Exploring Minato Mirai and its surroundings in Yokohama

Most visitors to Yokohama head straight for the port area of Minato Mirai, a kind of urban seaside dotted with an assortment of modern buildings and fun attractions for people of all ages. Among its famous landmarks is the aptly named Landmark Tower and the iconic Cosmos World Ferris Wheel.

The area operated as an important and strategic shipyard until the 1980s, when local authorities decided to develop it as a new center for Yokohama City residents. Over the next decade skyscrapers were erected and the areas image was transformed into a must-see hot spot for young couples, families and tourists alike. At Minato Mirai one will find shopping malls, restaurants, museums, outdoor spaces and even hot springs!

Depending what time of year you choose to visit Minato Mirai there’s a good chance you’ll catch some kind of seasonal event happening in the area.

To name just a few, in spring the main event is the Sakura Festa, when Sakura Dori (Cherry Blossom Avenue) explodes with an array of color. With 102 cherry blossom trees lining the street it’s an impressive sight, one that attracts spectators from across Yokohama and Tokyo. Typically the blossom is out between March and April, although we suggest you follow regional cherry blossom forecasts to get an up-to-date prediction on the bloom dates before visiting.

Sakura Dori in Minato Mirai explodes with color every spring ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Every mid-August the Minato Mirai Bon Odori Dance Festival is held in Rinko Park. Bon Odori events are enjoyed across Japan in the summer, as a way to pay respect to loved ones who have passed on. Despite its somber roots the event is anything but, with lots of dancing, traditional music and festival food. Exact dates differ from year to year so be sure to check online the exact date of the Minato Mirai Bon Odori before visiting.

Winter illuminations line the streets from November through to the New Year ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Come winter-time, the streets of Minato Mirai are beautifully illuminated with Christmas decorations and lights. They usually start around the end of November and stay up well into the New Year. Christmas trees are also erected and the sound of Christmas music can be heard ringing through the streets. Why not wrap up warm and head to Minato Mirai for your next Christmas outing!

With a scale befitting its ambitious name, at 296.3 meters high this is Japan’s second tallest building, and its fourth tallest structure. Completed in 1993 on the edge of Minato Mirai, its design by architect Hugh Stubbins still looks futuristic. Across 70 stories the tower houses a multitude of shops, restaurants, and offices (floors one to 48) as well as the five-star Royal Park Hotel above these. Visitors will probably want to head straight to the Landmark Tower’s crowning glory, the 68th-floor Sky Garden observatory. Here you can enjoy 360-degree views over the Kanto region, with Mt. Fuji visible on clear days.

The view from the Sky Garden at the top of Yokohama Landmark Tower ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Yokohama Landmark Tower

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Nishi-ku Minatomirai 2-2-1

0452225015

Facility, Depends on establi…

View All

Go here

New Otani Inn Yokohama Premium

1-1-7 Sakuragicyo Naka-ku Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

This vast international and domestic sea terminal itself somewhat resembles an ocean-going vessel, with expansive wooden decking and a shape echoing the swell of the sea. A superb place for a stroll while taking in the sea air, Osanbashi offers 360-degree panoramic views over Yokohama Port and the surrounding waters, and also boasts a sizable lawn up on its rooftop square.

Taking a stroll along Osanbashi Terminal ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal

4.5

1619 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Naka-ku Kaigandori 1-1-4

0452112304

[Terminal use] 9:00-21:30[Ro…

View All

Go here

Cruise Stop-Over: Day tour to Tokyo from Yokohama Port

¥48,084

Update date：2024/04/20

Citadines Harbour Front Yokohama

5-2, Nihon Odori Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

One of Yokohama’s most popular historic destinations, with tourists and locals alike, the ‘Akarenga’ began life as a pair of customs warehouses almost a century back. Now renovated inside but retaining their charming early 20th century facades (which really stand out due to the rarity of brickwork constructions in Japan), the buildings house over 40 independent shops with a strong focus on arts and crafts; a concert and theater venue; and a variety of cafes and restaurants. Several Akarenga eateries boast terrace seating with great views out over the harbor and Minato Mirai’s huge Cosmo Clock 21 ferris wheel; the latter stunningly illuminated after sundown. The courtyard between the two buildings also hosts frequent events, ranging from winter ice skating to an annual Oktoberfest beer festival each September.

Akarenga at night ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Naka-ku Shinkou 1-1

0452272002

[Building 1] 10:00-19:00 [B…

View All

Go here

Navios Yokohama

1-1, Shinko-2 Chome, Naka-Ku Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Some new attractions to the area, previously covered by Japan Travel by Navitime, include a Planetarium as well as the Bandai Namco Cross Store.

The Planetaria Yokohama recently opened by Konica Minolta is a spacious dome built in Minato Mirai that allows visitors to explore the wonders of astronomy in jaw-dropping 10K! More on the Planetaria Yokohama here:

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJnews0581-en/

KONIKA MINOLTA PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA

4.0

1 Reviews

Kanagawa Yokohama-shi Nishi-ku Takashima 1-2-5 Yokohama Gate Tower 2F

0452644592

[Weekday]10:30-21:00[Saturda…

View All

Go here

From the creators of modern-day classics such as Gundam and Pacman, the Bandai Namco recently erected their Cross Store in the area. This video game inspired entertainment space houses amusement arcades, an event space, capsule toy area and hobby shop. More on the Bandai Namco Cross Store here:

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJnews0561-en/

バンダイナムコ クロスストア 横浜ワールドポーターズ店

神奈川県横浜市中区新港2-2-1 横浜ワールドポーターズ内

0452649320

View All

Go here

Navios Yokohama

1-1, Shinko-2 Chome, Naka-Ku Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Yokohama’s Chinese enclave, an eight-minute-walk southeast of Minatomirai, is the very largest of Japan’s three main Chinatowns (the other two are located in Kobe and Nagasaki). As with those other two historic port towns, Yokohama Chinatown emerged organically as Chinese merchants chose to make their homes here after Japan opened up to foreign trade towards the end of the 19th century. These days the focus is firmly upon pleasure, courtesy of countless authentic Chinese restaurants. Four colorful and imposing gates, of traditional Chinese design, mark the entrances to these almost always bustlings streets, with a further six to be found inside the district.

One of the four traditional Chinese gates that lead into Yokohama China Town

Yokohama Chinatown

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Naka-ku Yamashitachou

Store/Depends on facility

View All

Go here

Yokohama City, Eat Like a Local in Yokohama

¥26,333

Update date：2024/04/20

Rose Hotel Yokohama

77 Yamashitacho Nakaku Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

A recent addition to Minatomirai is this upmarket shopping and dining complex sitting right on the waterfront. Marine & Walk Yokohama is an entirely different proposition to the retail centers typically found in Japanese cities, in that it succeeds in making shopping a chilled-out experience. Stylish contemporary architecture takes external design cues from its neighbor the historic Akarenga warehouse, while inside on the first floor over a dozen trendy shops (men’s and women’s fashions predominate) are interspersed with several highly relaxing lounge areas offering views out over the sea. Head upstairs to find an eclectic selection of eateries ranging from Spanish tapas to a Snoopy and Peanuts-themed diner.

The entrance to Marine and Walk Yokohama ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Marine&Walk Yokohama (bikeshare Port)

Kanagawa Yokohama-shi Naka-ku Shinko 1-3-1

View All

Go here

This pleasant waterside spot is another site steeped in Yokohama’s international history: it marks the site of the city’s very first quayside where Perry disembarked in 1854. Zou-no-Hana (‘elephant’s nose’) is named for the elephant’s nose-shaped dykes that once stood here. These days visitors come to enjoy unique elephant-shaped soft cream; shopping at denim boutique Blue Blue Yokohama; and simply to hang out while taking in the fresh ocean air.

Zou-no-Hana Park and Terrace overlooks the waterfront, making it popular place to visit ©Yokohama Visitors Guide

Zonohana Terrace

3.5

40 Reviews

Kanagawa Yokohama-shi Naka-ku Kaigan-dori 1-chome

0456610602

View All

Go here

Citadines Harbour Front Yokohama

5-2, Nihon Odori Yokohama Kanagawa

• 
• 
• 
• 
•