Falling in Love with Yokohama's Charm

20.11.19

Falling in Love with Yokohama's Charm

I've been hesitating to visit Yokohama since my first visit to Japan though it is conveniently close to Tokyo. I thought that this city was not special, until I finally visited Yokohama last month. I fell in love with this city!

It took us around an hour and a few minutes from Asakusa to Yokohama and our first destination was Yokohama Chinatown which is Japan's largest Chinatown. Yokohama itself is the second largest city in Japan by population.

Entering Yokohama Chinatown will make you forget that you are actually in Japan for a moment. with all the traditional Chinese architecture buildings, bright red lanterns, and board signages in Han Zi.

It was Sunday afternoon, and the Chinatown was packed with people. Mostly tourists like us, I guess. Chinese restaurants and street snack stalls filled the area with their bright colored shop signs - I felt like I was in Mong Kok for a while since it got pretty similar vibes. Since we already had lunch before we went to Yokohama, we gave up to have a feast here.

Other than Chinese restaurants, I could easily spotted boba place here and there. Well, the boba craze was no different here in Yokohama.

From the Chinatown, we headed to our next destination - Yamashita Park on foot.

Yamashita Park is located along the waterfront which made me instantly fell in love! A combination of park + sea/lake works best for me.

You'll easily spot Hikawa Maru (the ship above) once you arrive here. This ocean liner is 90 years old and permanently berthed as a ship museum since 1961. On the other side, you'll spot Osanbashi Pier (below) which runs as an International Passenger Terminal.

It was quite windy in Yokohama that day, but I thanked God that it was not rainy. It was pouring in Tokyo since early in the morning.

Since it was not raining, I was able to have a picnic in a park. We bought snacks and picnic mat at a nearby supermarket on our way from Chinatown to this place. What a moment to just sit back, relax, and enjoying our snacks, drinks, while people and dog-watching from where we sit. Many locals brought their dogs for an afternoon walk here.

Other than enjoying the sea breeze and spending a lovely time at the park, watching acrobatics show from a local performer is one thing you could also do here.

From Yamashita Park, we walked around 10-15 minutes to our next destination: Osanbashi Pier which I have mentioned before. I enjoyed the harbor and sea view which was quite tranquilizing for me.

Osanbashi Pier itself was stunning. I don't know how to describe it in the right term, but the design was bold, modern, and unique.

It was a perfect place for an afternoon stroll and photoshoots. I got to witness Japan's aircraft carrier on my visit too.

After a brief visit to Osanbashi Pier, we headed to the Aka-Renga Soko aka Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.

Apparently, Yokohama Ockoberbest was being held right next to the Red Brick Warehouse. Actually I was tempted to visit but since our time was a bit packed, we decided just to pass by.

So Red Brick Warehouse was formerly a Custom Inspection House in the early 20's and now turned into a shopping center. We just visited this place for a brief moment and decided to go back to Tokyo since the sky is getting darker already.

From across the street, I could spot the icon of Minato Mirai, the Cosmo World Ferris Wheel. Actually Minato Mirai is the central business district of Yokohama. But I haven't got the chance to visit the area. I will surely visit Yokohama on my next Tokyo trip.