Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, frequently escapes the attention of many visitors who gravitate towards snowy destinations or stick to the classic golden route of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. With its broad avenues and a more relaxed tempo, Yokohama serves as an excellent starting or concluding point for a Japanese holiday, a strategy commonly employed by cruise ship passengers.
Arrival and Accommodation
After landing at Haneda Airport around dawn, a taxi ride of approximately 25 minutes transports travelers to The Westin Yokohama, a lifestyle wellness hotel that opened in 2022 within the Minato Mirai Central Business District. The spacious double skyline room with club access offers views of train tracks, apartments, and skyscrapers, and on clear days, the majestic Mount Fuji. The room is clean, spacious, and quiet, promising cosmopolitan adventures just steps away.
Local Explorations
A short 20-minute stroll leads to Takashimaya, where the basement food section presents an overwhelming array of options, including strawberry and cream sponge cake slices, cookies, meat skewers, and bento boxes. For further sensory stimulation, nearby GiGO amusement stores and Gashapon capsule toy shops provide entertainment. During hot weather, the hotel pool offers a respite from the sun and humidity, though it comes with a daily charge of around $33 per adult.
Dining Experiences
Pacific Table, the hotel's international buffet restaurant, features a pale pink dessert room and offers a gastronomic journey reflecting Yokohama Port's shipbuilding history. Lunch highlights include made-to-order nigiri, local curries, western dishes, and seasonal vegetables from Kanagawa farmers. At breakfast, adventurous eaters might try natto, fermented sticky soybeans, though it's an acquired taste. For dinner, Iron Bay provides sophisticated dining with premium seafood and steaks alongside great views.
Scenic Views and Proximity
The 23rd-floor lobby boasts a stunning plant wall and chandeliers, offering views of Mount Fuji on clear days, a sight that excites both guests and staff. Yokohama's closeness to Tokyo makes it feel like an outer suburb, with a 45-minute commute to Shibuya for exploring Harajuku and Meiji Shrine.
Must-Do Attractions
For a short stay, three key attractions stand out. The Red Brick Warehouse, once a customs inspection point, now houses jewellery, lacquerware, and souvenir stores, with golden hour providing a warm glow and views of the world's largest Ferris wheel at Cosmo World. Yokohama's Chinatown, Japan's largest, features bustling streets lined with restaurants and neon signs, though navigating the culinary options can be daunting. The Cup Noodles Museum offers interactive fun for under $10, with exhibits on inventor Momofuku Ando and a session to create custom Cup Noodles from 5460 flavour combinations.
Practical Information
Rates at The Westin Yokohama for a deluxe double skyline-view room typically start from $290, with club double rooms from $430. The hotel's amenities and location make it a convenient base for exploring Yokohama's unique blend of history and modernity.
