Yokohama Things to Do

Check out the view from the 29th floor of the Sky Tower, in Yokohama proper.

Ok, it's not the tallest building in Japan, and there's only one (small) window by the elevator that you can look out of unless you're actually dining there, but there's not many places you can see the skyline in Yokohama itself - at least so my local 'guide' told me...

Buy Chinese sweets from, you guessed it, a Chinese sweet shop.

Westerners will be hard pressed to recognise these things as anything they would call 'sweets' (that's 'candy' for all you Americans out there). So go ahead, try one and expand your horizons

Go on a sight-seeing cruise round the bay. Leaves from the pier every hour or so, the trip lasts about an hour (surprisingly). Basically the boat goes in a circle round the bay, and if you don't speak Japanese you won't understand when they point out all the various sights, so go with a friend who does if you can. Relatively expensive at 1400 yen per person, but quite good fun if it's a hot day and you like boats. Don't miss the circular coffee lounge hanging beneath the suspension bridge which crosses the harbour. Only the Japanese could think of something like that. I mean, where do you park??

A nice place to sit and rest after walking round under the hot sun. Buy ice cream from one of the many ice cream sellers dotted about, or cans of soda from the ubiquitous vending machines. Of course, because it's Japan, there's a time and place for everything, and so don't expect to actually be able to sit on the grass before the month of June. It's all roped off until then...

The largest Chinatown in Japan. At least, I think it's the largest... Whole streets of restaurants, shops and Chinese sweet shops make up this bustling area with narrow, crowded streets, only a stone's throw from the more modern, open spaces by the bay.

In Queens Sq. there is a funfair with a giant Ferris wheel and water chute, several bars and cafes and a roller coaster. Not one of the highest, scariest or fastest you'll ever go on but, memorable as it dives into the swimming pool at the end.

Reconstruction of a retrospective downtown area in 1958 with raumen (Japanese-developed Chinese noodles in soup) shops selected from all over the country. There is an exhibition on raumen culture and history.
Admission

The skyscraper with 70 stories above ground and a height of 296 meters is a symbol of Yokohama. At the Land Mark Plaza you can enjoy shopping in the surrounding area. It also features hotels and halls. The view from "Sky Garden" on the observatory 69th floor is extremely wonderful. Admission Sky Garden.