Minato Mirai
A new city, born on the grounds of a shipyard and a rail yard.
At its feet remain stone docks from the Meiji era, the railway of the port, and warehouses of red brick.
The city of the future was built without destroying the past.
Where the Shipyard StoodBefore Minato Mirai
Where the towers of Minato Mirai now stand in rows, there was once a shipyard.
Yokohama Dock, which began in 1891 (Meiji 24) by repairing ships, later became the Yokohama Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and went on building and mending ships on this shore. Along the waterfront between Yokohama’s two centers, Kannai and Yokohama Station, spread the shipyard, wharves and the Japanese National Railways’ Takashima Yard, a rail yard. This was ground that sustained Japan’s years of rapid economic growth.
In 1980 the relocation of the shipyard was decided, and in 1983 the move was complete. In November of that same year, the Minato Mirai 21 project began. In 1989, on land still largely empty, the Yokohama Exotic Showcase (YES’89) was held here.
The district covers 186 hectares. As of March 2026, more than 94% of its blocks had been developed. Some 147,000 people now work here (according to City of Yokohama documents).
What RemainsWhat Remains
The City of Yokohama has set out to “pass on to the future” the historic assets that remain within the district. Walk the new city, and at its feet you will find, here and there, the work of those who came before.
- The Sailing Ship Nippon Maru and Dock No. 1: a training ship built in 1930 (Showa 5) that trained seafarers for 54 years. She was called “the Swan of the Pacific.” Nippon Maru lies afloat in Dock No. 1, built of stone and completed in 1898 (Meiji 31). The ship and the dock are both Important Cultural Properties of Japan. On certain days all 29 of her sails are set, an occasion known as sohan tenpan (see the official website for dates).
- Dockyard Garden: Dock No. 2, built in 1896 (Meiji 29). The oldest surviving stone dry dock built by a private company, and an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It ended its working life in 1973, and in 1993 it was reborn as a plaza at the foot of Yokohama Landmark Tower.
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Building No. 2 was built in 1911 (Meiji 44) and Building No. 1 in 1913 (Taisho 2), as national bonded warehouses. They were equipped with Japan’s first freight elevators and sprinklers. The City of Yokohama took them over from the national government, restored them, and reopened them in 2002 as a place of culture and commerce.
- Kishamichi Promenade: about 500 meters of a port railway opened in 1911 (Meiji 44), turned into a promenade. The Meiji-era iron bridges and rails remain just as they were.
- The Hammerhead Crane: a British-made crane installed on Shinko Pier in 1914 (Taisho 3). It was the first crane in Japan built solely for cargo handling in a port. It withstood the Great Kanto Earthquake and worked in the port until 2001. Shinko Pier was the first modern pier in the Port of Yokohama.
The New CityThe New City
- Yokohama Landmark Tower: opened in 1993; about 296 meters tall. Sky Garden, the observation floor on the 69th floor, is closed for major renovation of the building (scheduled to reopen in 2028 or later).
- Great Stages: PACIFICO Yokohama, opened in 1991 (its National Convention Hall seats up to 5,002, and its column-free exhibition hall covers about 20,000 square meters); Pia Arena MM in 2020 (12,141 seats); and K-Arena Yokohama in 2023 (20,033 seats). Music, conferences, sports: great events gather in this city.
- YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN: a ropeway that began service in 2021. It links the area in front of Sakuragicho Station with Unga Park, about 630 meters, at a height of about 40 meters.
Our Suggestion
At night, walk Kishamichi to the Red Brick Warehouse.
After the sun goes down, set out from Sakuragicho Station onto Kishamichi. Look back as you cross the Meiji-era iron bridges, and the lights of the towers lie reflected on the water. Walk on to the Red Brick Warehouse, and from there take in the harbor at night. This is the hour to savor, most quietly, a shore that has carried on since the days of the shipyard.
In 2024, Yokohama was named one of Japan’s New Three Major Night Views (according to the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau).
*This route is the Executive Committee’s suggestion. The Red Brick Warehouse is about a 15-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station by way of Kishamichi, and about a 6-minute walk from Bashamichi or Nihon-odori Station (approximate times).
PlayPlay
From Minato Mirai, the pool halls of Kannai and Isezakicho and those by the West Exit of Yokohama Station are each just a short train ride away.
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.
Where to StayStay
On the official website of the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau, you can narrow your search to the Minato Mirai 21 area.
Nearby AreasNearby
Sources (Japanese-language documents; checked October 1, 2026)
- 横浜市都市整備局「みなとみらい２１ Information vol.96」
- 横浜市「みなとみらい２１ Information（資料版）」（2026年3月）
- 横浜市記者発表「みなとみらい21地区の就業者数・来街者数」（2026年3月30日）
- 三菱重工「横浜製作所」
- 文化遺産オンライン「旧横浜船渠株式会社第一号船渠（ドック）」
- 文化遺産オンライン「旧横浜船渠株式会社第二号船渠（ドック）」
- 文化遺産オンライン「日本丸」
- 帆船日本丸・横浜みなと博物館「帆船日本丸について」
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「帆船日本丸 総帆展帆」
- 横浜赤レンガ倉庫「赤レンガ倉庫について」
- 横浜市「認定歴史的建造物一覧」
- 神奈川県観光協会「汽車道」
- 国土交通省 京浜港湾事務所（ハンマーヘッドクレーン 2018年12月）
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「新港ふ頭客船ターミナル」
- 横浜ランドマークタワー「スカイガーデン」
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「パシフィコ横浜」
- 横浜市観光情報サイト「日本新三大夜景 横浜 夜景スポット25選」
- 横浜赤レンガ倉庫「アクセス」
- 横浜ビール「本店レストラン」
- 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.