Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city, a working port 30 minutes from central Tokyo with Japan’s largest Chinatown, a beautiful waterfront district, excellent ramen, and a cosmopolitan character that developed from the city’s role as Japan’s first internationally open port in 1859. It makes one of the best Tokyo day trips and is often included in extended Japan itineraries as an easy half-day addition.
Quick Answer: Yokohama: Japan’s second-largest city, 30 minutes from Tokyo by JR Tokaido Line from Shinagawa (480 yen). Japan’s largest Chinatown, Minato Mirai waterfront, Cup Noodles Museum, and Sankeien Garden. Allow half a day for the main areas or a full day with Sankeien. See the Tokyo to Yokohama guide for train options.
Getting to Yokohama from Tokyo
See the full Tokyo-to-Yokohama guide for all transport options. The fastest and most convenient is:
- JR Tokaido Line from Shinagawa to Yokohama: 28 minutes, 480 yen. Covered by the JR Pass guide
- Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya to Yokohama Station: 25 minutes, 280 yen
- JR Keihin-Tohoku Line from Tokyo Station to Sakuragicho: 38 minutes, 550 yen. Useful for heading directly to Minato Mirai
What to Do in Yokohama
Chinatown (Chukagai)
Japan’s largest Chinatown was established when Yokohama opened as a treaty port in 1859. The Kantei-byo Temple (a Chinese-style shrine in red and gold dedicated to Guan Yu) and the main Chukagai-dori street, lined with Chinese restaurants, food stalls, and shops. Best at lunch for dim sum and the pork buns (nikuman) sold hot from shop windows.
Minato Mirai 21
Yokohama’s showpiece waterfront redevelopment on reclaimed land. The Landmark Tower (296 metres) has a Sky Garden observation deck on the 69th floor (1,000 yen, excellent views). The Cosmo Clock 21Ferriss wheel (100 metres tall) is a landmark. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga) is a pair of restored late Meiji-era red-brick buildings now home to restaurants, cafes, and shops with harbour views.
Cup Noodles Museum
The museum dedicated to instant noodles and their inventor, Momofuku Ando, is one of Japan’s most entertaining museums, regardless of age. The main attraction is the My Cup Noodles Factory,ory where visitors design and fill their own Cup Noodles to take home—entry: 500 yen for the museum, 400 yen additional for the factory. Book the factory slot in advance on weekends. In Minato Mirai, walking distance from Landmark Tower.
Sankeien Garden
A traditional Japanese landscape garden in the Honmoku area, containing 17 historical buildings relocated from around Japan, including farmhouses, tea ceremony houses, and pagodas. Considered one of the finest traditional gardens in the Tokyo-Yokohama area. Best in cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid-November). 20 minutes from Yokohama Station by bus—entry: 700 yen.
Yamashita Park and Marine Tower
Yamashita Park is a riverside park along the harbour offering views of Yokohama Bay Bridge and the historic Hikawa Maru ocean liner (moored as a museum ship). The Marine Tower (106 metres) has observation decks with 360-degree views. The walk from Chinatown to Yamashita Park along the waterfront is one of the most pleasant in Yokohama.
Yokohama Museum of Art
A significant modern art museum in Minato Mirai with a collection ranging from 19th-century European art to Japanese contemporary. The building by Kenzo Tange is impressive. Check for temporary exhibitions as these often contain the most interesting content.
What to Eat in Yokohama
Yokohama has several dishes associated specifically with the city:
Yokohama Ramen (Ie-kei): The Ie-kei style is a Yokohama invention: thick tonkotsu-soy broth with thick noodles, chashu pork, spinach, and nori. The original Yoshimuraya restaurant in the Nishi-ku area is the founding restaurant of this style. See the ramen guide for a broader context on Japanese ramen.
Shumai (steamed dumplings): Yokohama’s Chinatown has the best shumai in Japan. The Kiyoken brand’s shumai are sold at the station and throughout the city as the defining Yokohama food souvenir.
Chinese food: The Chinatown restaurants are genuinely good, not tourist-oriented Chinese food. Dim sum at lunch is the best value and the most authentic.
How to Combine Yokohama with Kamakura
Yokohama and Kamakura guides are on the same JR Yokosuka Line, making it natural to combine them in a single day: Yokohama for the morning (Chinatown and Minato Mirai), then the JR Yokosuka Line from Yokohama Station to Kamakura in the afternoon (25 minutes, 360 yen). See the Tokyo-to-Yokohama guide and the Tokyo-to-Kamakura guide.
Nearby Guides
- Tokyo to Yokohama guide
- Kamakura guide
- Enoshima guide
- Tokyo day trips
- Tokyo 5-day itinerary
- ramen guide
- JR Pass guide
- Best places to visit in Japan
FAQ
Is Yokohama worth visiting from Tokyo?
Yes. The 28-minute JR journey from Shinagawa makes Yokohama one of the easiest Tokyo day trips. The Chinatown is the finest in Japan, and Minato Mirai is a genuinely impressive waterfront. Even a half-day gives a complete Yokohama experience. See the Tokyo to Yokohama guide.
How much time do I need in Yokohama?
Half-day: Chinatown for lunch and Minato Mirai (Landmark Tower and Red Brick Warehouse) in the afternoon. Full day: add Sankeien Garden, the Cup Noodles Museum, and a walk along Yamashita Park. The full day is particularly good in the cherry blossom or autumn foliage season, when Sankeien Garden is at its best.
Can I combine Yokohama, Kamakura, and Enoshima in one day?
Yes, it’s a packed full-day trip. Take the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Tokyo (Shibuya) to Yokohama, spend the morning in Chinatown, then take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura, and the Enoden tram to Enoshima. Return to Tokyo from Katase-Enoshima on the Odakyu Line—a long but very full day.
