Yokohama Things to Do

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Inner Garden of Sankeien used to be the residential, private area not open to public. Today the garden has been open to public but the inside of the buildings are open only during the special occasions. This year(2011), inner garden buildings are open to public from November 26 to December 12, which coincides with autumn leave viewing season. Rinshunkaku and the pond garden is often used for memorial photos. I like the fancy building of Choshukaku. During autumn open days you can go into some restricted pathways behind the Choshukaku building.

For more info about the garden also see my Yokohama Videos

My wife and I recently went on a small group bicycle ride and enjoyed a "sunset ride" along the waterfront from Yokohama Station to Yamashita Park. Actually we told the guide we were hungry, so he (James) led us to nearby Chinatown where found many great restaurants.

The interesting thing is that this tour uses really small folding bicycles which the guide delivers to the meeting point on a big cargo bike. James on the big blue cargo bike followed by 4 little orange folding bikes must have been an interesting sight for people as quite a few people along the way took photos and wanted to talk to us whenever we stopped. The little bikes were actually fun and comfortable to ride but they might not be great if you are very big or if the tour had to go over hills (this one doesn't). I don't know if the company has other larger bikes available.

It was a pretty short ride (only about 45 minutes) with a couple stops for photos but the views were very nice - and it wasn't expensive, I think only 1000yen. The name of the business is "Yokohama Rides and Rentals".

"500 of Chinese restaurants and shops are gathered within 500 meters around, one of the famous Chinatowns in the world. You can enjoy many kinds of Chinese local dishes and buy Chinadresses, souvenirs, crafts, etc. Each major entrances of the town has dazzling gate which welcomes you. On Chinese holidays, you can see the celebrations with lion dance or dragon dance."

All the above is true but it doesn't say that there are Nine gates to Chinatown. The picture show one of them

A futuristic looking area of central Yokohama, located exactly a few walk around the Sakuragi-cho Stn. Minato Mirai or harbour of the future as what they usually call it , is one of the best place a tourist shouldn't miss, the area offers lovely sunset and alot of department stores(shops again,lol!), restaurants that varies in different kinds. The area was built during early 80's around 1983 and finished in merely, 1993. MM21(Minato Mirai Niju-ichi) is part of large scale urban development project for 21st century. The Land Mark Tower (Japan's tallest buillding), Cosmo Clock
(the World's third biggest Ferris wheel), Grand Inter Continental Hotel (half circular shaped) are the main features of the Minato Mirai 21 developmen and accentuates the beautiful Yokohama skyline.
It is recommended that you go in the evening though you can enjoy this area in the day time as well of course..

The highest light house in the world. Which also houses a Museum Beer Mug collection. I confirmed this in 'The Guinness Book World of Records".

Informations:
10:00-21:00 Closed irregularly (Call ahead to check)
Charge: 700 yen

Walking along the Yamashita PArk is a refreshing one since it's situated along the beach near the biggest pier of Japan which is in Yokohama. Catching a lovely sunset is very nice. You can view the harboour of the Minato Mirai which you can see the towering Landmark Tower. You can also walk along to the Minato Mirai. From there you can go directly to the Landmark Tower and neighbooring skycrappers, the Queens buildings.

Information:
Open all day and every day of the year , 19:30-20:00 Closed irregularly (Call ahead to check) Charge: 800 yen

When you're in town around mid July in Japan or in Yokohama. You have to see the amazing fire works in the harbour of Minato Mirai though lots of people will come to see this festival. Be there early and it's worth a visit! As there will be a tendency of pushing and shoving around the Station. when we attended the firectackers last July 2001, we had to walk to another station as we cannot enter due to many people who want to watch the big event!

This skycrapper is with 70 stories above ground and height of 296 meters is a symbol of Yokohama and the Pride! In the 69th floor where it's the Observatory deck you can view the city and you will astonished with the lovely panorama. You can see the Mt. Fuji and the neighbooring place of Yokohama from there! Tallest building in Japan and the fastest elevator in the world, it will take you 45 seconds to be in the Obe deck!

Information:

The Landmark Tower Yokohama 69F
10:00-22:00(Jul.-Sept.)/10:00-21:00(Oct.-Jun.) Open until 22:00 every Saturday
Admission ends 30minutes before closing time.
Open every day of the year
Charge:1000yen for Adults, 500yen for Elem./ Jr.H.Sch.students