8 Best Things to Do in Yokohama, Japan

Looking for the best things to do in Yokohama? We’ve got you covered!

Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city, but it often gets overshadowed by nearby Tokyo. However, we really don’t think it should be skipped. This lively port city has beautiful waterfront views, historic gardens, amazing food, and some seriously fun experiences, from JDM car tours to local ramen adventures.

Whether you’re visiting Yokohama on a cruise stop, staying overnight, or using it as a base for exploring more of Japan, there’s plenty to keep you busy. So, to help you plan your trip, we’ve put together this guide to the best things to do in Yokohama. Let’s get into it!

Yokohama at a Glance

Before we get into the full list, here are a few things to know before visiting Yokohama. This city sits just south of Tokyo, so it’s really easy to visit on a day trip, but we think it’s worth giving yourself a little longer if you can.

Explore the waterfront: Yokohama is a big, modern port city, but it has a very different feel from Tokyo. The waterfront is a huge part of its appeal, especially around Minato Mirai, Yamashita Park, and Osanbashi Pier, where you’ll find skyline views, open spaces, and lots of places to wander.

Get ready to eat: Yokohama is famous for its ramen culture, and it’s home to one of Japan’s biggest Chinatowns, so definitely arrive hungry! Getting around is pretty straightforward too, with trains, buses, and taxis available, although guided tours can be really helpful if you want to explore beyond the main waterfront areas.

Where you stay matters: For most travelers, we’d recommend staying around Minato Mirai, Kannai, or close to Yokohama Station. These areas make it easy to reach the harbor, restaurants, shops, and train links for day trips to Tokyo or Kamakura.

How We’d Spend 2-3 Days in Yokohama

Day 1: Spend the morning discovering the city on this private guided Yokohama tour, where a local guide will tailor the itinerary to your interests and show you some of the city’s best-known landmarks. In the afternoon, head to Sankeien Garden before rounding off the day with dinner and drinks around lively Noge.

Day 2: Start by exploring the Minato Mirai waterfront, including Yokohama Landmark Tower and the historic Red Brick Warehouse. Later, embark on this ramen adventure before exploring Chinatown after dark.

Day 3: If you have another day to spare, you’ve got a couple of fantastic options. Car enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the JDM Daikoku Parking tour for a chance to experience Japan’s legendary automotive culture, while history lovers will enjoy taking a day trip to nearby Kamakura to explore its temples, shrines, and coastal scenery.

Things to do in Yokohama

1. Dive into Yokohama’s legendary JDM car scene

If you’re even remotely interested in cars, this JDM tour is hands down one of the coolest experiences in Yokohama. Japan has long been at the heart of automotive culture, producing iconic brands like Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Subaru, while the country’s modified car scene has gained a cult following around the world. Even if you’re not a huge petrolhead, there’s something pretty special about seeing where it all comes from.

This tour takes you beyond the typical tourist sights and introduces you to Yokohama’s place in Japan’s automotive history. Along the way, you’ll stop at Nissan-related facilities and other automotive landmarks, with a local guide sharing stories about the city’s deep connection to the industry. We loved that it wasn’t just about looking at cars, but learning about the culture behind them too.

The highlight is undoubtedly Daikoku Parking Area, one of the world’s most famous meeting spots for Japanese performance cars. It’s tucked away on an artificial island and isn’t accessible on foot, so joining a tour like this is by far the easiest way to visit. Depending on the evening, you could see everything from immaculate Nissan GT-Rs and classic Japanese sports cars to rare supercars and heavily modified custom builds.

Every visit is a little different because the cars that turn up vary from day to day, which makes it feel even more exciting. Whether you’re a lifelong JDM fan or you’re simply curious to see a side of Japan that most visitors never experience, we think that this tour offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the country’s biggest passions.

2. See Yokohama through the eyes of a local

If it’s your first time in Yokohama, we honestly think there’s no better introduction to the city than this private walking tour. Rather than trying to squeeze everything in yourself, you’ll spend four hours with a licensed local guide who’ll tailor the itinerary to your interests, helping you make the most of your time.

One of the things that we loved most about this experience is that it’s completely customizable. Before the tour, your guide will get in touch to find out what you’d most like to see, whether that’s beautiful gardens, historic neighborhoods, museums, waterfront viewpoints, or somewhere to enjoy a fantastic local lunch. Then they’ll put together an itinerary that suits you, rather than following the same route as every other tour group.

It’s also a brilliant way to understand Yokohama beyond the guidebook. As you explore, your guide shares stories about the city’s history, culture, and daily life, adding context that you simply wouldn’t get from wandering around on your own. We always find that learning these little details makes a place feel much more memorable. And despite only lasting four hours, we were surprised by how much we managed to fit in!

If you’ve only got a day or two in Yokohama, this is one of the smartest experiences you can book. You’ll leave with a much better understanding of the city, plus plenty of ideas for places to revisit in your own time. It works perfectly for your first day here!

3. Take a day trip to Tokyo

If you’re staying in Yokohama but don’t have time to spend a few days in Tokyo, this private day trip is a fantastic way to experience Japan’s capital. The two cities are only around 30 minutes apart by train, making Tokyo incredibly easy to visit without packing up your bags or changing hotels.

One of the best things about this tour is that it’s completely customizable. Before the day, your licensed guide will work with you to create an itinerary based on your interests, whether you’d rather explore historic temples, peaceful gardens, bustling shopping districts, or famous landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and Senso-ji Temple. Instead of rushing around trying to tick off everything, you’ll get to focus on the parts of Tokyo that appeal to you most.

Having a local guide also makes a huge difference in a city as vast as Tokyo. Its public transport system is incredibly efficient, but it can feel a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. Your guide takes care of all the logistics, so you can spend less time figuring out train lines and more time soaking up the atmosphere. Along the way, they’ll also share insights into Tokyo’s history, culture, and daily life, helping you understand the city on a much deeper level.

We think this is an especially good option if you’re visiting Yokohama before or after a cruise, traveling for business, or just using the city as your base. You’ll experience some of Tokyo’s biggest highlights in a single day before returning to Yokohama in the evening, making it a really efficient way to see two of Japan’s most exciting cities during the same trip.

4. Walk from Yamashita Park to Osanbashi Pier

Not every great experience in Yokohama needs to be booked in advance. If you’re looking for something free and relaxing, we highly recommend taking a stroll from Yamashita Park to Osanbashi Pier. It’s one of the city’s most scenic waterfront walks, and a lovely way to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

Yamashita Park has been a favorite spot for locals and visitors since it opened in 1930. Stretching for almost 700 meters along Yokohama Port, it was built using rubble from the Great Kanto Earthquake, transforming an area devastated by disaster into one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces. Today, you’ll find wide promenades, flower beds, fountains, and plenty of benches where you can sit and watch the ships come and go.

From here, it’s an easy walk to Osanbashi Pier, one of Yokohama’s international cruise terminals. Even if you’re not arriving by ship, it’s well worth visiting. The rooftop is open to the public and features sweeping wooden decks and grassy areas with uninterrupted views across the harbor. It’s also one of the best places in the city to admire the Minato Mirai skyline, especially as the sun begins to set and the skyscrapers start to light up.

We think this walk is ideal for slowing the pace between sightseeing. It’s easy to fit into almost any itinerary, completely free to enjoy, and offers a different perspective of Yokohama that you simply can’t appreciate from the train or the road.

5. Go behind the scenes of Yokohama’s ramen culture

If you ask us, one of the best ways to understand a country’s culture is through its food. And since ramen is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, what better place to learn about it than at a family-run noodle factory that’s been perfecting its craft for generations?

Rather than simply eating a bowl of ramen, this experience takes you behind the scenes to see how it’s made. You’ll visit a historic noodle factory, where you’ll learn about the different types of ramen noodles and even create your own by choosing the dough and cutting blade. It’s fascinating to discover just how much these small decisions affect the flavor and texture of the finished dish!

Afterward, you’ll head to your host’s home for a hands-on cooking experience. Together, you’ll prepare a traditional Japanese meal, including handmade gyoza and your freshly made ramen, before sitting down to enjoy everything around the family table. We love that this isn’t just a cooking class, but an opportunity to experience Japanese hospitality and everyday life in a way that most visitors never do.

One thing that’s worth knowing is that this experience has very limited availability. Groups are kept intentionally small to create a more personal atmosphere, and dates often sell out well in advance. If it’s something you’d like to do, we’d definitely recommend booking as early as possible to avoid missing out.

6. Visit temples, shrines, and seaside streets in Kamakura

If you’re looking to experience a completely different side of Japan while staying in Yokohama, this private day trip to Kamakura is one of the best excursions you can take. Once the political capital of medieval Japan, Kamakura feels worlds away from Yokohama’s futuristic skyline, with centuries-old temples, peaceful bamboo groves, traditional shrines, and one of the country’s most famous landmarks: the Great Buddha.

One of the biggest advantages of this tour is that it’s completely private and customizable. Before your trip, your government-licensed guide will get in touch to tailor the itinerary to your interests, whether you’d rather focus on Zen temples, history, gardens, or Kamakura’s famous food scene. In six hours, you’ll usually have time to visit three or four attractions, giving you the flexibility to create a day that suits you.

Of course, no visit to Kamakura would be complete without seeing the iconic Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple. Standing more than 11 meters (36 feet) tall, it’s one of Japan’s most recognizable statues and an absolute must-see!

We also love that this is a walking tour. Rather than simply being driven from sight to sight, you’ll travel like a local and gain a much better feel for everyday life in Japan. Combined with the fascinating stories and historical context your guide provides throughout the day, it’s a brilliant way to understand not just what you’re seeing, but why Kamakura remains one of Japan’s most treasured destinations.

7. Visit Sankeien Garden

For a peaceful cultural stop in Yokohama, we think Sankeien Garden is well worth adding to your itinerary. It’s low-cost, beautiful, and offers a completely different atmosphere from the city’s modern waterfront areas.

The garden covers more than 175,000 square meters (1,883,685 square feet), so it’s much more than a quick stroll around a pond. There are walking paths, seasonal flowers, traditional landscapes, and historic buildings that were brought here from across Japan. It’s the perfect place to slow down for a while and get a feel for Japan’s architectural and garden traditions in one easy stop.

One of the standout features is the three-story pagoda, originally built in Kyoto in the mid-1400s and later moved to Sankeien in 1914. Details like this are what make the garden feel so special. You’re not just visiting a pretty green space, but a carefully preserved collection of historic structures.

Adult admission is currently listed at 900 yen, which is around $5.50 USD, while children’s tickets are 200 yen, or about $1 USD. That makes it one of the best-value cultural attractions in Yokohama, especially if you want something scenic and meaningful without booking another tour.

We’d recommend visiting when you want a quieter break from the busier parts of the city. It’s ideal if you want to see a more traditional side of Yokohama.

8. Experience a traditional tea ceremony

A traditional tea ceremony is one of the most meaningful cultural experiences you can have in Japan, and this private workshop offers a really personal way to learn about it. Rather than watching a large demonstration, you’ll visit a private home in Yokohama and take part in the ceremony inside a traditional tatami room.

The tea ceremony, or chanoyu, is about far more than simply drinking matcha. It’s a carefully practiced ritual built around hospitality and mindfulness. Every movement has meaning behind it, from the way the tea is prepared to how the bowl is received and turned before drinking. Taking part in the ceremony gives you a much deeper appreciation for the symbolism and discipline that run through so many aspects of Japanese culture.

During this experience, you’ll be guided by a professional tea master who has studied the tea ceremony for more than 40 years and taught it for over 15. They’ll demonstrate the ritual, explain its history, and teach you how to be a guest at a Japanese tea ceremony. You’ll also enjoy handmade wagashi sweets, which are chosen according to the season, before trying your hand at mixing matcha yourself.

We love that this experience takes place in a private home because it feels much more intimate than a standard classroom-style workshop. It’s a wonderful contrast to Yokohama’s busy waterfront and city streets, and a really special experience to add to your trip. 

Where to Stay in Yokohama

Choosing where to stay in Yokohama can make a big difference, especially if you only have a couple of days in the city. We’d recommend staying somewhere central, ideally around Minato Mirai, Kannai, Yamashita Park, or Chinatown, so you’re close to the waterfront, restaurants, transport links, and lots of the main things to do.

To make things easier, we’ve rounded up three great Yokohama hotels for different budgets.

Luxury – $$$

Mitsui Garden Hotel is a gorgeous choice if you want a sleek, modern stay with incredible city and bay views. It’s located in the Minato Mirai area, close to the waterfront, shops, restaurants, and train links, so it’s very handy for sightseeing. The hotel also has a sky pool, outdoor terrace, restaurant, and guest rooms on higher floors, so it’s a sleek, city escape rather than just a place to sleep.

Rooms start from around $200 USD per night. Check prices for your dates and book this stay on Booking.com!

Mid-range – $$

Hyatt Regency Yokohama is a fantastic mid-range option, especially if you want to stay close to Yamashita Park, Chinatown, and Osanbashi Pier. The hotel has a polished, stylish feel, with a design inspired by Yokohama’s mix of Japanese and Western influences. We think it’s a great pick if you want something comfortable and central, without going all-in on the most expensive waterfront hotels.

Prices typically start from $150 USD per night. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.

Budget – $

APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower is a great budget-friendly choice in a super convenient location. It’s a huge hotel, with more than 2,300 rooms, plus a large public bath, open-air bath, pool, fitness center, and several restaurants and cafés. Rooms are compact, as you’d expect from APA, but for the price and location, it’s a really practical base for exploring Yokohama.

Rooms here start from $60 USD per night, but vary by season. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.

For even more options, check out all the hotels in Yokohama here!

Thanks for reading!

Many travelers overlook Yokohama, but we were pleasantly surprised by this city! It makes for a great break from the over-touristed streets of Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, and shows a completely different side of Japan. If you’re ready for something off the beaten path, add Yokohama to your itinerary.

Before you go, browse our other Japan blogs! As long-time travelers, we love sharing our favorite places and travel tips with others. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination. Cheers!

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