Top Things to Do in Yokohama: Best Activities & Must-Sees

Yokohama is a bit like Tokyo’s big neighbour that we tend to overlook—or don’t even know—and that’s a real shame. Just thirty minutes by train from the Japanese capital, this port city has a charm all its own: a seafront that sparkles at night, red-brick warehouses reinvented as trendy venues, a vast and colourful Chinatown, sleek modern towers facing the bay, and a vibe that’s noticeably more laid-back than Tokyo’s.

So, what exactly should you see in Yokohama? How should you organise your time if you want to visit Yokohama in a day, or, on the other hand, stay for 3 days?

🎡 Popular Yokohama activities at great prices

• 🐬 Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise 🎢 – From £27.04 – A large seaside complex combining an aquarium, rides and family-friendly attractions
• 🌇 Minatomirai ✨ – Free – A modern bayfront district with an iconic skyline and giant shopping centres
• 🍜 Shin‑Yokohama Ramen Museum 🍥 – Prices vary by season – Theme park-style museum with a recreated 1950s street and regional stalls
• 🚡 YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN 🌉 – Prices vary – Urban cable car linking Sakuragichō Station to the waterfront, offering bird’s‑eye views over Minato Mirai
• 🏙️ Yokohama Landmark Tower 🔭 – Free to enter the building, paid observatory (Sky Garden) with panoramic views of the bay and Mount Fuji on clear days

📅 What to Do in Yokohama Based on Your Stay

Yokohama is the second-largest city after Tokyo. Even so, the city suits a one-day visit just as much as a three-day stay. It all depends on what you want to see, your schedule, and your pace.

👉 How many days do you need to visit Yokohama?

• In 1 day, you’ll see the waterfront essentials, Minato Mirai and Chinatown.
• In two days: add a visit to an amusement park such as Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, or to the city's museums (listed below).
• In 3 days: you can either delve deeper into Yokohama or take a side trip to Kamakura or Enoshima.

🔥 Must-Visit Districts in Yokohama

Minato Mirai 21: the modern, radiant heart

It’s hard to talk about Yokohama without mentioning Minato Mirai 21, one of the city’s largest districts. Set along the bay, it’s where most of the action is: shopping centres, offices, hotels, museums, and the famous Cosmo World amusement park with its giant Ferris wheel.

In the evening, all the towers light up, and the whole scene is mirrored in the bay, creating a skyline almost as spectacular as Hong Kong’s or Singapore’s!

It’s also home to the famous Yokohama Landmark Tower (which was Japan’s tallest for many years), the old brick warehouses converted into shops and restaurants (Red Brick Warehouse), and several museums as well.

📌 Top tip: if you only have half a day, this neighbourhood is perfect for packing in the sights, photos and dinner.

Chinatown: Yokohama Chinatown

Second essential neighbourhood to visit: Yokohama’s Chinatown (yes, really!). Yes, you’re in Japan, but even so, this is the largest Chinatown in Japan—and quite possibly one of the biggest in the world.

• Red lanterns suspended from overhead wires,
• Buddhist and Taoist temples adorned with golden dragons,
• Street food stalls filling the air with sweet or spicy steam,
• Authentic Chinese restaurants.

It really feels like China! For anyone who loves Chinese food, you’ll find delicious xiaolongbao (little steamed soup dumplings), pillowy buns stuffed with pork or vegetables, Peking duck, pastries filled with red bean paste, grilled skewers… In short, a real paradise for foodies.

📌 Tips: Allow at least a good hour for a wander, longer if you’d like to linger in a traditional restaurant.

Yamashita Park and the seafront promenade

Between Minato Mirai and the Chinatown district, treat yourself to a long, well-kept promenade that hugs the bay. It’s a lovely place to walk, cycle, or simply sit on a bench and watch the boats go by (when the weather’s fine).

In the same vein, Yamashita Park is the best-known park on this promenade: manicured lawns, beds of roses or tulips depending on the season, and a clear view of the Cosmo World Ferris wheel in the distance. A soothing little interlude!

A little further along, Osanbashi Pier offers a panoramic view of the entire Yokohama skyline.

💡Trip.com’s recommendation: this is the perfect spot for photos, especially at sunset or in the evening when the whole city lights up. If you love waterside strolls, don’t miss it!

Shin‑Yokohama: the neighbourhood of quirky museums

Shin‑Yokohama, set a little back from the seafront, is best known for two things: the Shinkansen (high‑speed train) station and the Shin‑Yokohama Rāmen Museum.

This museum-theme park recreates a typical 1950s Japanese street, where several stalls serve bowls of ramen from different regions across the country. You can also discover the history of this now-iconic noodle soup.

💡Trip.com fun fact: this neighbourhood is also home to Yokohama International Stadium (famous for hosting football matches during the 2002 World Cup and the 2021 Olympic Games).

🎫 Top 4 Activities and Landmarks in Yokohama

Now that you’ve got an idea of the neighbourhoods to explore, let’s talk about the experiences that truly make a stay in Yokohama memorable: waterfront theme parks, quirky museums, an urban cable car, dizzying skyscrapers…

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: aquarium and seaside amusement park

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is something of the star attraction for families visiting Yokohama. Set on an artificial island connected by a bridge, the complex brings together numerous aquariums (with dolphins, sea lions, penguins, sharks…) and a fully fledged amusement park with a big wheel, roller coasters and water rides.

You can also enjoy dolphin shows, as well as interactive pools where you can touch certain marine species (children’s favourite activity!).

💡Trip.com’s recommendation: allow at least half a day, or even longer if you want to enjoy the rides.

The Ramen Museum: a journey into the 1950s

We mentioned it briefly earlier: the Shin‑Yokohama Rāmen Museum is an unmissable experience. Imagine a museum that recreates a typical 1950s Japanese street, with vintage signs, retro lighting and neat rows of little stalls… except that in each one you can tuck into a proper bowl of rāmen from a different region of Japan! Incredible, isn’t it?

The place also takes you through the full history of this now-iconic dish and the invention of instant ramen. If you love food and have a soft spot for retro vibes, you’ll love it.

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN: Soar over the city in a cable car

The YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN is a brand-new urban cable car that links Sakuragichō Station to the waterfront in just a few minutes. You glide over neighbourhoods, parks and skyscrapers, with a bird’s-eye view across the entire bay. It’s a short ride, but really worth it—especially towards the end of the day, when the lights start to come on.

The cabins are modern, with glass on all sides, and rise high enough to offer a lovely panoramic view.

Yokohama Landmark Tower: the view from above

Finally, how could we not recommend the Yokohama Landmark Tower? At 296 metres, it long held the title of Japan’s tallest skyscraper. On the 69th floor, you’ll find the Sky Garden, a panoramic observatory offering 360° views over the entire bay, the city, and on clear days, Mount Fuji!

In the evening, it’s even better: all of Yokohama’s lights sparkle below, the giant Ferris wheel stands out in the distance, and you really get a sense of how far the city stretches along the bay. If you love views from up high, it’s an absolute must!

🌸 Best Time to Visit Yokohama

Yokohama’s climate is, of course, very similar to Tokyo’s, with four well-defined seasons. You can visit the city all year round, but certain times of year are more pleasant for enjoying the bay and leisurely strolls.

If you're unsure: spring and autumn bring mild temperatures, clear skies and outdoor events, making them truly delightful times to enjoy the bay and the parks.

🚄 How do I get from Tokyo to Yokohama?

Getting to Yokohama from Tokyo is really simple:

• From Tokyo Station or Shinagawa: the JR Tokaido Line or Yokosuka Line takes around 25–30 minutes.
• From Shibuya or Shinjuku, the JR Shōnan‑Shinjuku Line or the private Tokyu Toyoko Line will get you to Yokohama quickly.

For Minato Mirai: the Minatomirai Line serves the bayfront stations directly. Most other neighbourhoods are easy to reach on foot, by metro or by bus from the main station.

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