Yokohama
JapanCfa
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Why visit
Minato Mirai 21, the gleaming bayfront with the Landmark Tower (one of Japan's tallest), Cosmo World Ferris wheel, and the Cup Noodles Museum, is the obvious draw. Walk the Yamashita Park promenade past the historic Hikawa Maru ocean liner, browse the lively Yokohama Chinatown (the largest in Japan with 600+ restaurants), and visit the Sankeien Garden, a relocated collection of historic buildings from across Japan in a beautifully landscaped setting. The Yokohama Museum of Art, the Cupnoodles Museum, and the Ramen Museum (a basement diorama of 1958 Tokyo with regional ramen stalls) reward longer stays. Try iekei ramen (Yokohama-style with thick pork-soy broth) and Chinese xiaolongbao in Chinatown.
When to avoid
Yokohama is technically in Greater Tokyo and the train commute can be packed at rush hour. Many visitors do Yokohama as a half-day trip from Tokyo, plan a full day or overnight to actually slow down. Cherry blossom and Golden Week (late April to early May) bring overwhelming crowds. Typhoons (August to October) hit hard. Earthquake risk. Learn the basic drop-cover-hold protocol. Don't tip in restaurants. Cash is still useful despite Japan's payment modernization, carry yen.
