Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city, its population almost half of Tokyo’s. The two cities are also just right next to each other, so close that some of their subway systems are linked to one another. This is the reason why I really had to look for more info whether Yokohama’s Minatomirai line would be covered by the 24h/48h/72h Tokyo Metro Pass. Apparently not. There are alternatives on offer, some giving you a day pass of Yokohama’s Minatomirai line along with a return trip to a station in Tokyo. I ended up just paying for my fares separately.
A one-way ticket on Tokyo’s brown Fukutoshin line costs JPY690 (~PHP270). Double that to get the roundtrip fare. You either get off at Yokohama station and transfer to the Minatomirai subway or the bus line, but most of the time the Fukutoshin becomes the Minatomirai line and just goes all the way to the last station. This was the case the day and time I went. In my case, I was only going to be seeing the attractions spread out a few blocks away from Minatomirai station, so I decided to just get off there.
As you exit the station, you will see Cosmoworld’s ferris wheel in the background at once. This theme park appears to be one of Yokohama’s biggest tourist draws, and I guess we can thank the accessible location for that. The premises straddles the area right across the street from Minatomirai station and on the opposite shore of the island which is technically on the Pacific. You will also find some rides on the peninsula jutting out to the sea sandwiched between those two. Both are easily reached through bridges.
Cosmoworld is an open-air theme park that requires no entrance fee. You instead pay for the rides separately. I can’t quite remember whether the fee for the ferris wheel was JPY1000 or JPY2000. Either way, that’s a reasonable price for a 15-minute ride granting sweeping panoramic views of Yokohama’s urban sprawl. I opted out because the lines were long, and the sea was calling me. Other rides I saw there were a water log jam ride as well as a rollercoaster or two. The place is teeming with people as it is a family-friendly venue. Perfect for the kids! Just make sure to keep an eye on them so as not to lose them in the crowd.
Cross the street and you will end up at a mall called World Porters where you can hang out and choose among the many food options or just chill there for refuge from the hot weather aside. Cross the street to the other side and you will end up at the Cup Noodle Museum, which offers activities like making your own cup noodle, although I heard that this activity gets fully booked quite quickly. You might want to reserve your slot in advance. Cosmoworld, World Porters, and the Cup Noodle Museum form an inverted upside down L on the map. You just have to cross the street. Yup, very walkable.
As for me, I spent most of my time at the Cup Noodle Museum park, which is right by the shoreline on the other side of the museum. From there, Pacifico’s weird looking building is very visible and often serves as a backdrop for most photos and selfies of the area. Next to that convention area along the horizon is the green and white facade of Pukarisanbashi Pier’s Pier 21, a ferry terminal which I suppose offers several routes for island hopping. This is Japan’s coast facing the Pacific after all. This area provides some semblance of serenity despite the multitude of people, perhaps owing to the waves gently slapping the shore.
After this, you need to walk a few blocks to get to Akarenga Park where Yokohama’s red brick buildings are located. The area is also full of people, but there is enough space for everyone. The area is overlooking the pier where most cruises that include Yokohama as a pit stop dock, which gives you a good background of the Pacific Ocean with a ship parked in the foreground. The red brick buildings evoke a different kind of feel, rather out of place as if you were suddenly in another continent.
Walking a few more blocks south leads to Yokohama’s Chinatown, which is touted as the largest in the country. I wanted to go for a legit plate of fried rice but I was out of time. If you ever find yourself spending an entire day in Yokohama, I suggest you get lunch at Chinatown or maybe end your day there with a nice dinner. I suppose the scenery would be ethereal with all the bright lights and lanterns in the dark. To return to Tokyo, just locate the nearest subway station. Connecting with either Minatomirai or Yokohama station gives you several options for the return trip to the capital.
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