2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the port of Yokohama to the world. This city grew from a small fishing village of 100 houses into a multi-cultural metropolis of 3.69 million residents, as well as an industrial and trade center. Back in 1859, the United States signed a treaty with the empire to begin trade, and the European nations followed suit in establishing their own trade agreements during the succeeding years. Hence, it is no exaggeration to say that the opening of Yokohama led to the modernization of Japan. The commemoration ceremony, the first in a series of major activities throughout the year, will occur on May 31. A trip to Yokohama this year would not only put you in the midst of the festivities, but gives you an opportunity to explore a globalized city a century before the concept gained prominence.

Where else to begin a tour of this cosmopolitan city but in Yokohama Chinatown, the largest of its kind in Japan and one of the largest Chinese communities in the world. Four colorful gates guard the entrances to Chinatown, while the Kanteibyo, a temple devoted to the Chinese God of Good Business and Prosperity, stands at the center. One part of the community hosts an wide array of restaurants, serving customers across the economic spectrum. A more recent attraction in Chinatown is Daska, a food park with three floors of food stands that infused with a 1920’s Shanghai theme. A short distance from Chinatown is Bay Stars Stadium, a fun place to watch baseball in Japan. Built on the former grounds of the Cricket Ballpark by the British delegation, this open-air stadium chooses to line its field with natural grass instead of the artificial alternative, to give it a truly American sports-feel.

The tallest building in Japan happens to be right at the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama. The Landmark Tower stands at 295.8 meters in height, and houses a hotel, clubs, restaurants, shops, and clinics among its floors, including one of five wildly popular Pokemon centers in Japan. There is also the Sky Garden, an observatory on the 69th floor where you can get a 360 degree view of the city as well as Mount Fuji on clear days. Minato Mirai 21 itself is a futuristic district that is built on reclaimed land, and hosts a multitude of shopping centers and dining establishments.

You can continue your tour on heritage sites with Sankei-en Park, which is designed in the style of a traditional park (Teien), with many traditional buildings, ponds, bonsai exhibit, plum blossom trees (ume) and historical structures. The land on which this park resides was donated by a wealthy silk mercant in the 20th century. Located southeast of Naka Ward, the park is 35 minutes by bus from Yokohama Station. Another heritage site is Yamate, a residential community that is reserved for foreigners. Sizable mansions and the scenic Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery make for a memorable stroll. If you want to combine your love for food with your love for history, then head to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. With its exhibits on the development of ramen through the years, the Museum’s centerpiece is the meticulously detailed Tokyo of the 1950’s, complete with ramen shops. It is a 5-minute walk away from Shin-Yokohama Station.

If you are traveling with your family, then Yokohama has two places that are perfect for you. Hakkeijima Seaparadise is so large it contains its own island, and is fittingly the home for thousands of marine species. The aquarium is three stories tall, and contains an aqua-escalator which takes you from the surface to the depth of the saltwater habitat. There are also regular performances by seals and dolphins, a surf coaster which meanders throughout the island, and twilight visits in which the entire facility is set alight at night, setting a fine atmosphere for a romantic stroll. Yokohama Cosmo World, on the other hand, is a small theme park near Minato Mirai 21 which boasts of the world’s largest clock: the Cosmo Clock 21, a 112.5 meter ferris wheel wherein the 60 arms double as second hands. Two roller coasters, a log plume ride, and several other attractions complete the experience.

There are no local airports in Yokohama; the two airports at Tokyo are the closest to the city. The Tokoyo line is the most affordable of the dozen or so railways serving the Tokyo-Yokohama route. There is always the bullet train (Shinkansen) if you are in a hurry. And if you can’t travel to the city this memorable year, there’s always the 200th anniversary in 2059.

Posted in Guides, Japan

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