Day 9

Today, I boldly embarked on a thrilling new venture: navigating Japanese buses. Armed with Google Maps and a slightly wobbly grasp of Google Translate, I emerged victorious. Not only did I survive, but I also acquired a shiny new Pasmo card, which promises me the ability to pay contactless on most buses and tubes—fancy, right?

First stop: Sankei-en Park, where I was greeted by a delightful volunteer guide who shared with me some of the park's rich history. This gem of a garden was created by Sankei, a silk trade mogul who clearly had an eye for both fine fabrics and foliage. The garden, spreads over 175,000 square metres, with 17 historic structures, imported from places like Kyoto and Kamakura. It's all so serene and picturesque that I found myself feeling positively Zen. (Yes, me! Zen!)

After a gentle stroll around the park, I hopped back on a bus into town, where my next destination awaited: the Yokohama Ferris wheel. Now, it must be said, the view from the top was simply stunning, a panoramic spectacle of the city. To the rollercoaster below, with all its terrifying twists and loops, I gave a polite: "thanks, but no thanks."

By this point, my stomach had started to grumble, so I made my way to Yokohama's waterfront. Here, nestled in the charming Red Brick Warehouse, I discovered an array of food stalls. I had every intention of sampling a local Yokohama delicacy—Tachibanatei, I believe it was called—but fate (in the form of a teasing BLT sandwich from a Hawaiian stall) had other ideas. The will was strong, but the flesh was weak… And so, dear reader, I gave in to a BLT, fries, and a Coke. No regrets.

Sufficiently stuffed, I boarded a boat for a tour around the harbour, perfectly timed with the sunset. As I lazily gazed at the skyline, suddenly, to my surprise, there it was: Mount Fuji, rising majestically behind the city like something out of a painting. I half expected a waiter to appear with a margarita in hand, the moment was that perfect. Mount Fuji’s symmetry was simply breathtaking, a proper show-off, really.

As dusk gave way to night, the lights of Yokohama glittered like stars, casting the city in a completely new light. Seeing it from the water was nothing short of magical, and I must say, Yokohama, you’ve got some serious charm.

Now, if only I'd found that margarita... 😉