Bashamichi / Nihon-odori
The formal face of the port town.
A broad avenue born to hold back fire, and a street that keeps one “first in Japan” after another.
A walk toward the harbor, between buildings of stone.
The Face of the Open PortThe Port Town
- Nihon-odori Avenue: Prompted by the great fire of 1866 (Keio 2), known as the “Butaya Fire,” it was laid out to a design by the British engineer R. H. Brunton as a firebreak avenue 36 meters wide. It once separated the foreign settlement from the Japanese town; today it is a nationally Registered Monument (Place of Scenic Beauty).
- Bashamichi: The name, “carriage road,” comes from the horse-drawn carriages of foreign residents that passed along it. In 1867 (Keio 3), shopkeepers planted willows and pines in front of their shops; this is said to be the beginning of street trees in Japan. Japan’s first ice cream shop is said to have opened here in 1869, and monuments mark many other “firsts in Japan,” among them gas lamps and a photography studio.
- The Three Towers of Yokohama (King, Queen, Jack): the Kanagawa Prefectural Government Office (the King), Yokohama Customs (the Queen) and the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (the Jack). Walk through Kannai, and the three towers show themselves in turn.
- Yokohama Stadium: Completed in 1978 inside Yokohama Park, said to be Japan’s first Western-style park. A 2-minute walk from JR Kannai Station.
At the foot of Yoshida Bridge, which crosses from Bashamichi to Isezakicho, stands the Yoshida Bridge Checkpoint Site, the origin of the names Kannai, “inside the gate,” and Kangai, “outside the gate.” The story of Kannai and Kangai →
PlayPlay
The pool halls are clustered in Kannai and Isezakicho, a short walk from Bashamichi. To the Kannai & Isezakicho page →
Eat & DrinkEat & Drink
The flagship of the craft brewery with the longest history in the city of Yokohama. On the second floor is the restaurant UMAYA; on the ground floor, a beer stand with its own brewery. Its Alt won silver in the German-Style Altbier category at the World Beer Cup 2024. In Sumiyoshicho, Naka Ward, a 5-minute walk from JR Sakuragicho Station or Bashamichi Station on the Minatomirai Line. A fine first stop for an evening of hashigo-zake, bar-hopping.
Long-loved local places (we accept no fees for these listings)
A tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant founded in 1927 (Showa 2). Many works by Shiko Munakata, who had ties to the founder, hang inside. A 5-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Kannai Station.
Official websiteFounded in 1963. It stands on Kaigan-dori, near Nihon-odori Avenue. A 3-minute walk from Nihon-odori Station.
Official websiteWhere to StayStay
On the official website of the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau, you can narrow your search to the Kannai, Bashamichi and Isezakicho area. BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai also has a hotel in the old City Hall building: OMO7 Yokohama by Hoshino Resorts.
Nearby AreasNearby
Sources (Japanese-language documents; checked October 1, 2026)
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「関内・馬車道・伊勢佐木町」
- 文化遺産オンライン「日本大通り」
- 横浜市道路局「街路樹の歴史」
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「馬車道」
- 神奈川県観光協会「横浜道 開港場への道をゆく」
- 横浜市中区「中区年表」
- 横浜DeNAベイスターズ「横浜スタジアムへのアクセス」
- 横浜ビール「本店レストラン」「横浜ビールとは」
- 勝烈庵 公式サイト
- スカンディヤ 公式サイト
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「横浜市内のホテル情報・ツアー予約」
Travel times, prices and opening hours may change. Please check each official website before you go.