Yokohama

Japan's second-largest city and a historic port opened over 150 years ago, with Minato Mirai's night views, Chinatown food, the Red Brick Warehouse and the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, just 30 minutes from Tokyo.

Yokohama lies in eastern Kanagawa Prefecture on the western shore of Tokyo Bay. With a population of about 3.7 million, it is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo. One of the first ports opened to foreign trade in 1859, it retains a rich legacy of its port-opening era — Chinatown, the former Yamate foreign settlement and the Red Brick Warehouse — alongside the skyscrapers and bay views of Minato Mirai 21. The main sightseeing areas are along the waterfront: (1) Minato Mirai 21 (Landmark Tower, the Ferris wheel, the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM and the aerial cable car); (2) the modern-era architecture around Kannai, Bashamichi and the Red Brick Warehouse; (3) Yamashita Park, the Hikawa Maru, Chinatown and Motomachi; (4) the Western-style houses of Yamate and Harbor View Park. These areas can all be linked on foot, and further south are Sankeien Garden, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. The climate is mild: cherry blossoms in March–April and crisp autumn weather in October–November make these the best times to visit; in December, Minato Mirai and the Red Brick Warehouse put on Christmas illuminations and markets, and clear winter days often bring views of Mt. Fuji; June–July is the rainy season and August is hot and humid. Getting there: it's about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station or Shibuya by JR or the Tokyu Toyoko Line; direct buses from Narita Airport take about 90 minutes, and the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport about 25 minutes. Around the city, the main options are the Minatomirai Line, the JR Negishi Line, the municipal subway and the Akai Kutsu ("Red Shoes") sightseeing bus, or you can hop on the Sea Bass water bus between Yokohama Station, Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park. Allow 1–2 days: Minato Mirai and the Red Brick Warehouse with the night views on day one, then Chinatown, Yamashita Park and Yamate on day two. Yokohama is also a popular day trip from Tokyo. Nearby Kamakura, Enoshima and Hakone are covered as separate destinations and can easily be combined.

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