Travel to Japan

Silk Museum

The Silk Museum is an outstanding museum that portrays the role that silk has played in the history of Yokohama. In the years after Japan opened its doors to the world, silk was its major export, and Yokohama was the primary port for the silk shipping industry. It  houses a wonderful collection of silk kimonos and antique costumes fashioned from silk. There is also an exhibit illustrating how silk is obtained. This includes a display of live cocoons and silkworms from April to October. All the exhibits are well documented in English.

Minato Mirai 21 Yokohama Pavilion

Minato Mirai 21 Yokohama Pavilion was originally constructed for the 1989 Yokohama Exotic Showcase, or YES Expo, which unveiled the details for the Minato Mirai 21 project. The central feature was Gulliver Land, a model of what Minato Mirai 21 and the Yokohama Waterfront will look like in the 21st century. Gulliver Land contains scale models of over 3,500 buildings with 20,000 people walking through this futuristic vision. The lighting in Gulliver Land changes to simulate day and night. And, of course, the models illuminate in the darkness to create an image of a magnificent "City of Light." Admission is absolutely free and a must!!!

Hill, F. Ronald (Grave)

The only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Hill, Ronald, age 21, was murdered on July 6, 1921 following a struggle with an intruder at his house on the Bluff. He was born in Yokohama and schooled in England at Bedford Grammar School. He was a volunteer in World War I and was an employee at Messrs. Dodwell and Co., which he joined after his return to Japan following the armistice. He was known for his skills both at cricket and at singing. His father was Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada's chief agent and secretary of the British Association. Nearly 200 friends and relatives from the international community as well as officials attended the funeral.

Yokohama Zoo "Zoorasia"

Zoorasia is one of Japan's largest zoos, and also the most child-friendly zoo in the country. It covers an area of about 53 hectares and host more than 1,500 animals of over 150 species; everything from elephants to alligators, and tropical birds to piranhas. The exciting thing of this zoo is that the animals are housed in environments that are as close as possible to the wild thing. Even the vegetation and terrain are as natural as possible.

Yamate Residence 234

Yamate Residence 234 is a Western-style apartment building located on the Bluff across from Motomachi Park. Builted in 1927, a time when Yokohama was fighting to rebuild after the disaster of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. Yamate Residence 234 was a beautiful structure designed as an upscale apartment building. In later years the old building fell into disrepair, and it was bought by the City of Yokohama. Many assumed it would be torn down and replaced by a new construction.

Hikawa Maru Marine Tower

Hikawa Maru Marine Tower is one of Yokohama's premier travel agencies. Hikawa Maru Marine Tower can help you set up travel and accommodations for any destination in Japan. The staff is very helpful in finding the best package available for where ever it is that you want to go. They can arrange travel to your destination via plane, train, bus, or rental car. They can provide a range of accommodations depending on your budget. They can  plan an itinerary that will allow you to see and do all that you desire.

Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery

Yokohama has 4 cemeteries for foreigners, but the gaijin bochi is the best known and is also the oldest one. Established in 1859 when two Russian marines were interred on the grounds of Zotokuin Temple. Now there are about 4,500 graves, which include those of Meiji government employees, missionaries, teachers, journalists, traders, ships' crewmen, and military. There is an exhibition space with panel displays and photographs that outline the history of the foreign community in Yokohama.

Taya Caves

Taya Caves are adjacent to Josen-ji Temple and are located on the side of a hill. One story regarding the history of the caves is that the Hojo family excavated them in the mid-twelfth century as a safety natural box. Note the Buddhist drawings on the walls and ceiling which include some characters in Sanskrit.

Naka Ward Office

The Naka Ward Office is one of the 19 administrative offices in Yokohama City. Foreigner residents must report to the office of the ward they reside in to take care of such matters as Alien Registration, family registry, personal seal registration, and getting children enrolled in Elementary and Junior High Schools. Ward offices also administer National Health Insurance and National Pension Plans, and are where residents must go to file their local taxes. Despite all that it is also a community center that offers services like a Counseling Center for Foreigner Residents, and Volunteer Interpreting Services free of charge. It also provides information on local events, such as fireworks festivals, language classes, and cultural festivals that take place in the ward.

British Commonwealth War Graves

This is a cemetery in a breathtaking suburban Yokohama site, which has more than 2,000 graves of British Commonwealth citizens. The area covers more than 73,000 square meters. Land for the British Commonwealth cemetery was appropriated in 1946 for the military graves at Hodogaya. The distinguishing feature is the rows and rows of predominantly plain white wooden crosses.