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History
Yokohama was a small fishing village up to the end of the Edo period, a time when
Japan conducted very little trade with foreign countries except for the Dutch and
some Chinese traders. In 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived just south of
Yokohama with a fleet of American warships, and through relentless negotiations
(and perhaps intimidation, as the Japanese had never seen steam-powered
vessels before and were shocked at Commodore Perry's massive firepower)
convinced Japan to open several ports for commerce. Yokohama was designated
as a foreign port instead of Kanagawa, which the Tokugawa shogunate feared
was too close to the Tokaido, a strategic highway connecting Edo to Nagoya,
Kyoto, and Osaka.
The Port of Yokohama was opened in 1859 and quickly became the base of most
foreign trade in Japan. Foreigners occupied a district of the city called 'Kannai'
("inside the barrier"), which was surrounded by a moat. Many individuals crossed
the moat, causing a number of problems. The Namamugi Incident, one of the
events that preceded the downfall of the shogunate, took place in what is now
Tsurumi Ward in 1862. Ernest Satow wrote about the incident in his A Diplomat in
Japan.
After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the port was developed for trading silk.
Japan's first railway was constructed in 1872 to connect Yokohama to Tokyo,
allowing zaibatsu firms to use the port for importing raw materials bound for
factories in the growing Keihin Industrial Area. The growth of Japanese industry
brought affluence to Yokohama, and many wealthy trading families constructed
sprawling residences there. Until more commerce was carried out directly in
Tokyo, Yokohama was known as the most international city in Japan.
Much of Yokohama was destroyed on 1st Sept 1923 in the Great Kantō
earthquake killing an estimated 23,000 people within the city boundaries. In the
aftermath of the quake, mass murder of Koreans by vigilante mobs occurred in
the Kojiki-yato slum, fuelled by rumours of rebellion and sabotage. Martial law was
in place until 19th November. Rubble from the quake was used to reclaim land for
parks, the most famous of which is the Yamashita Park on the waterfront which
opened in 1930.
Yokohama was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again by 30-odd US air raids during
World War II. An estimated 7000-8000 people were killed in a single morning on
29th May 1945 in what is now known as the Great Yokohama Air Raid, when
B29's dropped 43,8576 firebombs over the city in the space of just 1 hour and 9
minutes, reducing 34% of the city to rubble.
During the American occupation, Yokohama was a major transshipment base for
American supplies and personnel, especially during the Korean War. After the
occupation, most local U.S. naval activity moved from Yokohama to an American
base in neighboring Yokosuka.
The city was officially incorporated on April 1, 1889, and designated by
government ordinance on September 1, 1956.
Construction of Minato Mirai 21 ("Port Future 21"), a major urban development
project on reclaimed land, started in 1983. Minato Mirai 21 hosted the Yokohama
Exotic Showcase in 1989, which saw the first public operation of Maglev trains in
Japan and the opening of CosmoClock 21, at the time the largest ferris wheel in
the world. 1989 also saw the opening of the 860m-long Yokohama Bay Bridge.
In 1993, Minato Mirai saw the opening of the Yokohama Landmark Tower,
currently the tallest building in Japan.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup final was held in June at the International Stadium
Yokohama.
Yokohama was a small fishing village up to the end of the Edo period, a time when
Japan conducted very little trade with foreign countries except for the Dutch and
some Chinese traders. In 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived just south of
Yokohama with a fleet of American warships, and through relentless negotiations
(and perhaps intimidation, as the Japanese had never seen steam-powered
vessels before and were shocked at Commodore Perry's massive firepower)
convinced Japan to open several ports for commerce. Yokohama was designated
as a foreign port instead of Kanagawa, which the Tokugawa shogunate feared
was too close to the Tokaido, a strategic highway connecting Edo to Nagoya,
Kyoto, and Osaka.
The Port of Yokohama was opened in 1859 and quickly became the base of most
foreign trade in Japan. Foreigners occupied a district of the city called 'Kannai'
("inside the barrier"), which was surrounded by a moat. Many individuals crossed
the moat, causing a number of problems. The Namamugi Incident, one of the
events that preceded the downfall of the shogunate, took place in what is now
Tsurumi Ward in 1862. Ernest Satow wrote about the incident in his A Diplomat in
Japan.
After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the port was developed for trading silk.
Japan's first railway was constructed in 1872 to connect Yokohama to Tokyo,
allowing zaibatsu firms to use the port for importing raw materials bound for
factories in the growing Keihin Industrial Area. The growth of Japanese industry
brought affluence to Yokohama, and many wealthy trading families constructed
sprawling residences there. Until more commerce was carried out directly in
Tokyo, Yokohama was known as the most international city in Japan.
Much of Yokohama was destroyed on 1st Sept 1923 in the Great Kantō
earthquake killing an estimated 23,000 people within the city boundaries. In the
aftermath of the quake, mass murder of Koreans by vigilante mobs occurred in
the Kojiki-yato slum, fuelled by rumours of rebellion and sabotage. Martial law was
in place until 19th November. Rubble from the quake was used to reclaim land for
parks, the most famous of which is the Yamashita Park on the waterfront which
opened in 1930.
Yokohama was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again by 30-odd US air raids during
World War II. An estimated 7000-8000 people were killed in a single morning on
29th May 1945 in what is now known as the Great Yokohama Air Raid, when
B29's dropped 43,8576 firebombs over the city in the space of just 1 hour and 9
minutes, reducing 34% of the city to rubble.
During the American occupation, Yokohama was a major transshipment base for
American supplies and personnel, especially during the Korean War. After the
occupation, most local U.S. naval activity moved from Yokohama to an American
base in neighboring Yokosuka.
The city was officially incorporated on April 1, 1889, and designated by
government ordinance on September 1, 1956.
Construction of Minato Mirai 21 ("Port Future 21"), a major urban development
project on reclaimed land, started in 1983. Minato Mirai 21 hosted the Yokohama
Exotic Showcase in 1989, which saw the first public operation of Maglev trains in
Japan and the opening of CosmoClock 21, at the time the largest ferris wheel in
the world. 1989 also saw the opening of the 860m-long Yokohama Bay Bridge.
In 1993, Minato Mirai saw the opening of the Yokohama Landmark Tower,
currently the tallest building in Japan.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup final was held in June at the International Stadium
Yokohama.
Minato Mrai 21
Minato Mirai 21 (みなとみらい２１) is a large urban development in Yokohama,
Japan.
The name, which means "Port Future 21," was selected in a public competition.
Construction of the area started in 1983. Built largely on reclaimed land, the area
now features the Landmark Tower, Japan's tallest skyscraper, the Queen's
Square shopping mall, the Pacifico convention center, Intercontinental Hotel, and
more.
However, 20 years after the start of development and despite a 50 percent asset
tax discount, half the 88-acre (356,000 m²) area remains unoccupied. The
February 1, 2004 completion of the Minato Mirai Line, which connects the area
directly to both central Yokohama and Shibuya in Tokyo, is expected to revitalize
construction in the area. Planned new tenants include the United Nations
University.
The area is a popular tourist spot together with nearby Yokohama Chinatown.
Minato Mirai is one of the few places in the Tokyo-Yokohama area where the
seashore is accessible, and not blocked by industry and harbour areas. Another
is Odaiba.
Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街) It has about 150 years of history. These days
only a few Chinese people still live in Chinatown, but it has population of about
3000 to 4000. Most of the residents are from Guangzhou (Canton) but many
come from other regions.
Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan (larger than Chinatowns
in both Kobe and Nagasaki) and it is one of the largest in the world. There are
over 200 restaurants alone.
Minato Mirai 21 (みなとみらい２１) is a large urban development in Yokohama,
Japan.
The name, which means "Port Future 21," was selected in a public competition.
Construction of the area started in 1983. Built largely on reclaimed land, the area
now features the Landmark Tower, Japan's tallest skyscraper, the Queen's
Square shopping mall, the Pacifico convention center, Intercontinental Hotel, and
more.
However, 20 years after the start of development and despite a 50 percent asset
tax discount, half the 88-acre (356,000 m²) area remains unoccupied. The
February 1, 2004 completion of the Minato Mirai Line, which connects the area
directly to both central Yokohama and Shibuya in Tokyo, is expected to revitalize
construction in the area. Planned new tenants include the United Nations
University.
The area is a popular tourist spot together with nearby Yokohama Chinatown.
Minato Mirai is one of the few places in the Tokyo-Yokohama area where the
seashore is accessible, and not blocked by industry and harbour areas. Another
is Odaiba.
Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街) It has about 150 years of history. These days
only a few Chinese people still live in Chinatown, but it has population of about
3000 to 4000. Most of the residents are from Guangzhou (Canton) but many
come from other regions.
Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan (larger than Chinatowns
in both Kobe and Nagasaki) and it is one of the largest in the world. There are
over 200 restaurants alone.
How To Get There
The overwhelming majority of visitors to Yokohama arrive from Tokyo by train. A
multitude of train lines connect the two cities at roughly equal prices (around ¥200
one-way), but some of the more convenient options are:
* Tokyu Toyoko Line (東急東横線) from Shibuya to Yokohama Station. Some
trains on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line run through to the Toyoko Line, which in
turn runs through to the recently-opened Minato Mirai 21 subway line. A trip from
Shibuya to Yokohama takes as little as 24 minutes on the fastest service;
Chinatown, the terminus of the MM21 line, is another 10 minutes away. Up to eight
kyūkō (急行) and tokkyū (特急) trains per hour.
* JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン) from Ōmiya, Akabane, Ikebukuro,
Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Ōsaki. Established in 2003, this line allows for easy
access to Yokohama from west Tokyo. Roughly four trains per hour, reaching
Yokohama from Shinjuku in as little as 30 minutes.
* JR Tokaido Main Line (東海道線) from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations (both on
the Yamanote Line). Departs every 10 minutes; more trains during rush hour.
About 25 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama. Note that Commuter Rapid Service
(通勤快速) and Shonan Liner (湘南ライナー) trains do not stop at Yokohama
Station.
* JR Yokosuka Line (横須賀線): A less-convenient alternative from Tokyo Station
and Shinagawa. However, it is the route of choice if coming from stations east of
Tokyo on the Sobu Rapid line, such as Tsudanuma and Chiba, as most of these
trains continue onto the Yokosuka line. About 30 minutes from Tokyo to
Yokohama; about 75 minutes from Chiba. Departs every 15 minutes or so from
Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
* JR Keihin Tohoku Line (京浜東北線) from Nippori, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, and
Shinagawa Stations. This train stops at more stations in Yokohama than the
Yokosuka Line. It's also a convenient route from stations north of Tokyo in
Saitama prefecture. About 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station.
Departs every 5 minutes from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
* Keihin Kyuko Main Line (京浜急行線), or Keikyu for short, from Shinagawa and
Haneda Airport. Most trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue onto the
Keikyu line. Departs every 10 minutes from Shinagawa (more trains during rush
hour), with the fastest train reaching Yokohama in only 18 minutes. Note that
Keikyu WING (京急ウィング) trains, which run on weekday evenings, do not stop
at Yokohama.
Shinkansen trains go to Shin-Yokohama station instead, a few subway stops away
from the main Yokohama station. Alternatively, take the shinkansen to Shinagawa
and change to the Tokaido, Yokosuka or Keihin Tohoku lines. If your final
destination is Chinatown or a the harbor area, taking one of the non-Shinkansen
trains listed above is likely to be faster.
Related Pages
=> Getting To Tokyo
=> Transportation In Tokyo
=> Tokyo Maps
Helpful Links
=> Akihbara Official Site (English)
=> Akihbara Official Site (Japanese)
The overwhelming majority of visitors to Yokohama arrive from Tokyo by train. A
multitude of train lines connect the two cities at roughly equal prices (around ¥200
one-way), but some of the more convenient options are:
* Tokyu Toyoko Line (東急東横線) from Shibuya to Yokohama Station. Some
trains on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line run through to the Toyoko Line, which in
turn runs through to the recently-opened Minato Mirai 21 subway line. A trip from
Shibuya to Yokohama takes as little as 24 minutes on the fastest service;
Chinatown, the terminus of the MM21 line, is another 10 minutes away. Up to eight
kyūkō (急行) and tokkyū (特急) trains per hour.
* JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン) from Ōmiya, Akabane, Ikebukuro,
Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Ōsaki. Established in 2003, this line allows for easy
access to Yokohama from west Tokyo. Roughly four trains per hour, reaching
Yokohama from Shinjuku in as little as 30 minutes.
* JR Tokaido Main Line (東海道線) from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations (both on
the Yamanote Line). Departs every 10 minutes; more trains during rush hour.
About 25 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama. Note that Commuter Rapid Service
(通勤快速) and Shonan Liner (湘南ライナー) trains do not stop at Yokohama
Station.
* JR Yokosuka Line (横須賀線): A less-convenient alternative from Tokyo Station
and Shinagawa. However, it is the route of choice if coming from stations east of
Tokyo on the Sobu Rapid line, such as Tsudanuma and Chiba, as most of these
trains continue onto the Yokosuka line. About 30 minutes from Tokyo to
Yokohama; about 75 minutes from Chiba. Departs every 15 minutes or so from
Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
* JR Keihin Tohoku Line (京浜東北線) from Nippori, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, and
Shinagawa Stations. This train stops at more stations in Yokohama than the
Yokosuka Line. It's also a convenient route from stations north of Tokyo in
Saitama prefecture. About 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station.
Departs every 5 minutes from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.
* Keihin Kyuko Main Line (京浜急行線), or Keikyu for short, from Shinagawa and
Haneda Airport. Most trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue onto the
Keikyu line. Departs every 10 minutes from Shinagawa (more trains during rush
hour), with the fastest train reaching Yokohama in only 18 minutes. Note that
Keikyu WING (京急ウィング) trains, which run on weekday evenings, do not stop
at Yokohama.
Shinkansen trains go to Shin-Yokohama station instead, a few subway stops away
from the main Yokohama station. Alternatively, take the shinkansen to Shinagawa
and change to the Tokaido, Yokosuka or Keihin Tohoku lines. If your final
destination is Chinatown or a the harbor area, taking one of the non-Shinkansen
trains listed above is likely to be faster.
Related Pages
=> Getting To Tokyo
=> Transportation In Tokyo
=> Tokyo Maps
Helpful Links
=> Akihbara Official Site (English)
=> Akihbara Official Site (Japanese)
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Yokohama (横浜市) is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. It is
Japan's largest incorporated city by population, Japan's largest seaport, and a
commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.
Japan's largest incorporated city by population, Japan's largest seaport, and a
commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.
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