Yamate and Motomachi

36 of 39 in Yokohama

Yamate and Motomachi are rich with history, offering a glimpse into Yokohama’s past when foreign traders were first allowed to settle in Japan during the late Edo period. The Yamate area, also known as "The Bluff," became home to many Western residents, and though much was lost during the Great Kanto Earthquake, remnants of this fascinating era remain. Visitors can explore preserved Western-style homes, many now museums or open to the public, such as Bluff No. 111. Harbor View Park offers stunning views of the Yokohama Bay Bridge and the surrounding area.

Below the hills lies Motomachi shopping street, a street with European charm that served the first foreign residents. Here, high-end shops, cafes, and restaurants line the pedestrian-only area. Not far away, the Foreigners' Cemetery, established in 1854, offers a unique historical experience. With over 4,200 graves, visitors can learn about Yokohama's early international residents through inscriptions and an informative museum.

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Motomachi-Chukagai Station (8 minutes, 230 yen from Yokohama Station) on the Minato Mirai Line is right next to the northern end of Motomachi Shopping Street and Harbor View Park. Ishikawacho Station (7 minutes, 170 yen from Yokohama Station) on the JR Negishi Line is closer to the southern end of Motomachi Shopping Street.

The Akaikutsu Loop Bus connects the northern Yamate district to other spots in central Yokohama. A single ride costs 220 yen, or you can get a day pass for 600 yen.