Day 8

Today’s adventure whisked me off to Yokohama. For reasons that remain mysterious (even to me), I found myself sprinting toward the train, pulling off an Olympic-worthy leap onto it at the very last second. You know that lovely moment of existential dread when you’re not quite sure if you’re even on the right train? Yep, that was me. Fortunately, the ride was only 30 minutes, and with rush hour behind us, it was surprisingly pleasant.

From the station, I made a beeline for the Cup Noodles Museum—a shrine to the culinary genius Momofuku Ando, the man who brought us dry-fried noodles, which, believe it or not, have even ventured into space! A true hero in Japan. I even got to make my own custom cup noodles, which I’m now guarding like treasure until my upcoming hike on the Nakasendo Trail.

Yokohama, by the way, is Japan’s second-largest city with 3.7 million residents. Tokyo, of course, dwarfs it with its staggering 14 million, but technically Tokyo isn’t a single city—it’s a sprawling metropolis made up of many cities, towns, and villages. So, one could argue Yokohama is the biggest "actual" city in Japan. Plus, it has a charming skyline, which I’m currently admiring from my hotel room. Endless buildings and skyscrapers, but with its harbor, it feels a tad more relaxed than Tokyo.

After dropping off my bag at the hotel, I ventured to Yokohama’s Chinatown, which, speaking of superlatives, is the largest Chinatown outside of China itself. Chinese settlers have called it home since the port opened for foreign trade in 1859. The place was alive with color—vibrant storefronts, red lanterns, countless food stalls offering dumplings and Peking duck, and just as many fortune tellers. There was even a parade with a dragon that was equally majestic and terrifying, accompanied by “music” loud enough to shake your soul. At the heart of Chinatown is the stunning Kantebio Temple, dedicated to the gods of good business, all decked out in dazzling colors and enough gold to make a pharaoh jealous. Of course, I donated a little coin for the continued good fortune of J&J—gotta keep the business gods happy!

My next stop was the Yokohama Air Cabin. There’s something oddly amusing about boarding a gondola lift with no skis, poles, or winter gear in sight. After a smooth glide over the city, I took a leisurely stroll back to my hotel, where I topped off the day with a delightful meal on the 37th floor.