Things to do in Yokohama

Yokohama is one of Japan’s most vibrant port cities, known for its modern waterfront, historical districts, creative museums, and relaxed sightseeing atmosphere. Travellers exploring with Thrillophilia’s Japan tour packages often spend a day or two in Yokohama to enjoy its spacious parks, panoramic viewpoints, and unique cultural attractions. From seaside promenades to lively food streets and hands-on experiences, the city offers something enjoyable for every kind of visitor looking for the best things to do in Yokohama.

The city’s iconic Minato Mirai district is a major highlight, filled with observation decks, shopping complexes, an amusement park, museums, and bayside dining spots. Families enjoy theme parks and aquariums, while culture lovers explore heritage sites, artistic museums, and neighbourhoods influenced by early foreign trade. Food lovers can stroll through Chinatown, ramen museums, and waterfront cafés. Because the city is compact and well-connected, it is easy to explore most top things to do in Yokohama in a single day.

Many travellers planning Yokohama tour packages appreciate how the city balances history with modern attractions without overwhelming crowds. Whether you prefer illuminated night views, harbour cruises, creative museums, or relaxed gardens, Yokohama delivers a variety of fun things to do in Yokohama, making it one of Japan’s most rewarding urban destinations.

Best Things to Do in Yokohama

1. Take a Yokohama Bay Cruise

A Yokohama Bay Cruise lets travellers explore the harbour from the water, passing the Bay Bridge, Minato Mirai skyline, and industrial port zones. Sightseeing decks offer wide-angle photography spots, while audio guides explain the city’s maritime development and global trade history. Evening cruises are especially popular because the illuminated Ferris wheel, waterfront towers, and ship lights create a dramatic night view. Travellers searching for the best things to do in Yokohama enjoy this activity for its calm pace and rich visual experience. Multiple cruise operators offer 30 to 60 minute routes suitable for families and first-time visitors.

Departure Point: Yamashita Pier or Osanbashi Pier

Timings: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm (varies by operator)

2. Try Ramen-Making at the Cup Noodles Museum

The Cup Noodles Museum offers a hands-on ramen-making workshop where you knead dough, cut noodles, and prepare your own instant noodle cup. Exhibits explain Momofuku Ando’s innovations, showing how freeze-drying, flavour development, and packaging changed global food culture. Visitors looking for fun things to do in Yokohama enjoy decorating their noodle cups and choosing unique flavour combinations. The My Cup Noodles Factory is especially loved by families because every participant gets a custom-made box to take home. The workshop is supervised, informative, and perfect for both kids and adults interested in food science.

Address: 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka Ward

Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed Tuesdays)

3. Ride the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel

Riding the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel gives travellers a slow panoramic view of Minato Mirai’s skyline, Yokohama Bay Bridge, and nearby cruise terminals. The gondolas rise high above the waterfront, making it an ideal experience for sunset or night photography. Many visitors list this among the top things to do in Yokohama because the ride combines soft lighting, smooth motion, and sweeping city views that feel relaxing rather than thrilling. Special transparent gondolas are available for travellers who enjoy open views. The Ferris wheel lighting also changes seasonally, creating different moods throughout the year.

Address: Cosmo World, Minato Mirai

Timings: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

4. Walk the Yamashita Park Seaside Promenade

A walk along the Yamashita Park promenade lets travellers enjoy sea breezes, open lawns, flower gardens, and uninterrupted views of ships entering the harbour. The route passes the Hikawa Maru ocean liner, seafront sculptures, and photo spots overlooking the bay. Travellers searching for quiet, scenic best things to do in Yokohama choose this walk because the area is spacious, calm, and ideal for morning or sunset strolls. Street performers appear on weekends, and seasonal rose gardens add colour for photography. The promenade works well for solo travellers, couples, and families.

Address: 279 Yamashita-cho, Naka Ward

Timings: Open 24 hours

5. Explore Food Streets in Yokohama Chinatown

Chinatown’s food streets let visitors try steamed buns, dim sum, roast chestnuts, mooncakes, spicy soups, and dessert stalls. Travellers can follow recommended tasting routes that include popular bakeries, seasonal sweets, and regional Chinese dishes unique to Yokohama. The district’s temples, gates, and lantern-lit alleys create a lively backdrop for food exploration. Many visitors searching for fun things to do in Yokohama enjoy hopping between eateries and photographing ornate shopfronts. This activity works well for food lovers who want a flexible, flavour-focused experience rather than a structured tour.

Address: Yamashita-cho, Naka Ward

Timings: 10:00 am to late night (varies by restaurant)

6. Take the Yokohama Sky Garden Observation Experience

The Sky Garden at Yokohama Landmark Tower gives travellers a high-altitude viewing experience from the 69th floor, where floor-to-ceiling glass panels showcase panoramic views of the bay, Minato Mirai, and Mount Fuji on clear days. Interactive panels explain the city’s architecture, allowing visitors to spot cruise terminals, business towers, and historic districts with ease. Many travellers list this among the best things to do in Yokohama because the elevator itself is a highlight, reaching the top in under 40 seconds. The observation space includes photo zones and a quiet café area ideal for evening visits.

Address: Landmark Tower, Minato Mirai

Timings: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

7. Explore Traditional Gardens at Sankeien

Sankeien Garden offers a calm walking route through ponds, wooden bridges, tea houses, and pagodas relocated from Kyoto and Kamakura. Travellers can join short tea experiences, watch seasonal blooms, and photograph restored historic structures reflected on the water. Visitors who enjoy heritage-focused activities often choose this as one of the top things to do in Yokohama because the garden explains traditional aesthetics through curated landscapes and cultural displays. Each section of the garden has signboards describing architectural origins, making the experience informative as well as scenic. It is ideal for travellers who prefer slow, quiet exploration.

Address: 58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka Ward

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

8. Join a Ramen Tasting Tour in Shin-Yokohama

Shin-Yokohama is known for specialty ramen shops where travellers can taste regional broths like Sapporo miso, Hakata tonkotsu, and Tokyo shoyu. Guided tours explain the ingredients, broth preparation, and noodle variations, helping visitors understand flavour profiles while sampling multiple styles. This activity is especially appealing for travellers who enjoy culinary discovery and consider food exploration one of the fun things to do in Yokohama during short trips. Many tours also include stops at retro-style ramen alleys that recreate Showa-era street culture. It is suitable for solo travellers, couples, and groups who enjoy structured 

Address: Shin-Yokohama Station Area

Timings: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm (varies by shop)

9. Visit the Red Brick Warehouse for Events and Workshops

The Red Brick Warehouse hosts craft workshops, seasonal events, live performances, and boutique markets inside restored 20th-century port buildings. Travellers can join pottery sessions, local craft classes, or small cultural demonstrations while browsing designer shops and artisanal stores. Many visitors looking for the best things to do in Yokohama enjoy the mix of creative activities and waterfront scenery that gives the space a relaxed, artistic atmosphere. Evening illumination and open plazas make it popular for casual photography. Seasonal events like winter markets or summer festivals add variety for repeat visitors.

Address: 1-1 Shinko, Naka Ward

Timings: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

10. Join a Brewery Tour at Kirin Beer Village

Kirin Beer Village offers guided tours explaining beer production, fermentation processes, and ingredient sourcing. Visitors can walk through brewing facilities, sample specialty batches, and learn tasting techniques from experts. The experience appeals to travellers searching for top things to do in Yokohama because the tour combines education with tasting sessions in a comfortable setting. Interactive exhibits and aroma comparison stations help visitors understand flavour differences. The village grounds also include gardens and indoor lounges, making it suitable for relaxed afternoon visits.

Address: 1-17-1 Namamugi, Tsurumi Ward

Timings: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (advance reservation recommended)

Also Read: 10 Days Japan Tour Packages