Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Yokohama?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Yokohama?
Most visitors spend one to two days in Yokohama when visiting. The colorful city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, the food, and the nightlife.
Yokohama is not far from Tokyo, and it's the second largest city in the country. It was home to the first international port in Japan, which opened in 1859. It is also where you'll find the largest Chinatown in the country, as well as several great amusement parks, gardens, aquariums, and parks.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Yokohama? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Yokohama?
Three days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Yokohama. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Yokohama as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 3 days in Yokohama
Don't miss the Yokohama Chinatown during your trip to Yokohama, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shinjuku Izakaya Food Tour ($111)
- Japanese Whisky Tasting Experience at Local Bar in Tokyo ($169)
- Tokyo Allstar Food Tour ($245)
Yokohama is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Yokohama, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Cup Noodles Museum Tour with Guide in Yokohama ($66)
- Ramen Museum Guided Tour in Shin Yokohama ($51)
- Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum and Chinatown Guided Tour ($96)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl ($26)
The public transit in Yokohama is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.
Because Yokohama is a fairly large destination, you can spend at least a full day exploring the many neighborhoods, landmarks, and popular attractions found around town. It's the capital of the Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in the country. It's also where you'll find the largest Chinatown in all of Japan.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Cruise Port to Tokyo city hotels ($97)
- JDM Car Cruise: Daikoku-Rainbow Bridge-Akihabara-Autobacs-Skytree ($195)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Yokohama.
Is 4 days enough time in Yokohama?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Yokohama at your own pace to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, taste delicious cuisine, and grab some drinks at a bar. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Yokohama, Japan
How to spend 4 days in Yokohama
If you have more than 4 days in Yokohama, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in Yokohama is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Souvenir Shopping and Wagyu Lunch in Ginza ($93)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Yokohama?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Yokohama has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Yokohama as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the food at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Yokohama
Having 5 days in Yokohama will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of Yokohama, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Yokohama.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Yokohama, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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