Job Discussion Forums

[brainmonster]

I'm leaving for Yokohama in a week and I have a general japan guide with some basic things to do in Yokohama. Also I've heard of a few things to do:

Chinatown
Sankeien
Minato Mirai
Ramen Museum
Doll Museum
Yamashita Park
Promenade

Anyone know of a good guidebook for yokohama in particular, specific places (I like art galleries, temples, restaurants).

Any specifics recs would be helpful if you've ever been there.

[southofreality]

Yamash.i.t.a Park, Chinatown, and Minatomirai can all be experienced in one afternoon. The view from the 69th floor of Landmark tower is worth the 1000 yen it takes to get up there, but Tokyo Tower is much better.

The area around Yokohama station as well as Sakuragi-cho and Kannai are OK for nightlife if you don't want to worry about the last train from Shibuya.

Honestly though, you're only going to be 45 minutes from Tokyo so you'll probably want to spend most of your time there. The imperial palace, Asakusa, and countless other places in Tokyo are more worth your time than Yokohama. Don't get me wrong, Yokohama is a great place to live, but...

[Brooks]

I don't know of a guidebook.
I wish there was one.

But I will mention that Oktoberfest starts September 29th, and goes until October 8th.

[Andru]

There is a guide book. It's called 'The Perfect Guide to Yokohama," published by YZ Co., LTD. I picked up my copy at the Kinokuniya bookstore in San Francisco long time ago. I've seen it at Kinokuniya bookstores in Tokyo too. In case you can't find it at a bookstore or get it through the internet before you leave, below is the publisher's address. Their phone number wasn't included, but maybe you can stop in the office and find out where you can buy the guidebook:

2nd Fl, MY Bldg
3-84 Hanasaki-cho,
Naka-ku, Yokohama

In addition to the previously mentioned places to go/see, near Chinatown is Motomachi, an upscale shopping street, which I think has a couple of art galleries. At the end of the street, in the direction of the bay, walk up the steep hill on the right to the area around Foreigner's Cemetery and Harbor View Park. The view from the park might not be as spectacular as the one from Landmark Tower, but it's pretty good, and free.

Before Landmark Tower, THE view to see from a man-made structure was at Marine Tower at Yamash'ta Park, but I heard it closed a few months ago.

Another popular shopping street is Isezaki-cho, and the Curry Museum is there, along with many other restaurants.

At Minato Mirai there is the Yokohama Museum of Art, which specializes in 20th century contemporary art.

For restaurants, though, probably Yokohama is best know for all the Chinese eateries, and one of the more popular nightclubs is Windjammer near Chinatown.

Oh, Sankeien is really nice, but other than that, Yokohama isn't known for the traditional stuff like temples. (So, if you want temples, go about a half hour south to Kamakura. There are plenty there, as well as the Daibutsu.)

And, in the slim chance you might have interest in the Japanese diaspora, there is a little-known but interesting place near the end of Bashamichi Street, close to the water, called the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum. It's on the 2nd floor of the JICA building and about a block from the end of the Kishamichi Promenade.

[gaijinalways]

I notice you left off the doll museum. That and Garlic Joes, a garlic restaurant is well worth visiting.

[southofreality]

[TokyoLiz]

Online, maybe have a look at http://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/index-e.html

[Andru]

[brainmonster]

Thanks for all the help guys - I'm actually going to be there for at least a month or so to visit friends.

Anyone know of music venues in Yokohama? Looking for indie/rock venues.

Also is there a place where (gasp) americans hang out? Not that I of coures want to hang out exclusively with them.