Minato Mirai 21 is a large and modern business, entertainment and accommodation precinct located on Yokohama’s central waterfront. It is spread across two main areas – around Minato-Mirai Station and Rinko Park along with the island district of Shinko. Minato-Mirai Station and Sakuragicho Station are the nearest access points to the district, with the ‘Yokohama Air Cabin’ – a 635 metre long gondola – operating to the island from nearby Sakuragicho Park. The area includes multiple large buildings and towers with the InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel, Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu and Yokohama Royal Park Hotel, located on floors 59 to 70 of the Landmark Tower– some of the best accommodation in the city, affording fantastic views over the water.

Minato-Mirai station is served by multiple train lines. The Minatomirai Line connects Minato Mirai 21 station to Yokohama station where you can arrive in just 3 minutes. You can also use the same line to reach Motomachi-Chukagai station where Yokohama’s Chinatown is located. Minato-Mirai station offers direct services from the Tokyu Toyoku Line where you can travel to Shibuya without transferring in approximately 35 minutes. To reach Shinjuku however, travellers will need to transfer at Yokohama station or other stations during their journey such as Shibuya.

The precinct is particularly attractive night when its major buildings, ferris-wheel and other features are lit-up, imbuing the area with seductive atmosphere which attracts many visitors including couples from Tokyo, who head to Yokohama to indulge in an overnight stay at a high-end hotel combined with dinner at one of the many fine-dining restaurants in the area. Translating as ‘Harbour of the Future’, Minato Mirai 21 also includes multiple large buildings and towers, Yokohama Museum of Art, Cosmo World, the Cup Noodle Museum along with large shopping centres – such as Queen’s Square, Landmark Plaza, World Porters, and Marine & Walk Yokohama.

Yokohama itself is a popular place to live for the lifestyle it affords while also boasting some attractions of interest of international visitors. The city’s Chinatown is the largest and most famous in Japan, attracting countless visitors every day. The area is vibrant and boast numerous stores and restaurants, particularly colourful and busy in February for Chinese New Year. Sankei-en garden is one Japan’s most famous while Minato Marai 21 and Big Wharf / Osanbashi Pier highlight the city’s modern and energetic character. Yokohama’s famous red brick warehouse is also worth a visit, with many seasonal events being held throughout the year. If you’re in Japan during December and looking for a place to get into the Christmas spirit, the Warehouse hosts one of the largest and best Christmas markets around the Tokyo area!

For passengers arriving or departing Yokohama by cruise liner, staying in this area of the city is a great option given its proximity to Osanbashi Pier from which those cruises operate. Hotels in the area feature Western-style amenities, excellent restaurants and have English and other foreign language-speaking staff. Accommodation listings for other areas in Yokohama can be found through the following pages: Yokohama Station Area – Sakuraguchi Station Area — Kannai Station Area — Chinatown / Motomachi Area – Shin-Yokohama Station Area.