Yokohama 10-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Sankei-en Park

   (三渓園). 35 min by bus from Yokohama Stn. SE of Naka Ward, this is a traditional style of park and known as Teien (lit. "set park"). Opened in 1906, this large park (17,5000 ft²) has many Japanese traditional buildings, 13 of which have been designated as national heritages.

2. Stop 2 · 45 min walk

   Yamashita Park

   You can see the whole port of Yokohama and there's a lot of greenery. A short walk from Motomachi-Chinatown Stn (元町・中華街駅), JR Ishikawachō station (JR石川駅), JR Kannai station (JR関内駅).

3. Stop 3 · 82 min walk

   Kishine Park

   A large park 9 min away from Yokohama Stn, this is strictly for the locals most of the year, but very popular during cherry blossom season.

4. Stop 4 · 99 min walk

   Kamoike Park

   True to the name, "Duck Lake Park" has a large lake, with ducks during the day and fireflies often visible at night in the rainy season.

5. Stop 5 · 291 min walk

   Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Park

   The laboratory of bacteriologist Hideyo Noguchi, who discovered the bacteria that causes syphilis and worked on yellow fever vaccines, and whose face adorns the ¥1000 note. The original building was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the present structure dates from 1997.

6. Stop 6 · 221 min walk

   Kikuna Sakurayama Park

   A small park called "carbon yama" by the locals with many trees all along the streets. If you go to there in spring, you can see beautiful deep pink double-flowered cherry trees called "yae-zakura" in Japanese. Yae-zakura is powerful rather than fine. The park is a popular place for cherry blossom flower viewing. In the summer, there are swimming pools. There is a pool for children, a 25-m pool and a running water pool.

Eat · Shitateya: Tiny local seafood eatery. Try the deep-fried oysters (kaki furai).

1. Stop 1

   Yokohama History Museum

   This museum introduces Yokohama's history from Primary period to Modern period. Next to the museum, there are excavations of Yayoi period.

2. Stop 2 · 158 min walk

   Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama

   Museum dedicated to the creation of cup noodles by Momofuku Ando. Exhibits about the history of instant noodles. You can make your own custom designed cup noodles at the museum (¥300) - get a numbered ticket as soon as you enter as there is a daily quota. Kids activities include making chicken ramen in a test kitchen by hand (¥300-500) and an interactive park (¥300). There is a food hall exhibiting international noodle dishes on the 4th floor (¥300/half size servings).

3. Stop 3 · 16 min walk

   Anpanman Children's Museum

   Museum showcasing the popular children's TV and book character Anpanman. Children can play with many hands-on exhibits and meet Anpanman and friends. You can buy anpan (bean-jam filled pastry) and many goods in the gift shop.

4. Stop 4 · 62 min walk

   Equine Museum of Japan

   Exhibits on the history of horsemanship in Japan and the ecology and physiology of horses. There are also special events to interact with horses.

5. Stop 5

   Kanagawa Museum of Modern Literature

   Located in Harbor View Park, this museum specializes in modern Japanese literature. The museum holds large-scale exhibitions several times a year and collects materials on various authors. The museum also has a reading room where visitors can obtain a variety of materials.

6. Stop 6

   Yokohama Museum of Art

   Yokohama Museum of Art is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

Eat · Le Sucre: Pseudo-French bakery well known for its cheesecakes.

1. Stop 1

   Moro-oka Kumano Shrine

   Okurayama area. Take Tokyu-Toyoko Line from Yokohama Stn, about 10 min. Then, 7 min walk from Okurayama Stn. This is a famous shrine in Yokohama. Its god is a bird which has three legs. This bird seems like the symbol of the soccer teams of Japan. Therefore, as well as many soccer fans, even Japanese soccer players visit here and pray for the victory of their team. Of course, many other people pay the first visit of the year every year.

2. Stop 2 · 267 min walk

   Shōmyō Temple

   It is a temple built by Hojo Sanetoki in 1258. It has developed into Kamakura Period. It is specified for the historic site in Japan. There is a beautiful garden. A lot of cherry blossoms bloom in spring. Moreover, precincts are illuminated at fireworks of summer and the New Year and it is very beautiful.

3. Stop 3 · 247 min walk

   Soujiji

   Buddhist order of Sōtō, Zen temple.

4. Stop 4 · 126 min walk

   Kamoi Sugiyama Shrine

   Small neighborhood Shinto shrine up on a hillside.

5. Stop 5 · 80 min walk

   Kikuna Shrine

   A small Shinto shrine in the middle of the Kikuna neighbourhood. In the autumn, the shrine holds a Bon festival honoring ancestors. There are regular festival activities such as a Bon dance as well as food, floats, and amusement stalls.

Eat · Italian Bar BASIL: Though a stand-bar by nature, a great place to take in a nicely paced meal if you can get a seat. Lots of choices (izakaya-style portions) but focuses on a few ingredients, making for a refreshing take on the all-too-common Italian fare in Japan.

1. Stop 1

   Yokohama Stadium

   Located in Naka ward. A short walk from Chinatown, Kannai station, or Nihon-ōdōri station, this is probably one of the most fun places to watch a baseball game in Japan. Known as the BayStars Stadium, the Yokohama Baseball Team of the Central League, the Stadium itself was built on the remains of the Cricket Ballpark of the last century for the British delegation.

2. Stop 2 · 107 min walk

   Nissan Stadium

   This is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in Japan. The final match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup was held here. This is a home ground of J league soccer teams, Yokohama F. Marinos and Yokohama FC. There are also facilities such as soccer fields, skateboard parks and basketball courts are available for free to the public. It is accessible from Kozukue or Shin-Yokohama stations.

3. Stop 3 · 17 min walk

   Yokohama Arena

   This is the biggest arena in Japan. Many famous musicians have concerts there. If you want to go to those concerts, you need to buy the tickets in advance. There are also flea markets here sometimes. In this case, you don't need any tickets or admission. Check the official website for the detailed schedule

4. Stop 4 · 25 min walk

   Kanagawa Budokan

   Kendo (Japanese fencing), judo and archery tournaments.

Eat · Kua'Aina: Hawaiian-style burgers. Big menu with standard and gourmet burgers, as well as some American-style sandwiches.

1. Stop 1

   Chinatown

   Located next to Motomachi-Chinatown (romanized as Motomachi-Chūkagai) station, and a short walk from Ishikawachō station on the Negishi Line, Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. These days it's unabashedly touristy, but there are plenty of Chinese grocery stores and places to buy a cheap cheongsam dress or jade knick-knacks.

2. Stop 2 · 9 min walk

   Yamate

   This is the neighborhood where foreigners settled and still settle. You can make a pleasant walk from the Italian garden near Ishikawachō station to the French park near Motomachi-Chūkagai station. The walk will take you along some nice houses that were previously owned by rich foreigners. Nowadays, these houses can be visited freely. A nice cake shop can be found here as well.

Eat · Tori Dori: Yakitori and other izakaya fare, as well as drink specials on weeknights (around ¥200) and all-you-can-drink (¥600) available for 4 or more people (a rarity for yakitori restaurants). No English menu, however knowledge of yakitori lingo should suffice.

1. Stop 1

   Anniversaire Hills Yokohama

   It is a hall for wedding ceremonies. See wedding ceremonies and bless the bride and groom with not only their family or friends but also people who happen to be passing by. When you visit there at night, you can see illuminations.

2. Stop 2 · 74 min walk

   Okurayama Memorial Hall

   A beautiful building with a hall, gallery, and assembly rooms. It is on the grounds of a park with Japanese apricot trees worth seeing. Local concerts are sometimes held at the hall.

Eat · Shabu-Shabu Buffet Syabu-Yo: While most all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurants will typically serve pork, this one serves pork and beef for ¥2079. Vegetables, desserts, and a full range of drinks are set out buffet-style while staff keeps the meat coming.

1. Stop 1

   Marine Tower

   Considered by some to be the tallest on-land lighthouse in the world. Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yokohama's port opening. In clear conditions, visitors can see Mount Fuji from the 100-metre high observation deck.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Hikawa Maru

   This passenger liner made 238 voyages across the Pacific to Seattle and Vancouver between 1930 and 1960, and served as a hospital ship during World War II. The ship is also used for movie and TV location shooting including the 1997 film Moonlight Serenade and the 2005 NHK drama Haru to Natsu.

3. Stop 3 · 26 min walk

   Landmark Tower

   The Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan until the construction of Abeno Harukas in Osaka. It continues to be the tallest in Yokohama. The observation platform on the 69th floor provides good views all the way to Tokyo and Mt. Fuji can be seen on clear days. The elevators are said to be the fastest in Japan. For a classier experience, try the cocktail lounge on the 70th floor (drinks ¥1000+ each) or eat dinner on the 68th (see below).

4. Stop 4 · 20 min walk

   Ōsanbashi Pier

   Ōsanbashi Pier is the main international pier at the Port of Yokohama where cruise ships dock. Architecturally renovated with an abstract modern style in 2002, it provides a view of the Minato Mirai skyline. The rooftop garden is open to public and is very beautiful, especially during sunset.

5. Stop 5 · 152 min walk

   Keiō University - Hiyoshi Campus

   A campus of the oldest university in Japan. It is known for its campus' towering maidenhair trees, turning a lovely yellow in the fall. The Hiyoshi tunnels are underneath.

6. Stop 6

   Hiyoshi Tunnels

   These tunnels were the headquarters of Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Naval commanders from these tunnels ordered Kamikaze attacks, directed ground battles such as the Battle of Okinawa, and naval engagements like the Battle of Leyte Gulf during the later years of World War II. There are many rooms. The university allows visits once per month.

Eat · Tinun: Classier version of the local Thai restaurant chain. Stir-fried noodles are a must.

1. Stop 1

   Tokyo

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Hachioji

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Oimachi

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.

1. Stop 1

   Hachioji

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

2. Stop 2

   Oimachi

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

3. Stop 3

   Kawasaki

   Listed as a next stop from Yokohama. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

Eat · Eat near the station before you leave. Plan dinner back in Yokohama.

1. Stop 1

   Yokohama Cosmo World

   Across the water from Minato Mirai 21, is a small amusement park which boasts the Cosmo Clock 21, a 112.5-m Ferris wheel which doubles as "the world's largest clock" (the 60 arms double as second hands). The park also has two roller coasters, a log flume ride and several other attractions. Free but rides ¥500-700 each.

2. Stop 2

   Manyou Club

   It is near the Yokohama Cosmo World in Minato Mirai 21. It is a spa resort. There are many kinds of baths to try while making the rounds. At night, you can see the lights of Yokohama from a foot bath on the roof. You can enjoy and relax all day, because there are beauty salons, massages, and restaurants in this urban resort. ¥2620 (24/7).

3. Stop 3

   Hakkeijima Seaparadise

   This large amusement park with aquarium, various attractions and shops was opened in 1993. Get off at Seaside line "Hakkeijima" station. There is an area called "Dolphin Fantasy" that exhibits dolphins, including a white one, with a 360° view. You can touch some animals like penguins.

4. Stop 4

   Zoo Nogeyama

   Noge area, and 15 min from JR Sakuragi-cho Stn or Yokohama subway line on foot or you can use a city bus from Sakuragi-cho Stn. There are 100 kinds of animals in it including reptiles, birds, and mammals, and there is a petting zoo for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice. 09:00-16:30. Free.

Eat · Go back to a place that already worked.