The 13 best things to do in Yokohama, Japan

Many people miss out on Yokohama (横浜) because they don’t realize how amazing it is. Just a 30-minute train ride south of central Tokyo, Yokohama has an appealing flavor and history all its own. It’s where the country’s first foreign trading port, Chinatown, English-language newspaper, beer factory and railway station were established, and this cosmopolitan past lives on in Yokohama’s creative arts and jazz scene and the sleek converted red-brick warehouses of Minato Mirai. 

Drifting through Yokohama’s bayside parks, there is still a sense of a seaside town. And, despite its size, the city is easy to navigate. Locals are likely to cite the uncrowded, walkable streets or neighborhood atmosphere as Yokohama’s main draws, but for visitors it’s the variety of attractions and cheaper accommodations than Tokyo for the same level of quality.

Here are the 13 best things to see and experience in Yokohama.

1. Discover Yokohama’s maritime history aboard the Nippon Maru

The Nippon Maru was originally used as a training vessel for Japan’s merchant marine. During its years of service, 11,500 cadets were trained on board and the ship logged over 1.8 million kilometers of sailing distance – enough to circle the globe 45 times. It’s now permanently docked in its own memorial park in Minato Mirai. You can board the ship for tours and view its 29 sails unfurled on special occasions several times a year.

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Adjacent to the Nippon Maru is the Yokohama Port Museum, where you can walk through a chronological history of Yokohama Port and its influence on the development of the city.

Detour: The NYK Hikawa Maru, docked at the southern end of Yamashita Park, is a cargo-passenger liner that traveled between Japan and Seattle more than 250 times. As the only surviving pre-WW2 passenger liner, this is a must-see vessel for maritime buffs. 

2. Enjoy ramen or make your own at two museums

If you love ramen, Yokohama is the place to be, with two fascinating ramen-related museums.

Dubbed a “ramen-themed amusement park,” the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum near the Shin-Yokohama Shinkansen station has eight ramen shops representing regional styles from across the country, allowing you to sample different flavors and ingredients. There’s also a small museum about the history of ramen, a ramen noodle–making workshop (make reservations in advance) and a Ra-haku Sugomen…