Just a 40-minute train journey from Shibuya, Yokohama is Tokyo’s closest big urban neighbor. The big plus compared to its more populous neighbor is the wonderful waterfront area that encompasses Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier.
With its history of opening up Japan to the outside world, Yokohama has a larger than usual number of heritage buildings, a beautiful setting next to Yokohama Bay, and a lively events scene with a large number of festivals in the Red Brick Warehouse district.
The central city neighborhoods such as Yamashita, Bashamichi, Kannai, Motomachi and the iconic Minatomirai offer interesting contrasts within close walking distance of each other.
Slightly further out, Shinyokohama is Yokohama’s connection to the Shinkansen and home to International Stadium Yokohama, which has hosted the finals of both the Football and Rugby World Cups.