Best Places to Stay in Yokohama
Yokohama offers visitors plenty of accommodation including many large, Western-style hotels including international and high-end options. On this page you will find the following information:
— Recommended Places to Stay in Yokohama
— 20 Best Things to Do When Visiting Yokohama
Located to the south of the capital on Tokyo Bay, Yokohama has a long history as an important port city. One of the first areas of Japan to open to foreign traders following the country’s long period of self-isolation, Yokohama remains a hugely important trading port – a vibrant city that celebrates that heritage through its blend of historic and modern districts including its famous Chinatown – the largest such precinct of any city in Japan – along with the Yamamoto and Yamate district once populated by Westerner traders and diplomats and more modern developments including the popular bayside district of Minato Mirai 21.
Yokohama serves as a major port of international cruise liners that operate from the Osanbashi Pier, adjacent the Minato Mirai 21 district. As such, there are multiple large hotels in the area, including well-known international hotel chains, offering Western-style rooms, amenities, full concierge services along with English and other foreign language-speaking staff. With many rooms and restaurants affording fantastic views of the surrounding city and Tokyo Bay, these hotels are good options for travelers disembarking or embarking a cruise in Yokohama.
RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY IN YOKOHAMA
Yokohama is Japan’s second most populous city, offering plenty of accommodation options including several high-end, international hotels. In this section we provide information about accommodation in the following areas:
YOKOHAMA STATION AREA – SAKURAGICHO STATION AREA – KANNAI STATION AREA – MINATO MIRAI 21 / BAYSIDE AREA – CHINATOWN / MOTOMACHI AREA – SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION AREA
The areas discussed don’t account for all accommodation options in Yokohama but they do comprise the most popular and convenient places to stay when visiting Yokohama, starting with:
YOKOHAMA STATION AREA
Yokohama Station is one of several major stations in the city and a primary hub for anyone traveling to and from Tokyo using standard train lines*. Within easy reach of most of the city’s most popular attractions, Yokohama Station offers a good number of hotels mostly located in the area to its immediate west. The Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel is the best option in the area with several other large, Western-style hotels offering a range of room types at typically reasonable prices. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Yokohama Station Area’ hotel page.
*it should be noted that Yokohama Station is not serviced by a Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ line. Shin-Yokohama Station is the city’s only Shinkansen Station – see below for details.
SAKURAGICHO STATION AREA
Only 3 minutes from Yokohama Station by train, Sakuragicho Station and the surrounding precinct is another area in which you’ll find good accommodation options. Large hotels include Yokohama Sakuragicho Washington Hotel, New Otani and Hotel Resol Yokohama. Slightly more central than the Yokohama Station, staying around Sakuragicho Station provides easy access to the Minato Mirai 21 bayside district on-foot or via the Yokohama Air Cabin and puts you within walking distance of the popular Chinatown district – only 30 minutes on-foot. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Sakuragicho Station Area’ hotel page.
KANNAI STATION AREA
A little further along the line and only 5 minutes by train from Yokohama Station, the area around Kannai Station includes plenty of shopping, dining, nightlife and Yokohama Stadium. Also within walking distance of the popular Chinatown, Motomachi and Minato Mirai 21 districts, it’s considered one of the best areas to stay in Yokohama and offers the greatest concentration of accommodation of any area, especially for visitors looking for cheaper options. To the west of station, you’ll find plenty of mid-range to budget business hotels and basic lodges with prices typically lower than around Yokohama Station or Sakuragicho Station. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Kannai Station Area’ hotel page.
MINATO MIRAI 21 / BAYSIDE AREA
The Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama includes many of the city’s most popular attractions including Yokohama Museum of Art, Cosmo World, the Cup Noodle Museum along with large shopping centres – such as Queen’s Square, Landmark Plaza, World Porters, Marine & Walk Yokohama and Red Brick Warehouses. The area also 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. Spread over two areas – including the area around Minato-Mirai Station and Rinko Park along the island district of Shinko – it’s a great place to stay.
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. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Minato Mirai 21 / Bayside Area’ hotel page.
CHINATOWN / MOTOMACHI AREA
The historic Chinatown and Motomachi districts of Yokohama are located to the south of Minato Mirai 21 and to the east of Kannai Station. Most-easily accessed via Motomachi-Chukagai Station – less than 10 minutes by train from Yokohama Station – they are two of the city’s most popular destinations, offering a good range of accommodation. In the Chinatown district, you’ll find a similar range of hotels along with the high-end Hotel New Grand and Hyatt Regency looking over Yamashita Park toward Tokyo Bay. The Motomachi area offers fewer options but there are a couple dotted around the neighbourhood. Staying in this area makes most sense for travelers looking for budget options or the noted high-end options looking-out over the water. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Chinatown / Motomachi Area’ hotel page.
SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION AREA
Shin-Yokohama Station is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Osaka, making it one of the city’s major transport hubs. The station sits to the north of central Yokohama meaning that while it is not the most convenient area in terms of access to the city’s most popular attractions, it remains a good option for travelers arriving and departing by shinkansen with several hotels in the immediate vicinity of the station. Staying at any of those allows you to check-in and drop-off your bags before exploring the city, which is easily access using train services to Yokohama Station – under 10 minutes – or other stations including Kannai – under 15 minutes. Most accommodation around the station comes in the form of large, Western-style hotels with prices varying but usually economical. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Shin-Yokohama Station’ hotel page.
20 BEST THINGS TO DO WHEN VISITING YOKOHAMA
As Japan’s second most populous city, Yokohama is huge, sprawling and offers plenty for visitors to do. Mixing historic and modern attractions, the city’s close proximity to Tokyo – only 25 minutes by train – make Yokohama especially popular with Tokyoites and international visitors who flock to the city as an easy daytrip or overnight stay. Our ‘20 Things to Do Around Yokohama’ page includes our suggestions of the best attractions and activities on offer – a great place to start when planning your visit.
HOW TO GET TO YOKOHAMA
Located less than 30 minutes to the south of Tokyo using standard train services, Yokohama is easy to reach the capital with the faster option of using the Tokaido Shinkansen (‘Bullet Train’) – taking less than 20 minutes to reach Shin-Yokohama Station from Tokyo Station. Our ‘How to Get to Yokohama’ page has everything you need to know about getting there from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and beyond.
THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without also suggesting our top recommendations on things to do in nearby Tokyo as well. With Tokyo only being 45 minutes away by train, it is very easy to visit both destinations during your trip! Why not check out our 25 Things to Do in Tokyo page which will also give you plenty of inspiration for your time spent in Tokyo. Here you will find some of the best activities and recommendations on how to spend your time in the Capital, as well as some tours that you can join to make the most out of your trip!
From watching Sumo wrestlers train to eating the freshest sushi at local markets, playing Taiko drums to exploring hidden shrines and temples, Tokyo truly has it all. Our Tokyo tours enable you to pick and choose from a wide range of areas and activities to explore during your trip. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods in Tokyo, or do you want to get into the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city, then click the link above and start exploring what you can do in Tokyo to make your trip unforgettable.
BEST TOURS IN TOKYO
Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you information on the best tours in Tokyo and the best day trips from Tokyo throughout the Kanto region.
THE BEST DAY TRIPS AND GETAWAYS FROM TOKYO
For more information and inspiration on what excursion day trips, overnight stays and multi day trips you could do outside of Tokyo, check out our 30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: The Best Day-Trips & Getaways From The Capital page!
WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO
There is no shortage of accommodation in Tokyo ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, youth hostels and even capsule hotels! The areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are among the most popular with tourists, all of which have excellent public transport links, shopping, bars and restaurants. Our Tokyo destination page and ’Where to Stay in Tokyo’ page includes everything you need to know about what areas to book your hotels and find the right accommodation for you.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Heading to Yokohama using the rail system is quick, easy and comfortable. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train opens-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
