Destination Inspiration: Yokohama, Japan

Why go?

Yokohama’s bright neon-lit skyline rises behind Tokyo Bay, with an oversized ferris wheel and – on clear days – the white peak of Mount Fuji in the distance. About an hour south of Tokyo, this pretty port city provides a laidback and culturally-rich alternative to the Japanese capital.

Yokohama’s Chinatown is the largest of its kind in Asia, dating back to 1859 when the port was opened and Chinese settlers built schools and temples. Today, it’s Yokohama’s most energetic district, where you can stroll down streets arched in gold and red, eating dumplings, sesame balls and Chinese doughnuts.

Continue your culinary journey with visits to the Cupnoodles Museum and the Shin-Yokohama Rāmen Museum – both offering edible tasters as well as a detailed history of noodles and rāmen. Yokohama’s brewery scene is next – craft beer bars like Thrash Zone and Baird Bashamichi Taproom are fun spots to try local stouts, pale ales and more. Finish off with a walk along Kishamichi Promenade, a railroad-turned-walking route that runs along the bay, ending at the amusement park.

When to go?

Yokohama has relatively mild winters and hot summers. The best months for sightseeing are April or October, when it’s sunny and mild. That being said, if you’re after the lowest prices and don’t mind temperatures around 6-10 degrees Celsius, January might be your best bet.

Where to stay?

Chillulu Coffee and Hostel – Yokohama, Japan

This chilled-out hostel is located right in the middle of Chinatown. Enter the little coffee shop on the ground level, and you’ll find a clean and quiet oasis. The pod-style bunk beds are comfortable, the staff friendly, and you even get a free drink upon arrival. Oh, and the coffee is delicious, too.

Hotel Associa Shin-Yokohama – Yokohama, Japan

Hotel Associa Shin-Yokohama is sleek and modern, with a convenient location directly above Shin-Yokohama Station. All rooms come with an LCD TV, a mini fridge and floor-to-ceiling windows providing panoramic views of Yokohama’s skyline. Each morning, a large breakfast with both Western and Japanese options is served.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yokohama-Koen – Yokohama, Japan

This hotel is just across the street from Yokohama Stadium, the home field of the baseball team, Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The rooms are simple and comfortable, and some windows look out towards Mount Fuji.

Hotel Edit Yokohama – Yokohama, Japan

The foyer of Hotel Edit Yokohama is beautifully decorated with cacti, wood floors and prints hanging on the walls. There’s a whisky bar and restaurant on-site, serving a mix of Japanese and international whiskies. Guests loved the design of the hotel, as well as its convenient central location.

Hotel Vista Premio Yokohama Minato-Mirai – Yokohama, Japan

This hotel is located in the business district of Minato Mirai, which means ‘harbour of the future’. Most of the city’s impressive skyscrapers are located here, along with nice bars, restaurants, and the highly rated Hotel Vista Premio, which overlooks the bay.