Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [156]
Although Yokohama is unquestionably Japanese, foreign influence is in its blood. Among Yokohama’s firsts-in-Japan: a daily newspaper, gaslamps and a train terminus (connected to Shimbashi, in Tokyo).
The Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 destroyed much of the city, with the rubble used to reclaim more land, including Yamashita-kōen. The city was devastated yet again in WWII air raids; occupation forces were initially based here but later moved down the coast to Yokosuka. The late 20th century saw redevelopment of the harbour area, including some fancy skyscrapers, and in 2002 Yokohama hosted the finals of the FIFA World Cup. In 2009 the city marked 150 years since it opened as a treaty port with a host of events including the World Table Tennis Championships and the reopening of Marine Tower and the Zō-no-Hana quay area.
Orientation
Central Yokohama sits on the southern side of the western part of Tokyo-wan (here called Yokohama-wan). Most of the sights are within about 1km of the water, near Sakuragi-chō, Kannai and Ishikawa-chō Stations on the JR Negishi line, or Minato Mirai or Motomachi-Chūkagai Stations on the Minato Mirai line.
Information
Information about Yokohama is available on the web at www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/tourism.
Animi (222-3316; 4-2-7 Minato Mirai; per hr ¥100; 10am-6pm) Internet access. Walk 15 minutes northwest of Minato Mirai 21 Station.
Chinatown 80 Information Center (662-1252; Honcho-dōri; 10am-10pm) For the latest goings-on in Chinatown, the centre is a few blocks from the Motomachi subway station.
Citibank (24hr) An international ATM is outside the western exit of Yokohama Station, on the 2nd floor of the First Building, to the left of the Yokohama Bay Sheraton.
Minato Mirai 21 Information Center (211-0111; 1-1-62 Sakuragi-chō; 9am-7pm) English speakers here can provide a wealth of information, including the free Yokohama Visitors’ Map or the more detailed Yokohama Guide Book. It’s outside the northern exit of Sakuragi-chō Station.
No 1 Travel (231-0751; Isezaki-chō Royal Bldg, 5-127-13 Isezaki-chō; 10am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, to 4.30pm Sat) For discount international travel; about 10 blocks southwest of Kannai Station at Isezaki Shopping Centre.
Post office A block east of Sakuragi-chō Station, with foreign ATM service.
Yokohama Station Tourist Information Center (441-7300; 2-16-1 Takashima; 9am-7pm) This small booth is in the east–west corridor.
Sights & Activities
MINATO MIRAI 21
This district of man-made islands (Sakuragi-chō, Minato Mirai, Bashamichi) used to be shipping docks, but the last two decades have transformed them into a metropolis-of-the-future (‘Minato Mirai’ means ‘port future’), with a buzzing street scene by day and glowing towers by night (eg Landmark Tower and the three-towered Queens Sq). In addition to the attractions listed here, there’s one of the world’s largest convention complexes, several hotels and lots of shopping and dining options.
The following sights are arranged as a possible walking tour.
Landmark Tower
Japan’s tallest building (70 storeys, 296m) has one of the world’s fastest lifts (45km/h). The Landmark Tower Sky Garden (222-5030; 2-2-1-1 Minato Mirai; adult/child/senior & student ¥1000/500/800; 10am-9pm Sep-Jun, to 10pm Sat, to 10pm 19 Jul-31 Aug; Minato Mirai) observatory is on the 69th floor; on clear days there are views to Tokyo, Izu-hantō and Mt Fuji.
Yokohama Museum of Art
Behind Landmark Tower, this modern art museum (221-0306; 3-4-1 Minato Mirai; adult/elementary-school student/junior -high student/college & high-school student ¥500/free/100/300; 10am-6pm Fri-Wed; Minato Mirai) has a decent collection featuring Picasso and Yokoyama Taikan displayed in changing exhibitions. It’s noted for its building, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Tange Kenzō (1989).