Much like Kanazawa, I think that Yokohama is an underrated destination that more people should know about. After immersing myself in the city’s sights, sounds, and flavors, here are some of the destinations and things to do that I think you should try out if you plan to visit. Take note though that I’ll only be mentioning the places and activities that I was able to do. That means there are some things that I might not be able to write about. Still, I think these are great starting point activities and destinations especially if your time there is limited.
The Top 5 Places You Shouldn’t Miss in Yokohama
1. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (Yokohama)
One of the first things I’d recommend doing is visiting the Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum. I say museum, but it’s actually more of an amusement park (more on this later). After checking in at my hotel, I immediately got a cab to this place. The ride was relatively short, only taking around 30 or so minutes. Once here, I then lined up and then paid for admission which was about JPY450.
In the museum section you’ll come across these displays explaining and detailing the history of ramen. The particular display shown here talks about the Chinese origins of ramen and how it has fused with Japanese food culture.
This area has magazines and other printed media that has featured ramen. If you’re into collecting these kinds of magazines then you’ll be glad to know that these are actually for sale. Examples of magazine titles featured here include (but are not limited to) dancyu, Brutus, and Shukan Gandai.
This fine gentleman is another of the popular displays here at the museum section. His name is Uncle Charumera and he was the mascot of the Myojo Charumera brand of instant ramen. From what I remember while researching about him and the museum, he was (and probably is to the older Japanese demographic) actually quite popular and has become synonymous with instant ramen in Japan. In fact, I remember reading that there was actually a Playstation game made with him as the main character. Unfortunately, that game didn’t seem to be available here which was kind of a bummer but totally understandable considering that might have just been shovelware.
Moving around, you’ll also come across this unique display of what seems to be a ramen store’s corner and entrance. This is, in fact, a replica of the ramen shop that arguably put ramen on the map: Kanichi Ozaki’s Rairaiken. The shop started its operations during the early 20th century and if you check the displays here, you’ll find how influential it was in shaping the modern history of ramen.
This is also one of the displays related to Rairaiken. It features replicas of the bags of flour that were used in making the shop’s noodles. The flour came from a company called Nis-Shin (Nisshin) Flour Milling Company which I think is still in operation and has gone on to become one of the biggest millers of flour in Japan today.
Now this is actually a rather interesting exhibit here at the museum section. From what I remember, this is a display of the various ramen flavors/variations that also show which region they came from/are popular in. Take note though that you aren’t allowed to interact with the display which is understandable but also kind of a bummer.
Of course, this won’t be a ramen museum if there’s any ramen right? There’s actually a souvenir shop here where you can purchase premium ramen by the shops that are found in the lower levels/amusement park section of the museum. Other than premium instant ramen, you’ll also find plenty of other souvenirs in this area. I remember seeing lots of cute Hiyoko-chan (Nissin Chicken Ramen’s mascot) items like bowls, plastic cups, slippers, lunch boxes and plushies.
Here’s another look at the museum’s souvenir shop. As you can see, there’s a really wide range of premium instant ramen that’s available here. Some of the packets that stood out for me here were the Rishiri Island Miraku Grilled Soy Sauce Flavor Raw Noodles and the Kumamoto Ramen Komurasaki.
As you go down the stairs to the basement floors, you’ll come across these ramen bowls displayed on the wall. These are actually the ramen bowls collected over the years by the museum from various ramen shops in Japan. What’s interesting is that some (or possibly all? I honestly wasn’t able to check) of the shops where these bowls came from are actually gone. That means that it’s likely that the only memento of those shops are these bowls.
Apparently, this is what a train station in Tokyo looked like back in the 1950s. If you haven’t guessed by now, the amusement park is pretty much a recreation of a small area of the city during that time.
I’m telling you, this was a really nice recreation. You could tell that there was a lot of effort done in terms of the weathering and more importantly with the lighting. There are plenty of immersion breaking features but overall, you really feel like you’ve been transported back in history.
Would you just look at that? There’s a certain charm to this place that’s really hard to put into words. What really piqued my interest here are replica stores like the ones pictured above. Though Japan still has tobacco shops, they aren’t as popular and ubiquitous as the one in the foreground of the image (thanks to convenience stores also selling tobacco products). Much like tobacco shops, mom-and-pop camera stores have also struggled in recent years. In fact, I’d bet that it would hard to find one similar to the shop in the background of this image.
I’m telling you, there’s something with this place that’s going to trigger a sense of nostalgia for a time when you probably weren’t even born yet. Perhaps the only indication that you’re actually in the 21st century is the ceiling and even then you kind of just disregard it.
More often than not, you’ll find yourself staring at these displays. This one is from the camera shop earlier and it features vintage cameras and how much they were going for in the 1950s. Aside from the cameras, you’ll also see boxes of camera film which should throw the young ones off as they probably have no idea what these are and what they do.
Another relic from the past that might confuse people these days is this vintage payphone booth. You’re probably so used to using our smartphones that you might not know how ubiquitous these were just a couple of decades ago. The one pictured here is even more interesting because of how tiny it looked. This was probably a conscious design choice as most Japanese people during the time it was in operation were probably a lot shorter than now.
This is the view from the lowest level where the ramen shops are. The lighting is really quite nice and while there is a constant stream of people, it never feels like it’s crowded here. The ambiance is also very relaxed and save for the interiors of some of the shops and the guests, you really get the feeling that you’re in the past.
Now if you happen to enjoy drinking, there’s a bar here (just under the landing) called Club Orion that is typically open from lunch up until the museum closes. Aside from beer, you can also order a wide selection of drinks and cocktails.
And since this is a ramen museum, I of course had to make sure to try out at least one of the ramen shops here. Rokkakuya 1994+ was the name of the ramen shop I decided to order from and they specialized in what’s called Iekei ramen. This ramen variety is characterized by thick, straight noodles swimming in a pork-based broth that’s rich and flavorful. As for the taste, I wouldn’t say it was the best bowl that I ever had but it was still pretty good.
If you enjoy long scenic walks or just want to immerse yourself in Yokohama’s culture and history then a visit to Sankeien Garden should be at the top of your to-do lists when in the city. I came here on the morning of my third day in Yokohama and just after spending a whole day in Kamakura the day prior.
Be warned though. If you do plan to visit here, make sure you clear up a whole day because there’s just so much to do here.
Once you enter Sankeien Garden you’ll realize just how expansive the whole place is. Garden is definitely an understatement because this looked more like a park with how big it was. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that the Main Pond was actually a lake. Fortunately it’s just a pond and at the time of my visit, it also had plenty of other visitors in the form of the migratory common pochard. These ducks typically migrate to Japan during this time of the year to escape the harsh winter where they’re from.
In order to get to the notable attractions here at Sankeien Garden, you’re going to want to follow this scenic trail here which gives you a fantastic view of the Main Pond as well as the Water Lily and Lotus Ponds (off to the right).
Sankeien Garden is divided into a number of areas each with their own attractions. This image shows the Gomon Gate which is part of the Inner Garden area. It’s not shown but to the left of the gate (from this viewpoint) is the entrance to one of the notable buildings in this area: the Hakuuntei.
Arguably the most popular of the buildings in the Inner Garden though is the Rinshunkaku. This image shows a part of the building as well as the pond that it’s somewhat looking over. The Rinshunkaku has three main parts and is said to have been around since the Edo period and was built for a branch of the Tokugawa clan called the Kishu Tokugawa. Pictured here is the third pavilion of the building which is the only part that has two floors and is arguably the most refined looking. According to experts, this was supposed to have housed a lady of the Kishu Tokugawa clan.
Here we have the second pavilion and 1st pavilion of the Rinshunkaku. The second pavilion is the building in the background that has its fusuma (sliding door) open while the first pavilion is the building in the foreground. From here, you also get to see a little bit inside the second pavilion’s Naniwa no Ma. It wasn’t accessible when I visited but I’ve seen plenty of pictures of the views from inside of the room (from the Sankeien Photo Contest exhibit at the Sankeien Memorial) and they were just jaw-dropping.
Another view of the Rinshunkaku from a pathway near another of the relocated buildings here called the Juto Oido of the Former Tenzuiji Temple. In the foreground is a stone lantern and tsukubai that has seemingly been repurposed into a wishing well.
Opposite the tsukubai is the Juto Oido which is a structure that was said to have been commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From what I could find online as well as from what’s written on the display beside it, the structure is said to enclose a Buddhist stone monument/memorial tablet.
The Teisha Bridge might not look like much in this picture but come spring and summer time, it transforms along with the surroundings into something else. If you somehow get access to the Naniwa no Ma (highly unlikely as it’s not open to the public) in the second pavilion of the Rinshunkaku during spring/summer then you’ll see just how beautiful the bridge looks. In fact, I think it’s the subject of a handful of the winning entries in the Sankeien Photo Contest that I mentioned earlier.
Here’s another look at the Rinshunkaku’s third pavilion from near the Teisha Bridge. One thing that sets the third pavilion apart from the other parts of the building is its second floor. Much like a lot of the buildings in Sankeien Garden though, entry inside of the Rinshunkaku isn’t allowed.
If you follow the path past the Rinshunkaku then you’ll come across another of the buildings here in the Inner Garden called the Gekkadan or the Moon Viewing Pavilion. This used to be a part of Fushimi Castle and served as a waiting area for visiting daimyo.
Much like the Rinshunkaku, the Gekkadan’s fushimi are open but entry inside of the building or even stepping foot on its engawa is not allowed. It’s very likely to ensure that the buildings don’t incur any damage considering how a lot of them have been around since the Edo period (with some even longer).
Just a couple of steps across the Gekkadan is this structure called the Tenjuin building. Unlike most of the buildings that you’ve seen so far, this one has thatched roofing. The building used to be a part of Shinpeiji Temple in Kamakura and was built some time around the mid-1600s. It has called Sankeien Garden its home since it was relocated here in 1916.
What I like about this area of the Inner Garden is the views you come across while walking on its trails. This view in particular was on my way from the Gekkadan and Tenjuin area to the Choshukaku (which is another of the relocated buildings here).
Speaking of Choshukaku, here it is right next to a stream. This is quite honestly one of the chillest buildings in the whole of Sankeien Garden. I mean, just look at that. If I was given the chance to live in one of the buildings here, you’d probably find me chilling and enjoying the sights from this room for the whole day.
I think this building is called a machiai and it’s right next to the Shunshoro. I’m not quite sure what the building’s original purpose was but I did get to sit here and rest for bit before exploring the building next to it as well as the rest of the Inner Garden.
Together with the Gekkadan, the Shunshoro (or more specifically its tearoom) was also relocated to (and rebuilt in) Sankeien Garden sometime in 1922. The tearoom was said to have been built in the 1600s for Oda Nobunaga’s brother, Oda Nagamasu.
I talked about how I preferred living in the Choshokaku but if that wasn’t an option then I’d definitely be seen lounging here.
While it’s not a building per se, this stone coffin is still notable for being one of, if not, the oldest man-made structure here in Sankeien Garden. According to the sign right beside the stone coffin, it’s said to have been dated to as early as the 3rd-4th century AD. That predates some of the buildings here by around a millenia!
The last of the buildings that you’ll come across here at the Inner Garden (if you followed the same route as me) would be the Rengein. Unlike the other buildings, this one is relatively new having been designed by Sankeien Garden’s creator Sankei Hara and built during his lifetime. That said, even though it is an original design, the building does utilize construction materials from other older buildings (notably wood from Byodoin Temple’s Phoenix Hall.
If you follow the path from Rengein, you’ll eventually find yourself passing through the Kaiganmon Gate and out of the Inner Garden. From there, you’ll see a trail going up the hill that will bring you to the Shofukaku Observatory. Don’t worry as the trail at this point isn’t steep and it actually offers some really nice views that you’re bound to appreciate.
At the end of the trail is this stairway that you’ll need to go up in order to get to another trail leading to the Shofukaku. Thankfully, it’s not as steep as it looks and it was actually a pretty chill climb for me.
Once you get to the top of the stairs, you’ll need to walk a short distance to then reach the Shofukaku. The view here is honestly quite nice especially if you enjoy looking at industrial buildings and ships. Some of the landmarks worth checking out from here include the ENEOS Corporation Negishi Refinery, Honmuku Shimin Park, and the Yokohama South Water Purification Center (which is just across the bay).
After admiring the views at the Shofukaku Observatory, you can then head back to the trail but this time go past the stairs. You’ll come across this Buddha statue (likely of Shakya Nyorai) which perfectly sets up the next attraction in this area.
At the end of the trail, you’ll find perhaps one of the most recognizable buildings in Sankeien Garden: the Three-Story Pagoda. Built in 1457, the pagoda used to be a part of Kyoto’s Tomyoji Temple until it was relocated here in the 1900s. From its relocation, the pagoda has gone on to become the center of attraction here as its silhouette is easily visible from almost all areas. In fact, it’s one of the first things you’ll notice as you enter Sankeien Garden and as you go through the Main Pond walking trail.
Once you’re done admiring the pagoda, you can use the path on the right to go down and proceed to the other attractions in the Outer Garden Area (which the Shofukaku and Three-Story Pagoda is a part of).
While the attractions of the Inner Garden are close by each other, those in the Outer Garden are much farther apart. With that said, I think the Outer Garden is a much more enjoyable area to walk around. Pictured on this image is one of the notable buildings you’ll find here called the Butsuden or Buddhist Sanctum of the Former Tokeiji Temple.
This isn’t the only beautiful structure you’ll see here. The Rindoan (not pictured) is the first building you’ll see as you come down from the trail next to the Three Story Pagoda. If you follow the path to your right from there you’ll come across the Hatsunejaya Arbor, Kankabashi Bridge, and the Yokobue-an building.
Perhaps the most accessible of the buildings here in the Outer Garden area is the Former Yanohara Family Residence. It’s a gassho-zukiri style building that is open to the public (or at least to anyone who purchased admission to Sankeien Garden) that now serves as a sort of museum. What sets it apart from other gassho style buildings is how its interiors are split into two distinctly different styles.
I’ll go into more details about this house later on as I also included visiting it in this list.
After you’re done with your tour of the Former Yanohara Family Residence, follow the trail to then come across the Main Hall of the Former Tomyoji Temple. Opposite this landmark you’ll find a large cherry tree called an usuzumi-zakura. Depending on the season, it’s probably going to be one of the best spots in the Outer Garden area to have your photo taken.
Other than Buddhist places of worship, there’s also one for Shinto that you’ll find as you walk further through the trail. Called the Sankeien Tenmangu Shrine, this used to be from the Takanashi Family’s Makado Tenjin. Unlike most of the attractions that we’ve seen so far, the shrine is relatively new here having been relocated in 1976. It’s a relatively small family shrine though so don’t expect anything to the level of a Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
Just a couple of steps across the shrine is a bridge that you can cross to access Kankatei Arbor. This pavilion is probably the coziest in Sankeien Garden with arguably the best views. It’s a great place to rest after all the walking you’d have been doing by this point.
Then from here you can circle back to the Sankeien Saryo area for the next activity that I’d highly recommend.
Sankei Memorial as its name implies, is a museum of sorts that initially was dedicated to commemorating the life and various accomplishments of Sankeien Garden’s creator, Sankei Hara. Other than exhibiting anything and everything related to Sankei Hara, the museum has also gone on to host exhibits relating to the garden itself. Pictured above is a signboard advertising one such exhibit featuring the winners of the 34th Sankeien Photo Contest (it ran from the 1st of January and ended on the 15th of April).
Here’s the trail leading up to Sankei Memorial’s entrance. Take note that this is the same trail you’ll go through to reach the Rinshunkaku and the Inner Garden area.
Now you might be wondering, “which area should you be checking out first?” Personally, I’d go for the Inner and Outer Garden areas first before visiting the memorial. However, I understand why some might argue that it’s better to go through the memorial first.
Regardless of which you pick first though, make sure that you’re mindful of the time as there’s so much to do and check out in the memorial as well as in the Inner and Outer Gardens.
Going back to Sankei Memorial, here’s the entrance. It’s unsurprisingly modern and is drastically different from the aesthetics of the buildings in both the Inner and Outer Garden areas.
This is just outside Exhibition Room 1 which features exhibits of Sankei Hara’s life as well as the time he lived in. The exhibition room is actually quite impressive though I personally didn’t spend too much time there.
I did spend a little time checking out the infographics in the hall with this particular calendar of events piquing my interest. Essentially, it features the notable events of each month along with the type of flowers you can expect to be in bloom. What’s surprising to me though is the fact that you can come here at any time of the year and there’s still going to be an activity that can make the visit worth it.
Though not an infographic, I still found this 2020 Traveler’s Choice award from TripAdvisor quite interesting. I thought this wasn’t worth anything but when I looked it up, this award was actually quite impressive. TripAdvisor apparently doesn’t just hand this out willy-nilly. In order to qualify, the listed business had to consistently get great reviews on top of being in the platform’s top 10% of listings.
There’s also an area here where you can view a pond. More importantly, if you look at the upper right hand side of the image, you’ll also get to see the most prominent structure in the area: the Three-Story Pagoda!
I was really fortunate that the Sankeien Photo Contest Exhibit was still ongoing during my visit. When I found where it was being held inside the memorial I was also surprised to see that visitors were free to take pictures there.
The first images I saw from the exhibit were of these two that won 1st and 2nd place in the contest. Shot by Masao Kobayashi, the image on the right (featuring a bird flying over the Main Pond at dusk with the Three-Story Pagoda in the background) got the 1st place finish and is called ‘See You Tomorrow’. The second place finisher on the other hand is called ‘Spring Mirror’ and was shot by Michiko Nakayama.
‘Catching Fish in a Flash’ is another entry that won 2nd place and was shot by Kiyoshi Hirayama. It features a Kingfisher successfully catching fish in what is likely to be the Main Pond. Third place featured three winners with the first of them being this image by Shigeru Atsumi called ‘Waiting for Spring’.
Rounding out third place are these two haunting (at least in my opinion) images. On the right is Masahide Hosono’s ‘Old House in the Snow’ which features what I think is the Former Yanohara Family Residence covered in snow in the winter. The image to the left is titled ‘Even Fallen, Still Beautiful’ and was shot by Toshio Honda.
Other than the first, second, and third place winners, the exhibit also featured 10 honorable mentions. Included in the ten are the two images above. On the right is Ishii Shigeru’s “Lotus Shower” and on the right is an entry called “Mikado: Midnight Guide of the Gomon” by Ishii Nobuyuki.
Next on the entries that won honorable mentions are these images. The image on the right of some school girls on what is likely a field trip is called ‘School Trip Special’ and was taken by Ito Hirohisa. To its left is an entry by Uchino Tomoko called ‘Enaga Dango’. It features a family of Japanese long tailed tits (enaga) that look like dango (a popular Japanese rice dumpling) on a skewer.
Here’s another set of honorable mentions that features birds. The image of a warbling white eye harvesting nectar on a cherry blossom’s flowers on the right is called ‘Haru Urara’ or springtime and was shot by Katayama Sei. As for the image on the left, it’s of a swan taking flight over the boat anchored in the middle of the Main Pond. The image was shot by Saito Yoshimasa and is called ‘Oike no Yosei’ or Fairy of the Pond.
The Sankeien Photo Contest also recognized entries that couldn’t quite get into the Honorable Mentions section but were still good enough for the exhibit. These entries were awarded the Effort Award and two of these are shown in the image above. On the right is an image of the Main Pond in winter shot by Ikeda Matsuo called Spring is Peaceful. To its left is an image of trees in the Outer Garden that look like dragons (thanks to the yukitsuri supporting them) that were shot by Tomoyoshi Inaya and is aptly called ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’ or Like a Dragon.
Shot by Inoue Kazuyoshi, ‘Forever Flower Wreath’ is a really scenic image of Kakantei Arbor taken during the spring season. On its left is another picture given the Effort Award. The picture is called ‘Shuu’ or Sudden Rain by Iwata Hiroshi and it features a lotus leaf in the Lotus Pond after an afternoon rainshower.
These are two other entries that got the Effort Award that I ended up liking. Shimamura Sumi’s ‘Mai’ or Dance has this ethereal beauty to it that just draws you in for some reason. Then there’s also Sugiyama Keikichi’s ‘Karasuageha no Kyomitsu’ that shows a beautiful swallowtail butterfly drinking nectar from an equally beautiful red spider lily flower.
‘Higasa no Shita de Yasumi’ or Resting Under a Parasol is an entry by Sukegawa Natsuhiro showing a lotus flower seemingly resting under a leaf. Judging by the subject of the picture, this likely was taken in the Lotus Pond during the spring or summer season. Suzuki Mitsuko’s ‘Ochiba wa Nekko wo Sutairisuto’ is one of the most whimsical entries that feature leaves falling in autumn near what seems like a jizo statue in deep thought.
Perhaps the most impressive image I saw at the Sankeien Photo Contest exhibit is this one by Kataoka Kentaro called ‘Sunset (Three-Story Pagoda). This is actually a really old entry that got a 7th Recommended Work Commendation in the 1997 edition of the contest. Despite it being quite old, I think it pretty much encapsulates the allure and draw of Sankeien Garden. Not only is this place insanely picture-worthy, it also fills one with a sense of nostalgia of things that you might not have necessarily experienced in your past.
4. Formal Yanohara Family House (Yokohama)
Next up in my things to do in Yokohama list is a visit to the Former Yanohara Family Residence. This is a gassho-zukiri style house that was relocated to Sankeien Garden from Gifu and it’s actually one of the few buildings here that’s open to the public (as mentioned earlier).
What sets this house apart from most other gasshou-zukiri style residences is that it’s actually divided into two distinct wings each with contrasting styles. Pictured here in the foreground is the Oie or the living room area of the farmhouse style wing of the house. Then in the background, you can see the Genkan or vestibule of the Shoin or Formal wing of the house that was used to receive important guests (typically from the nobility).
The farmhouse wing of the residence features plenty of farm implements as well as home equipment typically used in these houses during the Edo period. This particular room is the Usunuwa or the working and storage room where the residents might have also kept their surplus grains.
Aside from surplus grains and farm/household equipment, the room also has this kioke or wooden storage barrels for miso. Of course, these are just for display and they don’t have any miso in them. That said, they also seem like they’re still in good condition. In fact, it’s probably likely that they could still be used for storing miso.
The room next to the Usunuwa is the Mizuya or water room. Here you’ll find this cabinet containing some buckets, seiro (steamers), what looks to be a large geta serving plate, and some bowls that could have been used for preparing food.
In contrast to the austere design of the farmer’s wing of the house, the shoin or formal wing features a lot more sophistication and comforts. Aside from being elevated from the farmer’s wing, this area also makes use of tatami mats making sitting on the floor much more comfortable. The area also features plenty of decorative elements like the ryobiraki (traditional Japanese cabinet) in this image.
This is the shoin/formal wing’s Hiroma or the formal room. There are actually three large rooms in this area that are divided by fusuma or sliding doors. The room next to this is the Nakanoma or Middle Room and that leads to the Okuzashiki or the Inner Formal Room. For large formal gatherings, it’s possible to draw back the fusuma which would then result in the three rooms forming one large chamber.
A lot of the implements you’ll find in the formal wing of the residence consist mainly of these lamps. The ones shown here can be found in what used to be a room that housed one of the family’s Buddhist altars. What’s interesting about this room though is that it’s probably one of, if not, the only room in the residence that is off limits for visitors.
Here’s another view of the irori (sunken hearth) in the Oie or living room area of the farmer’s wing of the house. There’s actually a sign on the border of the irori detailing the seating position that had to be followed when there was a gathering around here. There’s also a daidokoro or family room just before the Usunawa earlier that also had an irori. That was where meals were typically cooked and where the family would then eat.
These suribachi and surikogi (mortar and pestle respectively) are quite possibly some of the most important tools in a farmer’s household. This is especially true for farmers who cultivate rice as the suribachi and surikogi are used mainly during the mochi making process.
As its name implies, the umaya is a shed or building where farmers keep their horses. Typically, it’s a separate structure from the main house. In the case of the Former Yanohara Family Residence though, this is actually a room inside the residence that can be found near the entrance and just before the living room area.
Last but definitely not the least of the things you ought to do in Yokohama is a visit to Yamashita Park. Not only was the park relatively close to where I was staying, it also didn’t charge a single dime (or yen) for entry. I managed to get here in the afternoon and I managed to enjoy a lovely stroll just before I checked out of my hotel.
I entered the park through its Central Entrance and one of the first things I saw here was the Guardian of the Water Statue and Fountain. Apparently, this is a replica that was given by the city of San Diego to commemorate its sister city agreement with Yokohama. The original of the statue and fountain is actually still around and can be found in the San Diego County Administration Center.
Here’s the engraving of the Yokohama San Diego Sister City Agreement that I talked about earlier. Aside from detailing how the agreement came to be, the engraving also has the lyrics and notes for the song ‘Miishi no San Diego’ (which translates to San Diego the Beautiful).
Another view of the engraving with the Guardian of the Water Statue in the background. Aside from the statue and the fountain, you can also see an El Camino Real Mission Bell off on the upper left area of the image. Similar to the statue, this one is a replica of the real Mission Bells of El Camino Real. In total there are four of these and you can find them around the fountain area.
The NYK Hikawa Maru is probably one of the most notable (if not the largest) attractions here in Yamashita Park. It’s been anchored here for quite some time and it actually has a rather interesting history as the only surviving pre-World War 2 cargo passenger liner not just in Japan but in the whole wide world.
Aside from a view of Yokohama Bay, you can also enjoy the Yokohama skyline from here at the Yamashita Park Baywalk. If you want to, you can follow this path here and you’ll be able to reach the Osanbashi Pier Building off (the large white building on the pier) in the distance.
One thing that I liked about Yokohama in general was that the city’s architecture had plenty of Western influences. Case in point would be this particular pergola here in Yamashita Park near the Guardian of Water statue and fountain.
Speaking of Western influences, this monument is a perfect example of how Japan managed to adapt European/American practices and then made it their own. Zangiri was the name of a Western-style haircut that was wildly popular during the Meiji era. According to accounts, Yokohama had the first barbershop that offered this style and pretty soon the Meiji government promoted it through a decree. This time in history was eventually memorialized in 1989 when this monument was completed and erected.
A closer view of the Osanbashi Pier Building and the boats that are anchored to its pier. This viewpoint is actually near the Wharf House restaurant where you can then take a bite or drink and relax while taking in the sunset views in this area.
Though I was tempted to just sit back and chill, I knew that there were still plenty of attractions here that I still had to take photos of! This one in particular is called the Indian Drinking Fountain or Indian Water Tower. Gifted to the city by the Yokohama Indian Merchants Association, this structure served to commemorate the help the city extended to them after the devastation of 1923’s Great Kanto Earthquake.
Here’s the Wharf House restaurant’s outside seating arrangement. Again, I didn’t end up eating here but I did read that the restaurant’s food and service was okay. That said, I couldn’t help but think that it might be a tourist trap. Moreover, I was on a tight schedule at this point as I still needed to check out of the hotel and get ready for my flight that night so I definitely didn’t have the time to dilly dally here (as tempting as it was to do so).
This is how the Indian Water Tower looks from up close. I’m not sure if this used to work before but it definitely didn’t when I was there. Anyway, you could just buy water at the Wharf House if you are feeling thirsty.
Speaking of the Wharf House, they actually have a pop-up just outside of their building if you’re not too keen on going inside and ordering. Aside from water, they also offer beer as well as coffee along with food like Yando ramen (which from what I understand is an instant ramen brand).
And these are the things I’d recommend you do when you do get to Yokohama. Once again, this isn’t a definitive guide but rather a suggestion. Like Kamakura and Kanazawa, I know that there are plenty of places and activities in Yokohama that I might have missed. If you’d like to share your thoughts and suggestions then make sure to sound off in the comments section!
