and the Air Cabin ride.
What if it rains on my day trip?
A rainy day won’t stop the fun. The Ramen Museum, the shops inside the Red Brick Warehouse, and the restaurants at Hammerhead are all excellent indoor activities. You’ll still be able to have a great Yokohama day trip, just with a focus on the indoor attractions.
Planning More of Your Yokohama Trip? Explore Nearby Kamakura!
After you’ve explored Yokohama, a trip to the historic coastal city of Kamakura is an absolute must. To make planning easier, I have created a fantastic Kamakura Annual Festival Guide.
For only $1, you get a detailed, 23-page month-by-month guide packed with local tips and even clickable links to event websites and Google Maps locations.
From Ramen to Ropeways: A Day in Yokohama
There you have it—a full day that takes you on a journey through Yokohama’s diverse character. From the retro ramen alleys and bustling streets of Chinatown to the historic elegance of the waterfront and the stunning modern views from above, this itinerary lets you experience the best of what the city has to offer. It’s a day of incredible food, rich history, and unforgettable sights.
Enjoy exploring everything Yokohama has to offer!
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