Yokohama Chinatown is the tastiest reason to visit Japan’s second-largest city, just 30 minutes or so from central Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture. Yokohama grew up as one of the first ports opened to foreign trade in 1859, and that international history still shapes its food, waterfront and neighborhoods. This guide pairs three easy outings: eating your way through Chinatown, exploring the Minato Mirai waterfront and its playful Cupnoodles Museum, and a day trip to Enoshima, a small island on the Shonan coast with shrines, caves and sunset views.
1. Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown (Chukagai) is the largest Chinatown in Japan, with roughly 500 restaurants and shops packed into a compact grid of streets marked by colorful gates. The community dates back to the opening of the port in 1859, when Chinese merchants settled here, and today it is one of the most popular food destinations in the Tokyo area. Graze on steamed pork buns (nikuman), soup dumplings, roasted chestnuts and sesame balls from takeout windows, or sit down for dim sum — many restaurants display menus and plastic food samples outside, which makes ordering easy without Japanese. Step into the ornate Kanteibyo temple in the middle of the district for a quick look at its gilded interior. Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line puts you right at the edge of the district, and Ishikawacho Station on the JR line is also close. Come hungry around lunchtime on a weekday to avoid the longest lines; Lunar New Year in early February brings lion and dragon dances.
2. Minato Mirai & the Cupnoodles Museum
Minato Mirai is Yokohama’s modern waterfront, a walkable district of skyscrapers, harbor promenades, the Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel and the historic Red Brick Warehouse, now filled with shops and cafes. The standout for families and food lovers is the Cupnoodles Museum, which tells the story of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen. At the My CUPNOODLES Factory you design your own cup, choose a soup and toppings, and take home a custom package; the Chicken Ramen Factory lets you make instant noodles from scratch and is best booked in advance. Admission is 500 yen for adults (high school students and younger are free), the museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and it is closed on Tuesdays. It is a short walk from Minatomirai or Bashamichi Station. After dark, walk along the waterfront for some of the best skyline views in the Tokyo area.
3. Enoshima Island
Enoshima is a small, hilly island connected to the Shonan coast by a bridge, and it makes an easy day trip from Yokohama or Tokyo. Walk across from Katase-Enoshima Station, then climb the shop-lined lane to Enoshima Shrine, dedicated to Benzaiten, a goddess of music, art and good fortune. At the top, the Enoshima Sea Candle observation lighthouse offers views over Sagami Bay and, on clear days, Mount Fuji — it is especially popular at sunset. On the far side of the island, the Iwaya Caves are sea-carved caverns with small shrines and lantern-lit passages. The local specialty is shirasu (tiny whitebait), served raw or boiled over rice as shirasu-don. From Shinjuku, the Odakyu Romancecar reaches Katase-Enoshima in about 70 minutes, and the Enoden line links Enoshima with Kamakura, so you can combine the two in one day.
Where to Stay in Yokohama
Where to stay: Minato Mirai & KannaiHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Minato Mirai and the Kannai/Yamashita Park area are the best bases in Yokohama: both are a short walk or one or two stops from Chinatown and the waterfront, and the Minatomirai Line runs directly to Shibuya via through trains on the Tokyu Toyoko Line.
Luxury
InterContinental Yokohama Grand is the sail-shaped landmark on the Minato Mirai waterfront, with harbor-view rooms that look out over the bay, the Ferris wheel and the skyline.
InterContinental Yokohama Grand
Iconic waterfront hotel with harbor and skyline views.
Mid-Range
Hotel New Grand is a classic hotel that opened in 1927 facing Yamashita Park, with old-world style and an easy walk to Chinatown and the harbor promenade.
Historic 1927 hotel by the harbor, walking distance to Chinatown.
Budget-Friendly
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yokohama-Sakuragicho is a practical, good-value business hotel near Sakuragicho Station, a short walk from Minato Mirai and a few minutes by train from Chinatown.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yokohama-Sakuragicho
Good-value hotel near Sakuragicho Station and Minato Mirai.
Compare prices before you book
Hotels in Yokohama on Booking.com
Yokohama hotels often cost less than comparable rooms in central Tokyo, and the waterfront is at its best after dark.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Chinatown, Yamashita Park and Minato Mirai are all walkable along the waterfront, so plan one relaxed loop on foot.
- The Cupnoodles Museum is closed on Tuesdays (or the following day when Tuesday is a holiday).
- Many Chinatown snacks are takeout only; carry cash for small stalls and keep your trash until you find a bin.
- For Enoshima, wear good shoes — the island is steep with lots of stairs.
- Combine Enoshima with Kamakura by riding the Enoden line between them.
Getting there by train: Yokohama is about 30 minutes from Tokyo or Shibuya by train, and it has a Shinkansen stop at Shin-Yokohama. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and see our guide to getting from Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yokohama worth visiting from Tokyo?
Yes. Yokohama is close enough for a half or full day trip and offers a different feel from Tokyo, with Japan’s largest Chinatown, a walkable harbor and good-value hotels.
What should I eat in Yokohama Chinatown?
Steamed pork buns, soup dumplings, dim sum, sesame balls and roasted chestnuts are classic picks. Many shops sell snacks from street-facing windows, so you can sample several places.
Do I need a reservation for the Cupnoodles Museum?
General entry does not usually require a reservation, but the hands-on Chicken Ramen Factory is best booked in advance, and weekends and school holidays can be busy.
How do I get from Yokohama to Enoshima?
Take a train toward Fujisawa and transfer to the Enoden line or the Odakyu Enoshima Line. Enoshima is also easy to combine with Kamakura via the Enoden.
