Literally in name meaning "horizontal beach", Yokohama in the Kanto region of the Honshu island lies on the edge of Tokyo Bay. The capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture is second to it's Tokyo neighbour in size, but the most populous municipality in all of Japan. And you can see why all the people are drawn to this city of the future right now.
As soon as you open your eyes to the magnificent Minato Mirai 21 business district you'll see what we mean. Even its name sounds like a place from the future. As the palm tree cicadas buzz above you in this Summer city like neon electricity you'll feel the same hum in this hub. A raised monument to white marble and green like the U.S.A.'s capital, Washington D.C., there's no place like the city a Netflix episode away from Tokyo by train. Lined with tall trees and what seems like a million malls, walk through what looks like a new town built on and old city and you'll be surrounded with as much as the eyes can see aswell as the yen can spend.
There's even iron sculptures that run through this district and look like rollercoasters. But the real rides lies a few feet away at the bay. Where an illuminating wonder wheel called the Cosmic Clock is something to behold aswell as check the time (especially next to a structure that makes it look like Yoko's version of Tower Bridge and the London eye next to the museum ship of the glorious Nippon Maru. A vessel that would even make Jack Sparrow swallow in 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' envy), particularly at a neon dusk. And a flamingo pink tracked rollercoaster literally loop and rolls under a fountain which Bellagio sprays as you descend into it. The Cosmo World amusement park used to hold the worlds largest ferris wheel, but today it's still home to a whole lot of fun for the family...or ahem, someone approaching their mid-thirties, travelling alone.
Channel Otis Redding and walk down to the dock of the bay and you'll be greeted with one of the best views to take in as you sit. There's a reason you're calm will be surrounded by locals painting in watercolours and those using the riverside as their morning jogging route. Even their perfect playlist can't beat this for motivation, like those relaxed opposite canvassing its inspiration. There's even some peaceful parks nearby to get away from it all. But if you want a view to beat all others in this tomorrow looking but traditionally feeling city than it's time to go north. And up as north as you can possibly go. The latticed Yokohoma Marine Tower laces one of the best views, dusk 'till dawn. Yet it's the Yokohoma Landmark Tower featuring a five star hotel and all the places to eat and shop you could drop for that is the real landmark. On a clear day you can bucket list add seeing Mount Fuji from here, the second tallest building in Japan. Making this the peak of your trip.
Just walking around this city in aimless wanderlust is the best way to explore all this place has to offer. Wait on a sunny day and this city has shades of the port of Miami. Or anywhere else with that particular harbourfront. Pick a place. But still, all in all it distinctly feels as Japanese as it is. Making it one of the definitive cities under the rising sun and definitly a place on the map for your dart if you're considering travelling across the Far East, let alone Japan. This was the main port of call for Japan in Jules Verne's 'Around The World In Eighty Days'. Legendary Japanese author Yukio Mishima set his iconic novel, 'The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea' here. And 'From Up On Poppy Hill's' anime art, one of Studio Ghibli's timeless greatest took place in the Yamate region. You can see the inspiration. Now you need to be a part of it. It's time to roll through Yokohama. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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