Hotels in Yokohama

Yokohama: Port City That Shaped Modern Japan

Yokohama opened to foreign trade in 1859, making it one of Japan's first international ports. The city sits on Tokyo Bay, 30 km south of central Tokyo, and holds roughly 3.8 million residents — Japan's second-largest city. Its international legacy survives in Minato Mirai 21, a waterfront district where the 296-metre Landmark Tower anchors a skyline built on reclaimed land, and in Yamate, a hillside neighbourhood of Victorian-era Western-style residences dating to the Meiji period.

Where to Stay

Hotels concentrate near Sakuragicho and Kannai stations on the JR Negishi Line, both within walking distance of the waterfront. Chinatown — the largest in Japan, with over 600 restaurants and shops along Chukagai Odori — sits five minutes east of Kannai. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, a restored 1911 customs facility, anchors the northern waterfront and draws weekend markets year-round.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Direct trains run from Shinjuku (Shonan-Shinjuku Line, ~30 min) and Shibuya (~25 min); fares are roughly ¥580 from central Tokyo.
• Getting around: The Minato Mirai Line connects Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai in eight minutes.
• Best time to visit: Spring (late March–April) for cherry blossoms along the Ōoka River; November for mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Currency: Cash remains common in smaller restaurants and market stalls throughout Chinatown.