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City guide · Updated June 2026
AsiaJapan35.5° · 139.5°

Yokohama,Japan.

Japan's historic port city where waterfront modernity meets deep multicultural roots.

Urban ExplorerCultural EnthusiastFoodieDigital NomadFamily-Friendly
Yokohama · JPYokohama
YokohamaJapan
★
Haneda Airport (HND) — ~30 min by Keikyu Line; Narita International Airport (NRT) — ~90 min by Narita ExpressNEAREST AIRPORT
Population
3,836,589.3
Total residents
Global rank
#52
Wanderlust index
Best time
Spring (March–May) for cherry…
Peak window
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Local time
Currency
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Money in use
Language
Japanese
Spoken locally
01 · Overview

About Yokohama

Japan's historic port city where waterfront modernity meets deep multicultural roots.

Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city, home to over three million people and one of the world's most storied international ports. First opened to foreign trade in 1859, it grew rapidly from a fishing village into a cosmopolitan metropolis credited with Japanese "firsts" — from the country's first gas lamps and newspaper to its first bakery and ice cream. Today the Minato Mirai 21 waterfront district, Asia's largest Chinatown, historic Sankeien Garden, and a world-class ramen museum make it a destination in its own right, not merely a Tokyo day-trip.

02 · Wanderlust scorecard

How Yokohama scores

Ratings run 0 to 5 unless marked. They come from our AI-assisted research and are refreshed on a rolling basis.
2
/ 5
Cost of living
Affordability, 0–5. Higher means cheaper.
4
/ 5
Leisure
Leisure rating, 0–5.
22
Mbps
Connectivity
Median internet speed.
5
/ 5
Safety
Safety rating, 0–5. Higher is safer.
4
/ 5
Overall livability
Overall rating, 0–5.
4
/ 5
Air quality
Air-quality rating, 0–5. Higher is cleaner.
8.2
index
Index score
Wanderlust ranking, 0–10: overall, safety, internet, cost, leisure and air quality, weighted.
03 · Weather & when to go

Best time to visit Yokohama

Current weather and the forecast, and the months our research rates best for a visit.

Month by month

Best months Either side Other months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sweet spot: Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and mild temperatures, and autumn (September–November) for clear skies and vibrant foliage. Both seasons avoid the oppressive summer heat and typhoon risk..

More cities for these months: Where to go in March · Where to go in April · Where to go in May · Where to go in September · Where to go in October · Where to go in November

04 · Things to do

Things to do in Yokohama

Top sights from our AI-assisted research, and other places we have photos of.
Top sight
Top sight

Minato Mirai 21 & Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel

Top sight
Top sight

Sankeien Garden

Top sight
Top sight

Yamashita Park & Osanbashi Pier

Top sight
Top sight

Landmark Tower Sky Garden

05 · Monthly cost of living

Cost of living in Yokohama

Estimated monthly totals in USD from our AI-assisted research, one per profile. Treat them as a starting point for a budget, not a quote.
$3,745
estimated monthly spend · USD
ProfileExpat

Price references — vs. profile benchmarks

Nomadmonthly spend · USD
$2,807
-25%
Expatmonthly spend · USD
$3,745
baseline
Familymonthly spend · USD
$6,582.6
+76%
Localmonthly spend · USD
$1,767.4
-53%
Median fiber speeddownload · Mbps
22
Mbps
06 · Neighborhoods

Where to stay in Yokohama

Neighborhoods our AI-assisted research lists as popular with visitors.
Minato Mirai
Chinatown / Yamashita
Bashamichi / Kannai
Motomachi / Yamate
07 · Insider tips

Sights and neighbourhoods, with a tip each.

Practical tips on places from this Yokohama guide, written with AI. One is free; Pro members see the rest. Double-check details before you go.

Insider tips · Wanderlust Pro

Practical tips on the sights and neighbourhoods in this Yokohamaguide — when to go, what most visitors miss. Written with AI about the guide's own places; double-check details before you go. Pro members see every tip.

08 · Practical notes

Practical information for Yokohama

The essentials from this guide's data, in one place.
01

Getting there

  • Nearest airport — Haneda Airport (HND) — ~30 min by Keikyu Line; Narita International Airport (NRT) — ~90 min by Narita Express
02

Money

  • Currency — Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • Affordability — 2/5 on the Wanderlust index (higher is cheaper)
03

Internet

  • Median speed — 22 Mbps
  • Internet score — 5/5
04

Safety

  • Safety score — 5/5 from our AI-assisted research
05

Language

  • Primary language — Japanese
06

Timing

  • Best window — Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and mild temperatures, and autumn (September–November) for clear skies and vibrant foliage. Both seasons avoid the oppressive summer heat and typhoon risk.
  • Time zone — Asia/Tokyo
Questions

Frequently asked, plainly answered.

The quick answers travelers want before they commit to flights, neighborhoods, and how long to stay.

Is Yokohama safe for travelers?
+
Yokohama has a safety rating of 5 out of 5.
What is the best time to visit Yokohama?
+
The best time to visit Yokohama is Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and mild temperatures, and autumn (September–November) for clear skies and vibrant foliage. Both seasons avoid the oppressive summer heat and typhoon risk..
How expensive is Yokohama?
+
Yokohama has an affordability score of 2 out of 5, where 5 is most affordable.
What is the internet speed in Yokohama?
+
Yokohama has an average internet speed of 22 Mbps.
What currency does Yokohama use?
+
The currency used in Yokohama is Japanese Yen (JPY).
What language is spoken in Yokohama?
+
The primary language spoken in Yokohama is Japanese.
Researched city guide

Getting there, getting around and when to go

Written with AI-assisted web research. Where we have sources, they are listed under each part.

What works

  • Extremely safe city with very low crime rates
  • World-class waterfront, gardens, and museums within easy walking distance of each other
  • Direct, fast, and cheap train access from Haneda Airport (~30 min, ~¥400)
  • Rich multicultural history — largest Chinatown in Japan plus preserved Western-era districts
  • Slightly more affordable and less crowded than central Tokyo
  • Excellent family-friendly options including free Nogeyama Zoo and bay cruises

What to weigh

  • Overall cost of living is high by global standards
  • Limited English signage outside of the main tourist zones
  • Summer humidity and typhoon risk (June–September) can disrupt plans
  • Many key museums and attractions charge per-entry fees that add up
  • Less vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene compared to Tokyo
Getting in

How to arrive

Haneda Airport (HND) is the easiest gateway. The Keikyu Line runs directly to Yokohama Station in about 30 minutes with no transfers, costing just ¥397 with an IC card (roughly ¥400 with a paper ticket). A limousine bus from Haneda also runs to Yokohama Station/YCAT and Minato Mirai stops in about 30–40 minutes. From Narita Airport (NRT), the Narita Express (N'EX) runs direct to Yokohama Station in approximately 90 minutes; tickets average around USD $28–$34. A shuttle bus from Narita takes roughly the same time. From central Tokyo (Shinjuku), the Shōnan-Shinjuku Line reaches Yokohama in just over 30 minutes for ¥580. From Osaka, take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Shin-Yokohama Station in about 2 hours 40 minutes.

Getting around

Moving through the city

Yokohama's local transit is efficient and affordable. The Yokohama Municipal Subway has two lines — the Blue Line (north–south, linking Shin-Yokohama, Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho, and Kannai) and the Green Line (west–east). The subway base fare starts at ¥210 for the first 3 km. City buses run on about 140 routes with a flat fare of ¥220 for adults. For day-trippers, the Minato Burari Ticket (¥550) covers unlimited bus and subway rides including major tourist spots such as Minato Mirai 21, Yamashita Park, and Chinatown. A One-Day Bus & Subway Pass is available for ¥830. Load a Suica or PASMO IC card for tap-and-go travel on all lines — these are accepted on buses, subways, and the private Minato Mirai Line. The city's official 'my route' app supports digital one-day passes and route planning. For sightseers, the Akai Kutsu tourist bus loops key waterfront attractions at the same ¥220 flat fare. Walking between Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yamashita Park is easy and scenic.

When to go

Timing your trip

Spring (March–May) is Yokohama's most celebrated season — mild temperatures of 52–66°F make strolling the waterfront and Sankeien Garden ideal, and late March to early April brings stunning cherry blossoms. Autumn (September–November) is equally rewarding, with cool, clear days of 58–66°F, golden ginkgo trees lining Nihon Odori street, and vivid autumn foliage. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid (73–83°F) with a higher chance of typhoons and heavy rainfall — fine if you enjoy fireworks and festivals, but dress lightly and prepare for rain. Winter (December–February) is cold and dry (45–48°F), quiet by comparison, but the illuminations season sparkles across the city and surrounding Kanagawa region. Cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons are the most visited periods — book accommodation early.

Plan your trip

3 days in Yokohama: a sample itinerary

A ready-made starting point. Make it your own — clone it into an editable journey and reshape every stop.
Day 01

Day 1: Waterfront & Minato Mirai

Morning

Arrive via Keikyu Line from Haneda and check in near Sakuragicho or Minato Mirai. Start with the iconic Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga) — browse its shops, cafes, and harbor views from the third-floor balcony.

Afternoon

Walk along the waterfront to Osanbashi Pier for sweeping bay views, then head to Yamashita Park. Board an afternoon bay cruise to see Yokohama's skyline from the water.

Evening

Ride the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel at dusk for panoramic city lights, then enjoy dinner at a harborside restaurant in Minato Mirai 21.

Day 02

Day 2: Chinatown, History & Gardens

Morning

Take the Minato Mirai Line to Motomachi-Chukagai Station and spend the morning grazing through Yokohama Chinatown — the largest in Japan, with over 600 restaurants and food stalls. Try dim sum and custard buns for breakfast.

Afternoon

Stroll up to the Yamate district to see preserved 19th-century Western residences and the Yokohama Archives of History (former British consulate, built 1931). Then take a bus south to Sankeien Garden for a tranquil afternoon among historic buildings, teahouses, and a three-story pagoda.

Evening

Return to Noge for dinner at an atmospheric local izakaya in the cozy pub district west of Sakuragicho Station.

Day 03

Day 3: Ramen, Culture & Shinyokohama

Morning

Head to Shinyokohama on the Blue Line to visit the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum — an underground replica 1958 food hall where you can sample regional ramen styles from across Japan.

Afternoon

Return downtown and spend the afternoon at the CupNoodles Museum in Minato Mirai, where you can design your own instant ramen cup. Afterwards, explore the BankART1929 gallery and dockside creative hub for contemporary art and local culture.

Evening

Catch the Sea-Bass ferry along the waterfront for one final view of the illuminated skyline, then head to Yokohama Station for shopping at Takashimaya or Sogo before departing.

Work-ready layer

Coworking spots and laptop-friendly anchors.

Real coworking spaces, laptop-friendly cafés, and libraries mapped near the center of the city — the closest, best-rated desks first.

Spots surfaced0
Categories—
Mapped0

No coworking-ready spots surfaced for this city yet.

Map pending

No mapped workspace points yet.

Pick a different category or check back once we’ve indexed more desks for this city.

Concierge

Ask the Yokohama concierge.

Share your travel style, must-see spots, or work schedule and the concierge will help turn this guide into something personal.
Personal trip brief

Tell it what kind of trip you're trying to have, and it will tighten the plan.

01
Travel style

Ask for cafés, quiet neighborhoods, date-night spots, or a first 48-hour plan.

02
Work constraints

Mention calls, Wi-Fi needs, or how much of the day has to stay laptop-friendly.

03
Real tradeoffs

Get faster answers on where to stay, when to move neighborhoods, and what to skip.

Traveler reviews

Reviews of Yokohama

Written by signed-in Wanderlust members. We don't check that a reviewer has visited.

No reviews of Yokohama yet.

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