Introduction
A lot of people who come to live, study, or visit Japan mostly choose Tokyo as their desired destination — and I totally understand why. Tokyo is a vibrant city that never sleeps, full of things to do and places to explore. It’s a city of endless possibilities, and many Japanese people dream of living there as well.
But at the same time, being so overpopulated and touristy comes at a cost. While you can still find pockets of greenery and off-the-beaten-path spots that are calm and relaxing, for me, Tokyo often feels like a constant hustle. The trains are packed no matter the time of day, and many people seem overworked and exhausted.
By contrast, just a few dozen kilometers to the south lies Yokohama — a city that has absolutely stolen my heart and the place I now call home. Living here feels like being on holiday every single day.
Below, I want to introduce the things that have intrigued and captivated me about this city. Hopefully, you’ll feel inspired to visit Yokohama one day — or maybe even consider moving here 😊
Why Yokohama Deserves a Spot on Your Travel List
- The city offers stunning cityscapes, with plenty of amazing spots to enjoy the view. Yokohama’s night view, in particular, is considered one of the best in the entire country. From the iconic Minato Mirai area viewed from Kishamichi Promenade, to the Ferris wheel, Air Cabin, and Ōsanbashi Pier — the scenery is simply unforgettable.
2. There are so many attractions, festivals, and events happening in the city every week throughout the entire year. Around the Red Brick Warehouse, you can always find local festivals such as strawberry, craft beer, puppy festivals, and many more! Each season brings multiple concerts and events organized to celebrate the upcoming season — from momiji (autumn leaves) to Christmas, sakura, and summer.
3. On top of that, Yokohama is famous for its Sparkling Twilight event, with fireworks launched several times a month throughout the whole year! The fireworks, along with drone shows, are launched from three main bayside piers: Shinko Pier, Ōsanbashi Pier, and Yamashita Pier. You can see the fireworks very well from Nippon Maru Memorial Park and near the Red Brick Warehouse too!
4. Moving on to nature — which is probably one of the most important factors for me when it comes to traveling or choosing a place to live — Yokohama is one of the greenest cities in my eyes, especially considering how many buildings there are and how densely populated the area is. Despite being a highly industrialized area, the city’s exposure to the sea creates a sense of openness. The sea breeze flows in and out, refreshing the air and making you feel like you’re in a wide, open space.
Numerous green zones, parks, fields, and tree-lined streets create a cozy atmosphere that helps you recharge in nature and feel more energized in your daily life.
5. Last but not least, Yokohama has plenty of beautiful, stylish cafés, coffee shops, and restaurants. Japan, in general, is known for its cozy coffee spots, matcha places, and — surprisingly — its bread! You’ll find many great bakeries offering both sweet and savory options. I’ll leave some of my recommended coffee shops, cafés, and bakeries below, but honestly, there are just too many to count — and I haven’t even explored them all yet!
My Go-To Cafés and Bakeries in Yokohama🥐
- 花Lab.Nocturne 横浜元町店
- Hamabread Bakery
- AnRoom.Cafe
- Cafe Piccolo
- GRANNY SMITH APPLE PIE & COFFEE 横浜店
- ZEBRA Coffee & Croissant 横浜店（ゼブラ コーヒーアンドクロワッサン）
- VANILLA BEANS THE ROASTERY HAMMERHEAD／バニラビーンズ ザ ロースタリー ハンマーヘッド
- R Baker Minatomiraiten
- Lu’s CAFE ルーズカフェ 【貸切・パーティーご利用可】
- DREAM DOOR YOKOHAMA HAMMERHEAD
More photos
Final thoughts
Yokohama stole my heart when I came here for a one-day trip four years ago, and it still remains one of my favorite cities ever. I could talk for hours about all the amazing sights and things to do in this city, but how about coming here and seeing it with your own eyes to get a firsthand experience? ☺️
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out via email — I’m always happy to introduce more, or simply connect! 💬
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