A day trip guide to Yokohama
Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city, and only a 30 minute limited-express train from Shibuya. Yokohama is a thriving port town and well known for so much entertainment, beautiful gardens, and a very popular Chinatown district. This city has so much to offer, but if you’re only here for a day, here are some suggestions to make it the best experience.
Morning
Blue Bottle Coffee at Minatomirai
Minatomirai Station is an easy 30 minute no transfer express train from Shibuya station. The surrounding area is known for its good shopping malls, Yokohama Museum of Art, and a beautiful Blue Bottle Coffee location. Peace Flower Market Cafe is also worth a visit for their outdoor terrace and homemade baked goods.
Sankei Garden
This 100+ year old garden is beautiful to walk through any day of the year. There are several temples, ponds, and restaurants offering traditional Japanese meals, and sweets too, of course.
Hinodecho Station
This is a recently renovated area now home to Koganecho Artbook Bazaar and Hinodecho Food Hall. Wander along the Ooka River by foot, or float down it by renting something at SUP & Kayak tours.
Afternoon
Aonoha by Crony Club
This shop is full of local brands from clothing, accessories, and home goods too.
Noge Food Alley
Noge Alley has a long rich history, and the nostalgic atmosphere remains intact. This is a fun place to bar hop and try the many tiny izakaya eateries. This neighborhood is also well known for their old Jazz venues, and the oldest Jazz cafe in Japan, Chigusa.
Yokohama Air Cabin
The Yokohama Air Cabin offers both a one way or round trip tickets from Sakuragicho Station to canal park in the Shinko area. The views are amazing, but once you arrive in the Shinko area there is still a lot to see. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a huge building with shops & restaurants. Manyo Club is a well known onsen with water brought directly from the Izu Peninsula. As well as an aquarium and Cup of Noodle Museum where you can create your own cup noodle.
Evening
Monkey-Magic Teahouse
Chinatown is easily walkable from the Yokohama Air Cabin area. The neighborhood is so fun to wander, especially at night with streets lined with red lanterns and neon signs. It can be overwhelming with so many amazing food, snacks, and tea options everywhere. Located on the edge of Chinatown is this wonderful two story tea house. The first floor is full of packaged tea, tools, and snacks to go. Upstairs you’ll find their tea house specializing in Chinese teas, sweets, and classic comfort meals like soymilk dan dan noodles and lotus seed buns with sausage.
頂好食品 Good Food Bakery
As you walk around you’ll find countless bakeries with packaged sweets & savory snacks to go. One that stands out is this corner bakery named “Good Food Bakery.” The humble shop is overflowing with goods inside & outside their shop. From mooncakes, egg tarts, pork buns and pineapple bread, plus seasonal treats too like chestnut sesame dumplings.
隆記
This shop is also overflowing with bulk teas, spices, sauces, and snacks. They also offer a small selection of tea tools and special Chinese medicines, plus some body care goods too.
Saikoushinkan
You may have quickly noticed as you walk around how overwhelming the dinner options can be. There are just so many restaurants and food stands to choose from. This classic Cantonese spot stands out from the rest. They have so many food option from dim sum, so many soups, dumplings, desserts and Chinese beers & alcohol. Make a reservation in advance on their website, or they have an in person ipad reservation system, so write your name down ahead of time before exploring the area. On weekends, dinner reservations can fill up for the night by 4 or 5pm.
