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The city where Japan’s “origins” were born–Discover the beginnings of Japan in Yokohama
Since the opening of its port in 1859, Yokohama has been the first gateway for Western culture to enter Japan, giving birth to many of the country’s modern “beginnings.”
This month, we invite you on an in-depth tour tracing the historic sites known as the “Birthplaces of Yokohama,” where the city’s rich past comes to life.
Ice cream, shokupan (Japanese milk bread), and beer—now everyday staples in Japan—all began here in this very city.
Dressed in traditional hakama and strolling through streets that still echo the spirit of Japan’s early modernization, you will embark on a special experience uncovering the origins of modern Japan. |

Map data©2025 |
| See locations in Google maps |
Access from Haneda Airport to Yokohama
(Click to learn more)
Limousine Bus:
-To YCAT (Yokohama Station): approx. 30 min
-To Red Brick Warehouse: approx. 48 min
Train:
-To Yokohama Station: approx. 27 min
For more details on this month's featured tour, click the button below: |
| This Month's Featured Tour |
Our themed, fully-guided tours focus on activities and culinary experiences unique to Yokohama. Whether you're traveling solo or in a group, our tours can be customized to meet your needs. Join us for a fun and easy way to explore Yokohama! |
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Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan
Why not begin your journey through the “birthplace of modern Japan” dressed in the style of the era?
Located inside the Silk Center in Yamashita-cho, Yokohama, Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan is a specialty rental shop offering hakama and kimono.
Choose from around 80 kimono designs—from classic traditional patterns to chic, modern styles. Hakama are available in five standard colors, including deep red and purple, as well as beautifully detailed pieces featuring embroidery and soft gradations. Create a coordinate that feels uniquely yours.
With professional dressing by experienced kimono stylists, you can enjoy a comfortable fit all day long. Luggage storage is also available, so you can head out and explore hands-free!
Step outside, and you’ll find some of Yokohama’s most photogenic landmarks within walking distance, including the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Yamashita Park, and Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal. Stroll the waterfront in elegant hakama attire, savor Yokohama’s birthplace cuisine, and capture unforgettable moments where history and modern charm meet.
Location: Silk Center M1F #125, 1 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0023
Hours:11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Mondays and irregular holidays
Rental Fees:
Hakama rental from ¥8,900 / Kimono rental from ¥4,900
(Tax included / Return by 5:00 PM on the same day)
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MILK MARCHÉ at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Discover the “ultimate taste” in Yokohama—the birthplace of ice cream in Japan.
Ice cream was first sold in Japan in 1865, when an American named Richard Risley began offering it in Yokohama’s foreign settlement.
A few years later, in 1869, Fusazo Machida produced and sold Japan’s first domestically made ice cream in the Bashamichi area of Yokohama. It was known as “aisu-kurin”, made simply from milk, egg yolks, and sugar. It is said to have had a slightly crunchy, gently sweet texture.
Featuring this rich part of Yokohama's history, MILK MARCHÉ opened in 2022 and is now one of Yokohama’s most talked-about suppliers of delicious milk-based treats.
Their signature “4.0 Milk Soft Serve” delivers a rich, full-bodied milk flavor that spreads luxuriously across your palate from the very first bite. The menu also features seasonal desserts crafted with carefully selected ingredients—an exclusive lineup you can only enjoy here.
Located inside the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse—a landmark with over a century of history—it’s the perfect stop during a day of waterfront shopping and sightseeing.
Feel the sea breeze, reflect on the origins of ice cream in Japan, and savor a truly special treat at MILK MARCHÉ.
MILK MARCHÉ at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Location:Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No.2 Building, 1F
1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001
Hours:11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Closed: Follows the closing days of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
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Uchiki Bakery
As you stroll through Yokohama, the warm, toasty aroma of freshly baked bread drifts through the air. Why not follow that scent to Motomachi—the birthplace of shokupan (Japanese milk bread)?
Founded in 1888, Uchiki Bakery is one of the oldest bakeries in Japan, with over 130 years of history. The shop is renowned as the first in Japan to sell shokupan, preserving baking techniques originally introduced by a British craftsman during the Meiji era.
Their signature loaf, “England,” has been baked using the same traditional method since the bakery first opened. Made with house-cultured natural yeast derived from hops and slowly fermented over time, the bread develops a crisp crust and an astonishingly soft, chewy interior.
Step inside and you’ll find an atmosphere that still carries the charm of old Yokohama—a beloved local bakery where generations have gathered. Take your freshly baked loaf to go and enjoy a leisurely walk to nearby spots such as Harbor View Hill Park or Motomachi Shopping Street. It’s a simple yet luxurious way to experience the city.
With its historic storefront that echoes the spirit of Japan’s early modernization, Uchiki Bakery invites you to taste the original Japanese shokupan—treasured across generations.
Uchiki Bakery
Location:1-50 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0861
Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Closed:Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday)
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Yokohama Chinatown
How about stepping into a vibrant culinary destination where diverse cultures and irresistible flavors come together?
One of the largest Chinatowns in East Asia, Yokohama Chinatown is a truly special neighborhood where gastronomy and cross-cultural heritage blend.
The most irresistible part of China Town is the street food! Wander the lively lanes and you’ll find sizzling, juicy pan-fried soup dumplings, fluffy and generously filled steamed buns, and adorable panda-shaped buns that are almost too cute to eat. It’s perfect for grazing—sampling a little here, a little there—while discovering new flavors at every turn.
If you prefer a more relaxed dining experience, step into one of the long-established restaurants that line the streets. From authentic multi-course Chinese banquets to casual bites, the depth and variety of cuisine here goes far beyond what a single meal can capture.
Beyond the food, simply walking through Yokohama Chinatown feels like entering another world. Ornate gates, vividly colored temples, and intricate architectural details create a dazzling atmosphere that captivates visitors. More than just a place to dine, it’s a vibrant cultural experience.
Yokohama Chinatown
Address:Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0023
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UMAYA
How about dinner at UMAYA, a brewery restaurant in Yokohama where history and craftsmanship come together?
This restaurant houses the brewery of Yokohama Beer, offering freshly brewed beers crafted with meticulous care. Alongside these beers, you can savor dishes made with carefully selected ingredients from Yokohama and Kanagawa.
Yokohama is actually the birthplace of commercial beer brewing in Japan. In 1870, American brewer William Copeland recognized the city’s abundant natural springs and began brewing beer here, marking the dawn of Japan’s beer culture. Originally brewed for foreign residents, the taste gradually spread among Japanese people, laying the foundation for today’s rich beer tradition.
At UMAYA, you can enjoy artisan-made Yokohama Beer while feeling the story of beer’s birthplace. Raise a glass and savor one of the freshest beers you can find anywhere!
UMAYA
Address:6-68-1 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0013
1st & 2nd Floor, Yokohama Kannai Chisho Building
Hours:
Mon–Thu:5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM, Drinks 9:30PM)
Fri: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM, Drinks 9:30PM)
Sat: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM, Drinks 9:30PM)
Sun & Holidays:11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:00 PM, Drinks 8:30 PM)
Closed:Open year-round except New Year’s holidays
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