Yokohama Day Trip from Tokyo: A Complete City Guide
- Last Updated On August 31, 2026
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After ten months living in Japan, three of which were spent in Tokyo, we’ve had plenty of time to explore beyond the capital. Of all the day trips from Tokyo we’ve done, a Yokohama day trip is one we keep coming back to.
It turns out Japan’s capital is surrounded by incredible destinations, and in typical Japanese fashion, they’re extremely easy to reach thanks to the country’s vast rail network. Yokohama is one of the easiest of the lot.
Whether you’re on an extended trip travelling around Japan or only in Tokyo for a week, a Yokohama day trip from Tokyo should be on the cards.
We’ll run you through our ideal itinerary, with detailed steps on how to get to Yokohama, what to do in the city, and where to eat.
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Yokohama Itinerary at a Glance
- Travel time: ~30–45 minutes from central Tokyo
- Cost: ~¥620 (£2.90) one way from Tokyo Station
- Best day to go: Saturday or Sunday (for the Oi Racecourse flea market)
- Best for: Harbour views, ramen, Chinatown food, a change of pace from Tokyo
- Ideal season: Autumn, for the most comfortable weather
Is Yokohama Worth a Day Trip From Tokyo?
Yokohama might just be our favourite easy day trip from Tokyo. This day trip is ideal for those who are only visiting Tokyo, as it’s an opportunity to experience a different Japanese city without having to travel far to do it.
We’ve visited Yokohama twice now as we’ve been travelling through Japan. There’s a certain charm about the city, whether it’s the change in pace, the incredible harbour side, or that it’s home to the largest Chinatown in Japan.
Where Tokyo can feel full on, Yokohama slows things down a bit.
The waterfront at Minato Mirai gives you space to breathe that’s hard to find in central Tokyo, and wandering into Chinatown for lunch feels like stepping into a different country entirely, not just a different city.
It’s the kind of contrast that makes a day trip feel like proper time away, even though you can be back in Shinjuku by dinner.
If you’ve got a spare day in Tokyo and want to see a side of Japan that isn’t just skyscrapers and shrines, Yokohama is worth the journey.
How to Get to Yokohama from Tokyo
Travel Time: ~30-45 minutes from central Tokyo
Cost: ~ ¥620 (£2.90) from Tokyo Station
One of the great things about Yokohama is how easy it is to access from Tokyo. You can be enjoying views of the harbour side or riding the rollercoasters at Cosmo World in under an hour.
From Tokyo, Shimbashi, or Shinagawa Station, you can take the Tokaido Line directly to Yokohama Station. These Tokyo stations all sit on the JR Yamanote Line making them easy to access from all across Tokyo, especially with a Suica card.
We recommend using Google Maps to plan your route on the day. There are so many train lines linking Tokyo to Yokohama, so depending where you’re staying in Tokyo will decide your route.
There’s going to be some jumping around with options in this itinerary so be sure to read on for the best travel tips.
Best Time to Visit Yokohama
Our previous trips to Yokohama have been in the summer and autumn. Both were spectacular but we’d recommend autumn as a more comfortable time to visit.
That summer heat can be rough!
Spring and winter should also be lovely times to visit Yokohama. Spring has cherry blossoms along the Ōoka River and milder temperatures perfect for wandering the waterfront, while winter sees Minato Mirai lit up with illuminations, and noticeably thinner crowds.f
If you’re planning your trip around a specific season, it’s worth checking our best time to visit Tokyo guide too, since Yokohama’s weather closely follows Tokyo’s given how close the two cities are.
But the real trick to making the most of your Yokohama trip is to go on a Saturday or Sunday, when you can hit up the Oi Racecourse morning flea market on the way. This is what we did on our second trip and it was the perfect combination with an afternoon in Yokohama.
Yokohama Day Trip Itinerary
Morning:
We think the best way to start a trip to Yokohama is to actually stop off at Oi racecourse on the way, but only on Saturday or Sunday, that’s when they host a huge flea market. If you’re including this in your itinerary, get up early, grab a konbini snack, and be here for opening at 9am (markets close at 2pm).
If you’re looking for incredible Japanese threads, video games or vintage cameras, this is the place to come. It’s Sarah’s actual heaven.
You’ll need to take a slight detour as the market is actually in Shinagawa city on the way to Yokohama. From Tokyo Station take the Keihin-Tōhoku Line to Hamamatsuchō Station, then transfer to the monorail until you get to Oikeibajo-Mae Station. After that it’s just a short walk to the market.
Obviously this might not be for everyone or you might not be visiting on a weekend, but don’t worry! There’s still plenty of stuff to do on this itinerary.
Before heading to Oi Racecourse for the Tokyo City Flea Market, make sure that they are running. Sometimes the markets get cancelled due to bad weather.
Our next stop is the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
Getting here from the market is going to be a bit of a journey and take around 1 hour, so leave the market with enough time to get here around lunch time. We recommend using Google Maps to navigate to Shin-Yokohama Station as the best route can vary depending on time.
If you’re skipping the flea market then start your day at the Ramen Museum, have a lie-in, grab a light breakfast and catch the train to Yokohama Station. You’re then going to transfer to the Blue Line to Shin-Yokohama, after that it’s just a short walk to the museum.
This journey takes around 50 minutes from Tokyo Station.
This is what we did on our first trip to Yokohama and it was a great insight into the wonderful world of ramen. Sadly we don’t have many photos of the exhibits (thank you corrupted hard drive), but it’s an interesting look into the history of ramen in Japan, and the evolution of different flavours of ramen by region in the country.
Inside the museum they have traditional ramen restaurants where you can try a multitude of ramen flavours, if you have the hunger for it! We had shio (salt) ramen from one of the restaurants and it was delicious!
Afternoon:
After exploring the museum and gorging on ramen, we made our way back to Shin-Yokohama Station to continue on to the heart of Yokohama city.
From Shin-Yokohama catch the Blue Line again, this time to Sakuragichō Station.
This is probably one of our favourite stations to walk out of. The moment you step out of the station you’re met with incredible views over the port of Yokohama.
Now it’s time to do some exploring!
Once outside the station you can visit the Nippon Maru, moored up in Mirai Park. This old sailing ship’s been turned into a museum. Even if you skip going aboard, it’s worth stopping for a few photos with the harbour behind it.
Cross the promenade bridge over to the Red Brick Warehouse, a cultural landmark of the city’s port origins.
It’s a genuinely nice walk, water on one side, skyline on the other, so take your time with it and enjoy it. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the concrete jungle of Tokyo.
There’s lots of nice cafes and shops around the old Red Brick Warehouse. We like to grab a coffee to go and sit in the park on a nice summer day, before heading into World Porters mall to do some shopping.
Have a wander round the mall if you fancy it, but don’t linger too long. Save your energy (and your daylight) for Cosmo World.
Evening:
Try to time it so you arrive at Cosmo World just before sunset, and get straight in the queue for the Cosmo Clock 21 ferris wheel. On a clear day you’ll catch the sunset behind Mt Fuji, right alongside the Landmark Tower. One of our most memorable views on the whole of our Japan trip.
Once you’re back on solid ground, the Pokémon Center Yokohama is a short walk away if you fancy some souvenir hunting, and it’s a fun stop even if you’re not big collectors.
Landmark Tower’s Sky Garden observation deck is also right there if you want incredible night time views over the city. Although with the views from the ferris wheel we already felt like we’d been spoiled, so decided to skip it.
The best way to end the night in Yokohama is to head to Chinatown.
Yokohama is home to Japan’s largest Chinatown and it doesn’t disappoint. We were blown away the first time we visited, it really felt like stepping into a different city.
Overwhelmed by it all we had to try a bit of everything.
So rather than going to just one restaurant, we recommend grazing your way through the different street vendors. Grab anything and everything, steamed buns, skewers, the works.
To get back to Tokyo from Yokohama Chinatown, head to the nearby Ishikawachō Station. From here take the JR Negishi Line all the way to Tokyo Station.
Where to Eat in Yokohama
We think this itinerary gives you a good few options for food throughout the day.
Starting at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is a good way to fuel up for a busy day of sightseeing and exploring a new city, whilst also learning about the history of ramen in Japan.
The World Porters mall has a Hawaiian/island themed food court on the first floor, making it the ideal location to grab a meal or a light bite as a family. It’s worth the stop just to grab an ice cream from Blue Seal, especially on a hot summer’s day.
Ending the day in Chinatown is no happy mistake.
The reason we think it’s best to come in the evening isn’t just for the lights and lanterns. Chinatown comes alive at night with street vendors and restaurants bustling people in.
Try whatever takes your fancy from the different stalls. We loved the egg custard tarts and animal-shaped sweet buns.
Things to Know Before You Visit Yokohama
🚃 Suica Card: Tokyo runs on rail, so a Suica card is essential. We’ve written a full guide on setting up a Suica card.
📱 Get an eSIM: Reliable data makes Google Maps and Translate so much easier. Even after 10 months in Japan, we still relied on it daily. Check our guide to the best eSIM options in Japan.
💴 Cash is Still King: Cards work almost everywhere now, but keep some cash for smaller shops and stalls. Bring a fee-free debit card (we like Chase or Revolut) and withdraw at a 7-Eleven ATM for a fair rate.
🚶 Stand on the Left: On Tokyo escalators, stand left and walk right. Osaka does the opposite (don’t ask us why).
🛡️ Get Travel Insurance: Japan is safe, but insurance also covers lost luggage, cancelled flights, and theft. Sort it before you fly. Here’s our guide to the best travel insurance for long-term trips.
🗣️ Learn a Few Phrases: You don’t need fluency. Konnichiwa (hello), sumimasen (excuse me), and arigatou (thank you) go a long way. Bonus points for gochisousamadeshita after a meal.
Final Thoughts About This Yokohama Day Trip
A day trip to Yokohama should absolutely be on your Tokyo itinerary. It’s the perfect change of pace from the capital, and one of the easiest ways to see a different side of Japan without giving up a day of your trip to a long journey.
We love Yokohama, and we’ll be heading back on our next trip to Japan. We’re even thinking about basing ourselves there for a few days next time, just to get a proper feel for the city beyond a single day trip.
FAQs About a Yokohama Day Trip From Tokyo
Is Yokohama worth a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. Yokohama makes for one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Tokyo, with a completely different pace and atmosphere from the capital. Highlights include the harbour side at Minato Mirai, Cosmo World's ferris wheel, and Japan's largest Chinatown.
How do you get from Tokyo to Yokohama?
From Tokyo, Shimbashi, or Shinagawa Station, take the Tokaido Line directly to Yokohama Station. The journey takes around 30 to 45 minutes and costs roughly ¥620 from Tokyo Station.
How much does a day trip to Yokohama cost?
Train fare from Tokyo Station costs around ¥620 one way. Beyond that, budget for food, the Ramen Museum entry fee, and the Cosmo Clock 21 ferris wheel, though sightseeing around the harbour side and Chinatown itself is free.
What is the best time of year to visit Yokohama?
Autumn is our pick for the most comfortable weather, though spring and winter should also be lovely, with cherry blossoms and illuminations respectively. Summer works too, just expect the heat.
Can you visit Yokohama in one day?
Yes, Yokohama is easily doable as a day trip from Tokyo. A full day gives you enough time to visit the harbour side, Cosmo World, the Pokémon Center, and Chinatown, especially if you start early.
Is Yokohama Chinatown worth visiting?
Absolutely. It's the largest Chinatown in Japan and comes alive in the evening with street vendors and lit-up lanterns. We recommend grazing your way through the stalls rather than sitting down for one meal.
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Hi! We’re Mark & Sarah.
We’ve been travelling the world together for the past 4 years. Exploring destinations such as Europe, South America, South East Asia, Japan and Australia. Now we’re sharing everything we’ve learned on our travels, to help you get out there and have your own adventures!
