A park built from the debris of an earthquake is a famous place for roses
Yamashita Park was built as a recovery project from the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. 70,000㎡ of waterfront rubble were buried to create the park, a fact that is not well known. The view of the moored Hikawa Maru and Yokohama Bay Bridge is popular, day or night. The park is also famous for its roses of which approximately 400 plants of 60 types are planted in flower beds.
Plenty of sightseeing spots around Yamashita Park
Osanbashi Pier is the home of the Yokohama International Passenger Terminal where large-scale cruise liners dock. The rooftop plaza has wood decking and grass while the 2nd floor has restaurants, a hall and the departure lobby. The terminal is open 24 hours a day so it’s also popular as a spot to view the nightscape.
The NYK Hikawa Maru is a large passenger vessel docked in front of Yamashita Park. Until 1960, it was in actual operation in the northern Pacific and was called The Queen of the Pacific due to its beautiful appearance. With admission, it is possible to tour the interior where you will be taken by its Art Deco style and feel the atmosphere of an elegant cruise. Yokohama Marine Tower rises 106m in height and was built in 1961 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yokohama Bay. It was renovated in 2009 and has an observation deck, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, a café and other establishments. The Hotel New Grand is a classic hotel that is more than 80 years old. The 2nd floor lobby of the main building that retains its classic atmosphere can be visited by tourists. Within this atmosphere, you can view Yamashita Park through the windows. It’s also an ideal venue to take a break in its cafés and restaurants.