Yokohama 1 day itinerary (Sankei-en, Yamate/Motomachi, Harbor View Park, Yamashita Park)

A vast garden with ancient buildings of high historic value that were transported from all over the country. The area is also beautiful even with the changing of the seasons and as you take a walk here, you will be able to fully appreciate the best in Japanese architecture. In the afternoon, head for the Yamate area which has all the atmosphere of a port city. Board the bus at the stop “Honmoku” located some 10 minutes’ walk away from Sankei-en and ride it to JR Negishi Station. There, transfer to the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line and get off at Ishikawa-cho.

Take a walk through Yamate and Motomachi, a quiet residential area and trading port district with old Western-style buildings and churches. For lunch, it’s recommended to have it in the vicinity of JR Ishikawa-cho Station which is the starting point of your walking tour. At the station’s “Chinatown Exit”, you can partake in Chinese cuisine, while at the “Motomachi Exit”, you can have Western cuisine at the cafés and Italian restaurants among other establishments. The tour of the Yamate area begins from the “Motomachi Exit”.

This is a symbolic tourist spot in Yokohama, an area of Western buildings where the Italian consulate had been constructed in the 19th century. In addition to the Italian-style garden, you can also visit Bluff No. 18 and the Diplomat’s House among other buildings that had been moved into this area. Following your visit to Yamate Italian Garden, drop by the Sacred Heart Cathedral before making your way to Motomachi Park.

Head for Motomachi Park where a number of Western buildings were moved and preserved. You can tour three of the buildings that were built at the beginning of the 20th century including the Ehrismann Residence, the former home of Fritz Ehrismann who was a Yokohama leader in the raw silk trading industry and Berrick Hall which was the residence of B.R. Berrick, an English trader. Walk along the side of the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery to reach Harbor View Park.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll in a park on a small hill where you can get a panoramic view of Yokohama Bay. Bluff No. 111, a Western-style building in the park which was built in the early 20th century has a basement which has been turned into a café so it is a good place to rest.

For the final stage of the walk, head to Yamashita Park to enjoy the scenery of the waterfront area as dusk turns to night. Board the Sea Bass from the pier to head to the East Exit of JR Yokohama Station (the trip will take about 15 minutes). The area around the station has a huge shopping center including a department store. Also, by the West Exit, there are many ramen shops that are recommended including Yoshimura-ya, the birthplace of Iekei ramen, a Yokohama specialty.