Just south of Tokyo on the shore of its bay, Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city and one of its most relaxed and cosmopolitan — a port that grew from a tiny fishing village into a gateway between Japan and the world. Here are some things worth knowing about it.
From fishing village to metropolis
Before it opened to foreign trade in 1859, Yokohama was a village of just a few hundred people. Today it is home to around 3.7 million — the most populous single municipality in Japan after the wards of Tokyo.
Minutes from Tokyo
Yokohama lies only about 30 km from central Tokyo, and fast trains connect the two in under half an hour, making it an easy day trip — or a calmer base for exploring the capital region.
Rebuilt after the Great Kanto Earthquake
The devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 flattened much of Yokohama, killing tens of thousands. The city was almost entirely rebuilt — one reason its modern waterfront feels so new.
Once home to Japan’s tallest building
Completed in 1993, the Yokohama Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan for over two decades. Its 69th-floor Sky Garden observatory still offers one of the finest views over the bay — and, on clear days, Mount Fuji.
A mild, walkable climate
Yokohama enjoys a temperate climate — cool but rarely freezing winters (around 5–6°C) and warm, humid summers — which makes strolling its waterfront pleasant for much of the year.
Scarred by war and rebuilt again
In 1945, US air raids destroyed a large part of the city and killed thousands. Yokohama rebuilt once more, and today its regenerated Minato Mirai district — with its towers, Ferris wheel and museums — symbolises that recovery.
A relatively young city
Yokohama was only incorporated as a city in 1889, celebrating its centenary in 1989 — young by Japanese standards, but with an outsized role in the country’s opening to the world.
Japan’s largest Chinatown
Yokohama’s Chinatown is the biggest in Japan and one of the largest in the world, packed with several hundred restaurants and shops. It is the city’s most popular attraction and a wonderful place to eat.
Japan’s window on the world
As one of the first ports opened to foreign trade, Yokohama became Japan’s main gateway for Western goods, people and ideas — a heritage still visible in its brick warehouses (the Red Brick Warehouse), foreign cemetery and historic Western-style houses.
An international city
Tens of thousands of foreign residents from around the world call Yokohama home, giving the city a cosmopolitan feel — reflected in everything from its food to the quirky Cup Noodles Museum and the serene Sankeien Garden.
FAQ
Is Yokohama worth visiting from Tokyo?
Yes — it is an easy half-day or day trip, with the Minato Mirai waterfront, Japan’s largest Chinatown, harbour views and a more laid-back feel than the capital.
What is Yokohama best known for?
Its port history, the Landmark Tower and Minato Mirai district, its huge Chinatown, and its role as Japan’s historic gateway to the West.
What is the nearest airport?
Tokyo Haneda (HND) is closest, about 30 minutes away; Narita (NRT) also serves the region.
