10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Yokohama

Upon the opening of the Port of Yokohama in 1859, many traders migrated from China and formed the city's Chinatown as they settled here in Yokohama. However, due to the Sino-Japanese War in the Meiji era, the early Chinese settlers left the area, and it eventually transformed into a town of cuisine featuring restaurants operated by Cantonese people. Today, as many as 250 Chinese restaurants can be found here, with the area famous nation-wide as a foodie destination that is unique to Yokohama. Of these restaurants, 12 have continued to operate for more than half a century, and the oldest is Heichinrou.

At the Yokohama Honten (Main Store), which has more than 50 chefs, you can enjoy Cantonese cuisine carefully prepared with an emphasis on authentic flavours. Along with the Zenrinmon-gate on Main Street, the other 9 Chinese-style gates are also worth a look. In 2013, a new service called "Concierge" was launched to provide directions. They are all volunteers and are identified by their "Guide" armbands.

You can relax and enjoy the prestigious Atami and Yugawara hot springs right here in Yokohama. From the foot spa garden there are fantastic views of Minatomirai. Open-air baths, hinoki (Japanese cypress) baths, mist bathing, baths you can lie down in, stone baths, a grand bath... this onsen has it all! A bath that you can rent exclusively for your own family is a nice way to relax in private.

With its bedrock baths and a full range of spa services, this is the perfect place to pamper yourself. Everything from make-up remover to yukata (Japanese bathrobes), not to mention shampoo, conditioner and towels, is available for use at any time. Once you've finished your bath time, families are free to play and relax with table tennis, games, karaoke, comic books, and a kids' corner. You can also dine and lodge here.

This amusement park is well known for its giant Ferris wheel, the landmark of Yokohama. Standing at a height of 112.5 metres and with capacity for 480 people, CosmoClock 21 is officially registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest Ferris wheel with a clock feature, and was created as a pavilion for the 1989 Yokohama Expo (YES'89). You can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Yokohama while taking a 15-minute aerial walk in the sky.

The famous illumination was redesigned in 2016 with full-colour LEDs, creating a 3D display of fireworks and kaleidoscopes in approximately 16.7 million colours. Other attractions include roller-coasters and rides, amusement facilities for children and adults, as well as a food court and souvenir shop. With its beautiful nightscape, this is not only a great place for families to go out, but also for couples on dates.

Enjoy an educational trip for adults with a tour of a beer factory! After sampling the raw materials of beer — the taste of malt and the aroma of the hops — you can explore the factory and see the huge brewing kettles. Of course the tasting is the highlight of the tour, and you can compare the first- and second-pressed wort (beer before the yeast is introduced) before sampling the beer proper. Soft drinks for younger visitors and designated drivers are also available.

After the tour, why not visit the attached restaurant to try pairings of beer with matching snacks? Options range from barbecue to Jingisukan (Genghis Khan: Mongolian lamb barbecue), all of which will make your beer experience even better. There are also regular events such as garden walks and hands-on beer brewing classes.

Built as government bonded warehouses as part of the construction project of the new port wharf from the end of the Meiji era (1868-1912) to the beginning of the Taisho era (1912-1926), the state-of-the-art technology of the time was used throughout yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, including Japan's first cargo elevator, fire sprinklers, and fire doors. Reborn as a commercial facility in 2002 after surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake and the United States military requisition, this site has been recognised as a Heritage of Industrial Modernisation by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and has won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Excellence in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

Today, it attracts many tourists with its diverse lineup of stores, cafés, restaurants, event spaces, lawn plazas, jazz bars and other typical Yokohama features. The era of national isolation ended with the arrival of Commodore Perry and the opening of Yokohama Port. Here you can really feel the history and culture of Yokohama, because this is precisely where a new era dawned.

This museum, with its distinctive exterior designed by Kenzo Tange, one of Japan's most prominent architects, was opened in 1989. There are 7 exhibition rooms and many workshops to familiarise you with modern and contemporary art from the early days of Yokohama Port. Its collection features Dali, Magritte, Cézanne, Picasso and many others across more than 12,000 works by artists closely associated with Yokohama dating back to the late Edo and Meiji periods.

The museum's rich collection of photographs is built on Yokohama's position as one of the earliest centres of photography. There are various gallery talks and temporary exhibitions held here, so it's a good idea to check the schedule in advance. Going into the atrium at the entrance, you'll find the exhibition rooms on the floor at the top of the escalator. The right side is dedicated to special exhibitions and the left side houses the museum's permanent collection. There's also a museum shop and café. The studio, hall, and art information centre are all open to the public.

Commonly known as RA-HAKU, this is the world's first food-themed amusement park. It opened in 1994 with the concept of being a one-stop destination to enjoy the flavours of this national dish from renowned ramen shops across Japan without having to board a plane. In 2013, a project was launched to introduce overseas ramen stores, and now you can find not only famous Japanese stores from Hokkaido to Kyushu, but also ramen from popular restaurants around the world. And if you want to try a few different types, don't worry: every shop here will also serve mini portions!

With tableware and chairs for children also provided, RA-HAKU is perfect for a family visit. Not only can you eat delicious local ramen on the spot, but you can also buy take-away ramen supervised by each of the store owners at the museum shop. And there are plenty of trinkets, too!

Located on the 69th floor of Yokohama Landmark Tower, this observatory floor provides a stunning view of the city from a height of 273 metres. The evening view from the SKY GARDEN is absolutely stunning and will definitely put you in a romantic mood. With the sky to the northwest and southwest glowing a brilliant shade of orange, you can sometimes catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance. Turning to the northeast as the sun sets, the Ferris wheel and the beautiful neon lights of Minatomirai come into view. Enjoy the spectacular view with a drink or a meal at the Sky Café.

All the seats for couples are located next to the all-glass windows, making this a perfect place to spend a special night with your loved one on your birthday or anniversary. Also check out the Tower Shop, which has about 600 original goods, and the portrait artist store run by a team of professional illustrators.

This entertainment facility in Yokohama's Chinatown has everything you need for amusement, dining, shopping, relaxation and more. Here you'll find the Yokohama Chocolate Factory & Museum with a café and store where you can enjoy freshly made chocolate, and the Yokohama Daisekai Market with all kinds of Chinese and Yokohama-related souvenirs, as well as fortune telling, reflexology and photoshoots in Chinese dress. This must-visit site also features special temporary exhibitions.

The dim sum (Chinese dumplings) stall on the first floor, FUKIPAOZURO, is famous after being featured on TV and it has a large menu of delicious snacks that you can munch on while walking around. Make sure you try the original Kurobuta shumai (black pork dumplings), Niku-nira manjuu (steamed buns with chives and meat) and other yummy dim sum specialties of Yokohama.

Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoo is home to herbivorous animals from around the world, including koalas, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. The zoo has several zones dedicated to different continents, such as Eurasia, Oceania and Africa. The Honobono Hiroba zone lets you interact with ponies, goats, and sheep. There's also a barbecue area that's excellent for family picnics. 

The amazing view is another highlight of Yokohama Municipal Kanazawa Zoo. Cherry and plum blossoms can be observed in spring. The zoo's Omoshiro Shizenrin and Nonohana Kan areas put on nature exhibits that are worth checking out, too.