Yokohama

Introduction

Yokohama’s development began after Japan signed the Treaty of Peace and Amity with the United States in 1854, followed by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858, which led to the decision to open Kanagawa Port.

Then, on July 1, 1859, Yokohama Port officially opened, and Western culture and technology began to enter Japan more actively. This helped Yokohama grow into an international city.

Yokohama sightseeing works best as an afternoon or evening plan rather than a morning plan. From Shibuya Station, you can take the Tokyu Toyoko Line (one way 310 yen) or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line Rapid (one way 410 yen). Fares are also Shinagawa Station–Yokohama Station: one way 320 yen and Tokyo Station–Yokohama Station: one way 490 yen, so it is a good idea to choose a transport pass that fits your route.

Yokohama route-optimized transport passes

1) Tokyu Minatomirai Pass

東急みなとみらいパス

• Round trip from any Tokyu Line station to Yokohama Station + unlimited rides on the Minatomirai Line for 1 day
• 920 yen when departing from Shibuya, Gotanda, Daikanyama, or Meguro
• Fare table for other sections.pdf
• The segment between your departure station and Yokohama Station is round trip only, while the Minatomirai Line (Yokohama–Motomachi-Chukagai) is unlimited rides
• If you get off at a different Tokyu Line station than the one you purchased from, an extra fare may apply
• “Example 1” Shibuya → Yokohama → get off at Jiyugaoka: the Jiyugaoka → Shibuya segment requires a separate fare
• “Example 2” Jiyugaoka → Yokohama → get off at Shibuya: an additional fare applies, so you must show the pass to station staff
• Shibuya–Yokohama round trip: 640 yen / Minatomirai Line one ride: 200–230 yen, so it is worth it if you ride 2 times or more

2) Keikyu Minatomirai Pass

京急みなとみらいパス

• Only available for users with a physical PASMO card
• Not available with mobile PASMO or iPhone PASMO
• Round trip from your departure station to Yokohama + unlimited rides on the Minatomirai Line for 1 day
• 930 yen when departing from Shinagawa

3) Minatomirai Line 1-Day Ticket

• Adult 460 yen / Child 230 yen
• Worth it if you ride 3 times or more
• For example, if you plan to travel from Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai and then sightsee on foot back to Minatomirai Station, 2 rides may be enough, so choose based on your itinerary

Exclusive TourCast Tips!

Kamakura + Yokohama in one day

If you visit Kamakura and, excluding Enoshima, see the railroad crossing at Kamakura High School (a Slam Dunk filming spot) and the Great Buddha, you can cover it as a morning plan.

It is efficient to go to Yokohama Station using the Tokyu or Keikyu Minatomirai Pass, then buy a separate ticket for Yokohama Station → Kamakura Station (one way 360 yen), travel by Enoden, and return to Yokohama to finish with Minatomirai Line sightseeing.

• Kamakura Station → Kamakurakokomae Station: 260 yen
• Kamakurakokomae → Hase Station: 220 yen
• Hase → Kamakura Station: 200 yen

It is cheaper to buy single fares each time than to use the Enoden 1-day pass (800 yen), so this is a good option for a short itinerary.

You can also try the Shonan Monorail for a fun experience. From Yokohama Station, go to Ofuna Station (one way 320 yen), then take the Shonan Monorail to Shonan-Enoshima Station.

• Ofuna → Shonan-Enoshima: 320 yen
• Enoshima → Kamakurakokomae: 200 yen
• Kamakurakokomae → Hase: 220 yen
• Hase → Kamakura: 200 yen

Recommended Yokohama route

Yokohama Station → Motomachi-Chukagai Station → Motomachi Shopping Street → Chinatown → Yamashita Park → Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal → Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse → Cup Noodles Museum → Yokohama Cosmo World → Nippon Maru → Yokohama Landmark Tower → Minatomirai Station → Yokohama Station

1) Motomachi Shopping Street

Located between Yamate (a former foreign settlement area) and Kannai (a business district), this is a historic shopping street that began with the port opening.
Japan’s first bakery, 'Uchiki Pan', is still operating today.

2) Chinatown

This area was formed by Chinese merchants who arrived after the port opened, and today it is the largest Chinatown in Japan.
It is home to 'Kanteibyo (関帝廟)', which enshrines Guan Yu, a deity believed to bring business success. It is much larger than Incheon Chinatown.

3) Yamashita Park

A park created as part of the reconstruction projects after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, with the Hikawa Maru ship museum.

4) Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal

A port where large cruise ships arrive, and a popular date course for its rooftop deck.

5) Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Warehouses built with red bricks in the early 20th century, now used as an exhibition space (Building 1) and commercial facilities (Building 2).

6) Cup Noodles Museum

An interactive museum where you can learn about the history of instant noodles and make your own original cup noodles.
This is different from the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, so be careful about the location.

• Business hours: 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00)
• Closed: Every Tuesday, year-end and New Year holidays
• Admission: Adults 500 yen, free for high school students and younger
• Chicken Ramen Factory: 1,000 yen (junior high school and older), 600 yen (elementary school)
• My Cup Noodles Factory: 500 yen per cup
• Cup Noodles Park: 500 yen per session (30 minutes)

7) Yokohama Cosmo World

Free entry to the park, and you pay per ride.
The main attractions are the “underground roller coaster” 'Vanish' (900 yen) and the giant Ferris wheel (1,000 yen).

8) Nippon Maru Memorial Park

Japanese pronunciation: Nippon Maru

The training ship 'Nippon Maru', built in 1930, is on display, and the area is a great place for a walk with the waterfront green park.
Next to the ship is the Yokohama Port Museum, with exhibitions about ships and ports around the world.

• Business hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Closed: Every Monday (or the next day if Monday is a public holiday), year-end and New Year holidays
• Admission: Memorial Park free / Museum: Adults 800 yen, Students 300 yen

9) Yokohama Landmark Tower

A top landmark in Yokohama, with a spectacular night view from the Sky Garden Observatory on the 69th floor.

• Business hours: 10:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30); until 22:00 on weekends and the day before public holidays
• Closed: Irregular
• Admission: Adults 1,000 yen / Students 500 yen

Anpanman Children’s Museum

• Although it is called a children’s museum, it is a place that adults who grew up watching Anpanman can also enjoy. There are museums not only in Yokohama, but also in Fukuoka, Kobe, Nagoya, and Sendai.

• Since it is a children’s museum, the admission fee is the same for both adults and children from age 1 and up.

• If you plan to visit the Anpanman Museum, entry is only allowed until 4:00 PM, so it is best to go right after arriving in Yokohama, then follow the recommended route above.

  • Business hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry until 16:00)

  • Closed: Irregular
  • Admission: 2,200–2,600 yen (ages 1 and up)