A Saturday in Japan's second largest city

05.10.2019 - Yokohama 🎡

Early October already led me on a day trip to Yokohama, Japan's second largest city, under a radiant blue sky and summery temperatures. The transition from Tokyo to Yokohama is seamless, and with a 40-minute train ride, I was just as quick there as in Asakusa and other eastern districts of Tokyo.

Less than 200 years ago, Yokohama was just a small fishing village. That changed quickly when the city opened its harbor to the 'West' in 1859, making it the first in Japan to do so. Even 160 years and 3 million inhabitants later, you can still find some Western residences from that time, as well as one of the largest China Towns in the world, amidst the giant skyscrapers and next to the large harbor.

China Town was my first destination. And since I didn't want to simply take the train a few stations further, I took the 'Seebus'. Hopping over waves with a view of skyscrapers, the harbor, and an amusement park under a blue sky was a great start, but unfortunately, the boat ride was particularly popular with families with young children... 🙉

China Town was really crowded with tourists, restaurants, street vendors, trinket shops, and red and golden banners and decorations everywhere... just as you would imagine. Well, and where did I end up buying something? In the Hawaiian store 2 streets away 🤦‍♀️

Not only in China Town, but also in the high-rise buildings around the train station, there were many shops. And since everything here gives me a much more centered impression than Tokyo with all its neighborhoods, it was also much more relaxed and enjoyable to stroll around.

From China Town, I strolled through park areas along the water to the Osenbashi Pier, a pretty cool designed cruise ship pier. From there, you have a great view of the skyline with the Ferris wheel in the foreground. I must have been there for about an hour, watching naval sailors take off the flags and attach the fairy lights while the sun slowly set behind the skyline... extremely romantic 😋

The ferris wheel, or rather the amusement park Cosmo World, was my next destination. I didn't go on the ferris wheel, the line was too long for me, but at least I wanted to ride the roller coaster. So I lined up nicely and waited for 10 minutes until I was close to the entrance. Well, naive as I was, I thought I just had to pay for the ride there, after all, there were about 5 employees at the entrance.. but I should have known better. You actually have to get your ticket from the squeaky pink machine. Where else, when even in restaurants you choose your food at the vending machine? 🤦‍♀️ The only problem was that the machine was next to the entrance, but also next to the separated waiting area 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ So, I had to leave the line again, get the ticket, and line up again 😑 15 minutes later, it was finally time and I could get on. But not before blowing into an alcohol tester 🤣 They took the 'no driving under the influence of alcohol' rule very seriously, and everyone had to blow before getting into the car 😄 The ride was quite fast, but above all bumpy and over very quickly (especially compared to standing in line twice).

Auf dem Rückweg zum Bahnhof ging es dann noch am Yokohama Oktoberfest vorbei 🍻 – richtig im Festzelt mit Bierbänken, Blasmusik und Bannern von Paulaner, Erdinger und anderen deutschen Biersorten über den Tresen. Tatsächlich hab ich auch einige Männer (vorwiegend, aber nicht nur Europäer) in Lederhosen gesehen. Nur Dirndl nicht. Vermutlich wären die für Japan zu freizügig 😅