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The Glossary
The premier port to open for international trade in 1859, Yokohama prides itself as being one of Japan's most cosmopolitan cities. Having traveled from a quaint fishing town to a thriving trade powerhouse, it is packed with contemporary skyscrapers, trains, parks, as well as the vibrant Chinatown ("Chukagai") and the colossal Cosmo Clock, one of the world's tallest Ferris wheels. More than just a huddle of state-of-the-art structure, Yokohama is home to friendly locals and history-steeped districts which house Western-style residences built during the onset of the port's opening.
The city's leading attraction is the Sankeien, a vast Japanese-style garden that seems like a patch of Kyoto in the midst of Yokohama's rough-and-tumble lifestyle. This idyllic park was built in 1904 and it features several ponds, teahouses, and a likeness of the cultural capital's Tomyoji Temple. On the other hand, Minato Mirai ("harbor of the future") is a glimpse of how a futuristic Yokohama would look like. A polished business district perched on the city's port, this commercial hub is home to Japan's tallest turret, the Landmark Tower, as well as several shopping centers and Cosmo World, a kid's paradise. Weary travelers who do not care how much they spend may want to visit the Manyo Club, a ritzy, neon-lighted spa complete with soba restaurants and modern rotenburo with a sweeping cityscape.
A less costly alternative to urban trekking in Minato Mirai is heading to the historical neighborhood in Yamate and Motomachi, packed with 19th century Western-style residences where foreign diplomats visiting Japan used to stay in. Northwest is a destination for foodies, the Ramen Museum. A retrospective view of the famed noodle dish is featured on the ground floor, while in the basement is a real-size model of Shitamachi (now Tokyo) of 1958, complete with the hand-painted billboards, plump lanterns, and the perfume of freshly-prepared ramen.
Yokohama Landmarks:
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Yokohama Traveler Advice
User blogs:
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