The Best Things to do in Minatomirai

Contents

Minatomirai, which stands for ‘harbor of the future’, is one of the most popular spots to visit in the city of Yokohama. Located next to the water, this area not only boasts one of the most incredible city night views in the whole of Japan but also has some of the best attractions for tourists and locals. Luckily, you can get to Minatomirai in around 30-minutes from Tokyo Station.

With so much history, culture and fun attractions to explore, it is easy to fill up your day. Here are just some of the things you won’t want to miss on your visit. 

① Shopping

Minatomirai, and Yokohama in general, has an amazing selection of places to shop. All the shopping complexes in the area have their own unique feel, concept, and set of stores to browse at.

MARK IS Minatomirai

Mark IS is the largest shopping mall in the Minato Mirai 21 district. What makes Mark IS a little different is its concept of being a ‘life entertainment hall’. As well as trendy lifestyle goods and popular brands, there is a rooftop garden, a cinema, and a food court.

Queen's Tower A

Directly connected to Minatomirai Station, Queen’s Tower A is another massive shopping complex where you can find fashion, home goods, and cosmetics. Notably, there are a few shops that children may want to visit, including a Snoopy Town, Disney Store, and Sanrio Vivitix.

Landmark Plaza

Standing at 296 meters, Yokohama Landmark Tower is Japan’s third-tallest building. Inside, there is a hotel, an observatory, and a shopping complex. The shopping complex is filled with popular global brands such as H&M, Banana Republic, and GAP. In terms of places to eat, there are many restaurants serving food from around the world, including Chinese and Italian.

Yokohama World Porters

Home to over 200 shops, Yokohama World Porters is one of the city’s biggest and most famous shopping malls. Each floor is dedicated to something different, such as food, fashion, and variety goods, making it a great place to browse around for a few hours. Yokohama World Porters has a solid selection of fast food and other restaurants, too. 

Marine & Walk Yokohama

Located next to the bayfront, Marine & Walk Yokohama is an open-air mall with a contemporary feel. Here, you will find a collection of international brands selling ladies, men’s, and children’s clothes. On top of this, there are a few trendy restaurants, some of which overlook the water. Although it is pleasant to visit all year round, the best time to go is during the summer when it is warm and bright.

② Red Brick Building

The Red Brick Building is a cultural landmark. It was once Yokohama’s main shipping hub in the 1920s. Since then, it has become a rather unique and iconic shopping complex. Many people are interested in seeing it, as its architecture is different from most buildings in the city.

Inside, you will find shops selling miscellaneous goods such as accessories, art, and home goods. You will even find one-of-a-kind products made in the city, such as Yokohama glass. It is a great place to find some good-quality and special souvenirs.

If you are feeling peckish while shopping, you can also stop by one of the cafes or the food court. Many seasonal events take place here throughout the year, with the most notable ones being the October Beer Fest and Christmas Market.

③ Yokohama Manyo Club

At Yokohama Minatomirai Manyo Club, you can have a taste of traditional Japan in the middle of the city. This hot spring facility is the perfect place to go to unwind and experience a traditional onsen. With a variety of baths to choose from, including outdoor baths and an observation foot bath that has incredible views of the surrounding area, you will leave feeling incredibly refreshed and pampered. Once you have finished relaxing, you can make use of the other facilities, including a games arcade, a massage room, and a restaurant serving authentic Japanese food.

For the ultimate experience, it is recommended to stay for at least one night. However, if you are short on time, you can always just come for the day. Prices for adults vary between ¥1,700 and ¥2,950, depending on the time of day. To find out more about staying overnight, check out the website.

④ Cosmo World

Cosmo World is an iconic amusement park located in the middle of Minatomirai. It is home to a giant and sparkly clock-faced ferris wheel, the main symbol of Yokohama. It is considered one of the best date spots in the area.

The park is split into three sections: Wonder Amuse Zone, Burano Street Zone and Kids Carnival Zone. Thrill seekers will enjoy key attractions in the Wonder Amuse Zone, such as the diving coaster Vanish! and Cliff Drop, a log-flume ride.

Families can spend time in the Kids Carnival Zone, a section of the park which has rides catered towards young children. After going on some rides, you can play some games in the arcades and take a break at the small food court.

Although it is free to enter the park, you will need to purchase a ticket to go on the rides. There is a choice of either single tickets, which cost between ¥100 and ¥1,000, or great-value tickets for ¥3,500 and ¥5,000, which give you access to multiple rides.

⑤ Yokohama Air Cabin

The Yokohama Air Cabin is one of the newer attractions in the area. This urban-type circular ropeway takes passengers from Sakuragicho Station to Unga Park in five minutes; giving stunning and unobstructed views of the cityscape along the way.

Although the tickets are on the more expensive side, costing ¥1,000 for a one-way adult ticket, the Yokohama Air Cabin offers a unique experience which you can’t get in any other city in Japan. For the best views, it is recommended that you go on a sunny day or at night.

⑥ Museums

In Minatomirai there are a few different museums to explore. Whether you are wanting to look at some art or keep children entertained, there is something for every interest.

Cup Noodles Museum

Ever been curious about the history of Cup Noodles and wanted to make your own original one? Well, at the Cup Noodle Museum, you can do both!

This interactive museum, which costs ¥500 to enter, has been designed for both children and adults to enjoy. Through the museum’s exhibits, you can learn more about the creator of instant ramen, Momofuku Ando, and how his invention changed the world. 

For many people, the highlight of this museum is the My Cup Noodles Factory. In this special section, you can create your own original cup noodle by selecting your favorite soup and toppings and designing your own cup. To partake, you will need to pay ¥500 and get a numbered ticket.

After you have explored the museum, make sure to check out the museum shop, which sells exclusive and fun ramen-themed goods including magnets, notebooks, and, of course, cup noodles!

Anpanman Children's Museum

Anpanman is one of Japan’s most loved children’s characters. At the Anpanman Children’s Museum in Yokohama, children can experience the colorful world of Anpanman and maybe even meet the characters in real life.

The facility has two floors. The first floor, which is free to access, is made up of fourteen unique stores. These include shops selling limited-edition goods, a photo gallery, and Anpanman-themed restaurants. By far, the most popular store is Uncle Jam’s Bakery. This store, which sells bread in the shape of Anpanman and his friends, always has a queue but is the perfect treat to take home.

On the 3rd floor, you will find the actual museum. Here, kids can play as well as see some of the places and characters from the show come to life. If that wasn’t enough, there is a main stage and a fun park where you can watch live shows featuring some of the most popular characters from the cartoon. Entry to the actual museum costs ¥2,200 to ¥2,600. Note that you need to book a specific date and time slot in advance online.

Yokohama Museum of Art

To immerse yourself in some art and culture, stop by the Yokohama Museum of Art. This grand museum has over 14,000 works of modern art, some of which are by famous artists such as Salvador Dali, René Magritte, and Pablo Picasso, as well as many artists who are connected to Yokohama. Throughout the year, the museum hosts special exhibitions based on different artists or themes. 

Related Articles
Follow us
Most Read
New Posts
サイトの言語をご選択下さい

Select Language