Yokohama

Though it acts more as a suburb for Tokyo commuters, the city of Yokohama is a heavyweight in its own right with an especially strong local economic base. This is Japan’s largest seaport. It’s closely connected to Tokyo through several railway lines but is less congested than the capital, with plenty of sights to see.

There are several popular areas around Yokohama, the most obvious of which are its port areas and Yamashita Park. The area includes a rare silk museum, doll museum, motion display museum, as well as the city’s archives of history. The waterfront’s Marine Tower, at 106 meters high, is one of the world’s tallest inland lighthouses and has a 2-storey observation deck with a 360-degree panoramic view as well as a third floor museum filled with vintage American toys.

Further into the city is Motomachi, a shopping street first opened for foreign residents living in the foreign settlement. The area also has a fashion museum, and a foreign cemetery where over 4,500 foreigners from over 40 countries have been laid to rest.

Yokohama’s own Chinatown district is one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world with elaborate east, west, south, and north gates that lead into the district proper. There are more than 500 restaurants, grocery stores, and Chinese establishments among the ornate and exotically crafted architecture. There is even an authentic Chinese theme park that recreates the golden period of 1920’s Shanghai – eight stories of souvenir shops, restaurants, live Kyogeki performances, and Niko concerts.

Minato Mirai 21, meaning Port Future 21, began as a large urban development project on Yokohama’s waterfront. It features many attractions like the Landmark Tower, Japan’s tallest skyscraper, the Queen’s Square shopping mall, and the Pacifico convention center and hotel.

Even Yokohama is not without its own curiosities, like its Ramen and Curry museums, devoted to the popular noodle dishes and detailing everything from their history, how they are prepared, and, naturally, several restaurants that serve up the bowls in question.

Within the nearby area is the city of Kamakura, known for its many temples and shrines. It’s most famous attraction is Kotokuin and its huge outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha. When a 15th Century tsunami destroyed the temple that had once housed the Great Buddha, the statue still survived and has remained outdoors ever since.