YOKOHAMA IS ONE OF JAPAN’S GREATEST CITIES AND THE MOST POPULOUS MUNICIPALITY OF JAPAN. IT IS THE CAPITAL CITY OF KANAGAWA PREFECTURE. IT LIES IN THE CENTER OF JAPAN, ON TOKYO BAY, ALONG THE COASTLINE OF JAPAN’S PACIFIC OCEAN.

ONCE A SLEEPY FISHING VILLAGE, YOKOHAMA IS NOW A CITY OF DREAMS FOR EVERY JAPANESE PERSON. IT IS JAPAN’S LARGEST PORTS AND A COMMERCIAL HUB OF THE GREATER TOKYO AREA. IT IS A CITY LIKE NOWHERE ELSE WHERE ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND HISTORIC SITES BLEND INTO MODERN CULTURE.

IT FIRST OPENED ITS PORT IN 1859. SINCE THEN, YOKOHAMA HAS BEEN EXPORTING JAPANESE SILK AND TEA. THOUGH YOKOHAMA SUFFERED FROM THE GREAT KANTO EARTHQUAKE IN SEPTEMBER 1, 1923, IT WAS MOSTLY RESTORED IN 1929. IT ALSO SUFFERED GREAT DESTRUCTION FROM RAIDS IN 1945 DURING WWII, BURNING 42% OF THE CITY. BUT ONCE AGAIN THE CITY REBUILT AND ADVANCED.

TODAY, YOKOHAMA IS STILL BEING DISCOVERED FOR TOURISM. MANUFACTURING AND SHIPPING CONTINUE TO BE HUGE INDUSTRIES, AND THOUGH IT IS LARGE, THE CITY RETAINS A SMALL-TOWN FEEL. IT HAS THE REPUTATION OF BEING ONE OF JAPAN’S MOST INTERNATIONAL CUTTING -EDGE CITIES. ITS NIGHTLIFE IS A MIX OF IZAKAYA (TRADITIONAL JAPANESE BARS), HIPSTER-COOL BREWPUBS, FUNKY KARAOKE BOXES AND SOULFUL JAZZ CLUBS.

PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION

Cruise ships usually dock at the Osanbashi Terminal. There is a public bus (with WI-FI) service every ten minutes (200 yen) between the passenger terminal and Yokohama Station, which is in downtown. The fare acceptor provides change for ¥1000 bills. The Yokohama Station is the hub for rail trips to Tokyo (about 40 km away) and other destinations.

The Port of Yokohama is centrally located on a pier that stretches into the harbor, offering panoramic views of gorgeous downtown Minato Mirai. It is very close to the Silk Museum and Doll Museum. Within the terminal, there is a free Wi-Fi and several currency exchange machines to conveniently exchange your money. There is also a Visitor’s Information booth where you could get your maps and ask any questions. There are several restaurants and shops as well.

Larger ships usually dock at Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama approximately 15 miles southwest of Tokyo and easily accessible by train. Information here: (Printable Map to take along )

Port Location Map Below

A new terminal in Tokyo capable of handling the worlds largest cruise ships opened last September 2020 beside the Maritime Museum in Odaiba.

Meanwhile, a new facility for cruise ships to Yokohama opened in October 2019 named Hammerhead at Shinko pier directly north of Osanbashi.

TRANSPORTATION IN TOKYO (YOKOHAMA)

If you’re traveling from Tokyo on the way to board a Yokohama cruise, there’s a train from Tokyo Station to Yokohama that only takes 30 to 40 minutes. At the Yokohama cruise terminal, there’s also a subway station called Nihon-Odori that can transport you to many places. In Yokohama, many tourist destinations are just a short walk away from one another. Of course, taxis are popular in both Tokyo and Yokohama as a primary method to get around the city.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO FOR CRUISES TO YOKOHAMA/TOKYO

YOKOHAMA STATION - Many hotels and department stores are located in this area, especially the west exit vicinity a mega terminal where many subway and train lines are connected. Visitors can easily access to a wide variety of food stores and boutiques of popular fashion brands.

MINATO MIRAI 21 -Here you can find Yokohama’s popular tourist spots. Yokohama Landmark Tower, 296 meter sky scraper with a shopping complex, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, a complex building where you can enjoy shopping and dining of every kind and, amusement facilities which offer entertainment day and night, just to mention a few. Easy walking access from spot to spot makes the area a popular venue. It is very pretty at daytime but stunning at night

YAMASHITA PARK, KANNAI - It is one of the most popular and best loved areas in Yokohama where you can experience the distinctive atmosphere and history of this harbor town. A number of antique historic pieces of architecture in western style which are symbols of the Yokohama culture, restaurants with a long tradition, and classy hotels distinguish the area.

YOKOHAMA CHINATOWN -Among countless Chinatowns all over the world, Yokohama Chinatown is one of the largest and the best with as many as approximately 500 Chinese restaurants, Chinese grocery stores and plenty of other shops standing side by side on the streets. The year around bustling streets proves the fun-filled excitement of the town.

YOKOHAMA MUSEUM OF ART - The Yokohama Museum of Art has been exhibiting incredible ancient and modern art since opening in 1989. It’s an iconic attraction in Yokohama for art lovers, plus it includes a rare selection of works by Monet, Picasso, and Warhol. It’s on the smaller side for a museum, so you can take your time and still see almost everything.

MOTOMACHI, YAMATE -Being a trendsetting city of its local fashion brands, Motomachi represents Yokohama as a fashion-oriented region. The classical western residential area in Yamate where foreigners first settled 150 years ago when the port opened, is a must-see. It is really delightful to walk around, browse the shops.

HONMOKU, NEGISHI -Although the town redevelopment altered the landscape, here you can still feel the American atmosphere of a region once occupied by a U.S. military base. A visit to Sankeien, a Japanese garden with historic architecture where you can enjoy the seasonal changes in the scenery, is also recommended.

SANKEIEN GARDEN - The Sankeien Garden is a must-experience destination for visitors on a cruise from Yokohama, Japan. It’s been open to the public for over 100 years, and every season at the gardens evokes a different emotion and variety of plant life in bloom. Spring is famous for its cherry blossoms, while late February is known for plum blossoms signaling the end of winter. Nature lovers of all ages can learn the history of the garden on a free guided tour, enjoying the tranquility and historic significance it holds for the people of Yokohama.

KIRIN BEER FACTORY TOUR - The Kirin Brewery Company, one of Japan's four leading beer breweries, was founded in Yokohama, a city that played a leading role in Japan's adoption of beer from the West. It is possible for tourists to visit the Kirin Beer Factory in Yokohama and participate in free brewery tours, which offer a glimpse into the brewing facilities and include some beer tasting.

Check this link for the tour schedule and hours, Kirin Brewery tours  last about 80 minutes and lead along a gallery with displays regarding the history of beer and Kirin and with views of fermentation tanks and the canning and bottling areas. Tours are usually conducted in Japanese, but an English guide may also be available. The last twenty minutes of the tour consist of a free tasting, where visitors are given a couple of beers and some snacks.

GET OUT OF TOWN

To get from the new cruise terminal in Yokohoma to Tokyo, you can walk to the closest station of the Minato Mirai Line (Bashamichi for Hammerhead and Nihon-Odori for Osanbashi). From there, you can ride all the way to Shibuya station (40 minutes) or you can transfer at Yokohama station onto a JR Tokaido Line train that takes you to Tokyo station (25 minutes).

Check here for Tokyo Port Information website.

Check here for Yokohama Port Information.

Check here for other Japanese Ports with maps and PDF guides.

TOKYO IMPERIAL PALACE - The Emperor of Japan calls the Tokyo Imperial Palace home, so many parts of this stunning property do not accommodate tourists. However, you can spend hours exploring the palace’s beautiful gardens and cherry blossoms, or discover the history of the palace on a guided tour. Kitanomaru Park is famous, where cherry blossoms cover the area in the spring and couples rent boats to paddle the palace moat. You’ll feel transported to another time here.

KAMAKURA - For a quick getaway, head to the seaside town of Kamakura for a relaxing few days on the coast south of Tokyo. Only an hour from Tokyo, Kamakura has a variety of traditional Shinto temples and Buddhist shrines, including a 42-foot tall bronze seated Buddha at the temple of Kōtoku-in. You’ll be stunned as you walk through the lush bamboo garden of Hokokuji, where you can also enjoy a traditional matcha tea ceremony.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

The metro system in Tokyo is very extensive, color coded and stations are given a letter and number to make it easier to find on a map. Fares depend on distance traveled and tickets can be purchased from ticket machines. There are two main metro systems (Tokyo Metro and Toei) plus the JR rail network. A one day pass on the Tokyo metro is ¥600 and a single fare starts at ¥170 for one stop. A combined ticket for both metro systems is available for ¥900 (best option). The pass is valid on all Tokyo metro lines for 24 hours from the time the ticket is used. A combo ticket valid on all three rail systems and buses is ¥1590. Please be aware that the ticket will become invalid if not used on the day of purchase. Since the stations are large, find an exit map to locate your exit and to orient yourself when you come to the surface.

If staying for a couple of days, consider getting a prepaid card Suica or Pasmo (¥1000 minimum, includes ¥500 deposit). Though issued by different operators (JR for Suica and Tokyo Metro for Pasmo), both are valid on bus, JR Rail and both subway systems. Cards are also accepted at many vending machines, convenience stores and taxis. The deposit and remaining balance is refundable at any service center less a ¥220 processing fee.

If flying into Narita, foreigners can get a discounted combined Narita Express N'EX Tokyo round trip ticket for ¥4000.

Check the Tokyo Metro here.

Check and print your Tokyo Subway Map here.

If travelling with luggage, consider having it delivered separately. This service is available at both the airport and cruise terminals.  Check your guide here.

TO/FROM AIRPORT

There are two international airports for Tokyo: Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Transportation information is available from their official Narita- airport websites.

Guide for all the different rail options here .

Airport Limousine - private transfer service here .

HOTELS

Tokyo is easy to get around with the trains and metro. Staying in central Tokyo is very convenient. Search hotels in Tokyo here

Search hotels in Yokohama here

YOKOHAMA’S WEATHER

Situated in the middle of the Japanese Islands on the Pacific Coast, Yokohama has a comparatively mild climate. The average temperature in Yokohama is 16 degrees centigrade with a pleasant weather in spring and autumn, high temperature and high humidity in summer, and a mild climate and less snow in winter.

WHAT TO EAT

Yokohama is the birthplace of some of Japan’s best foods. Beer was first introduced to Japan in Yokohama, and the city has a thriving craft beer scene. Don’t leave Yokohama without trying some of the Chinese food at Japan’s largest Chinatown, where dumplings and sesame balls called goma-dango are must-try dishes.

Yokohama is a foodie’s paradise where risk-taking with food yields delicious results. Thanks to Yokohama’s status as a bustling port city, Western influence is evident in certain local dishes like Napolitan spaghetti, which originated in Yokohama as a way to imitate the flavors of Western-style spaghetti. You can also try gyunabe, a beef hotpot where the beef is dipped in raw egg before it’s cooked and served with steamed vegetables

SHOPPING- WHERE TO BUY

Near the cruise port, you’ll find souvenir stands and a couple of restaurants. You’ll have better luck shopping in Yokohama or during your stint in Tokyo nearby. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a set of gigantic warehouses on the Yokohama Bay, perfect for strolling the waterfront and shopping. There are hundreds of stores inside filled with locally-made items, coffee shops, and conventional department stores for anything you might need during your time in Japa

MOTOMACHI STREET - a famous shopping district in Yokohama, is decorated by an arch with a sculpture of a phoenix. This is the place in Yokohama for antique shopping, decor, jewelry, and upscale fashions. Whether you’re doing some serious retail therapy or just window shopping, Motomachi Street makes for a charming and quiet stroll.

CHINATOWN - Yokohama is famous for its Chinatown, where there are over 500 restaurants and shops to explore. It’s Japan’s largest Chinatown and one of the busiest sights in Yokohama. Enjoy ramen, dim sum, and other classic Chinese dishes while you’re exploring this bustling district.

LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS

Japan's currency is the Yen (¥ JPY) and foreign currencies are typically not accepted. You can find currency exchange at post offices. The majority of ATM's in Japan DO NOT accept foreign bank cards. The exception are ATM's at 7-11 and Lawson convenience stores and at the post office. Citibank and Aeon bank ATM's may also accept foreign cards. Make sure you do the correct conversion for the amount you want to take out and insert your card the correct way.

Tipping is, in general, a no-no while in Japan

Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in North America or Europe so make sure you have cash on hand. Typically, hotels and large department stores will accept cards but not smaller shops and restaurants.