Savoring Daily Life by the Harbor: 9 Curated Spots in Yokohama

TRAVEL | Yokohama

Spend Time in Yokohama, Where History and Culture Breathe Amidst the New

You want to spend your holidays relaxing in your local area, but you don't want to lose the excitement and convenience of the city. For young couples and dual-income families raising children, life in Yokohama is gaining attention. Its popularity is evident from its six consecutive years topping the "SUUMO Most Desirable Town (Station) Ranking: Greater Tokyo Area".

Here, we introduce shops selected by Yokohama residents for when they want to enjoy a "slightly better everyday life," presented as a walking course organized by time. We hope you'll feel the charm of "Everyday Life by the Harbor: Yokohama," a place where the scenery of the harbor, which cannot be experienced in Tokyo, blends with historic buildings and modern areas.

Text by TOMIYAMA Eizaburo

Minatomirai | 11:30 AM | Trattoria Tabulé: A Relaxing Lunch at a Trendy Middle Eastern Italian Restaurant

Savoring Daily Life by the Harbor: 9 Curated Spots in Yokohama | TRAVEL

This new spot opened in October 2023 in "LIVING TOWN Minatomirai," a new commercial facility in the Minatomirai area. It was launched by two owner-chefs (Yoshiyuki Okuno and Fumio Yonezawa), who operate several Michelin-recognized restaurants, with the desire to offer an unprecedented new genre of cuisine: Middle Eastern Italian.

While based on Italian cuisine, the addition of unique Middle Eastern spices and herbs creates a complex flavor profile unlike anything experienced before. The only drawback is that the intriguing descriptions of each dish make it hard to choose, leaving you wanting to try everything. The interior is decorated with a modern interpretation of Middle Eastern aesthetics, and the courtyard in front creates a feeling of being transported to a foreign land.

"Roasted Cauliflower with Edomae Herbs and Walnuts, Peanut Butter & Spice Sauce." Cauliflower served like a steak, accompanied by a curry-flavored peanut butter sauce, is a dish that can be enjoyed heartily down to its core.

An example of the lunch course

Trattoria Tabulé
Address | 1-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, LIVING TOWN Minatomirai 1F
Hours | 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM), 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Food last order 9:00 PM / Drinks last order 10:00 PM)
Closed | Wednesdays
https://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1401/A140102/14092315/

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Nihon Odori | 1:00 PM | GALERIE PARIS: Discover Your Favorite Art During a Stroll

After satisfying your appetite, explore art at a gallery located in Japan's oldest reinforced concrete office building (formerly the Yokohama Mitsui Bussan Building). GALERIE PARIS hosts not only contemporary art exhibitions but also fashion-related solo shows, ensuring a new discovery with every visit.

Yokohama has hosted the Triennale every three years since 2001, and this year is one of those years. From March 15 (Fri) to June 9 (Sun), 2024, the entire area will be enveloped in art. Public interest in art is also growing, and the act of "buying your favorite art" is gradually becoming more common. On a typical holiday, take a stroll along Nihon Odori and find your favorite piece at a gallery in a historic building. Such moments are also delightful.

From the exhibition of Shingo Francis

GALERIE PARIS
Address | Yokohama Mitsui Bussan Building 1F, 14 Nihon Odori, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Hours | Inquire
Closed | Irregular
http://www.galerieparis.net/

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Nihon Odori | 1:45 PM | CAFE de la PRESSE: A Break at a Cafe That Recreates 1920s Paris

Across the street from GALERIE PARIS is the Yokohama Information and Culture Center (formerly the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Promotion Hall), built in 1929 and renovated/expanded in 2000. On the second floor of this building is "CAFE de la PRESSE," which opened as the museum cafe for the Newspaper Museum located within the center.

The interior, with its classical style and Art Deco influences, retains the 1929 design, uplifting the mood. Details like the tin counter, popular in Paris in the 1920s, were imported from France, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. Simply being in such a space makes one feel elegant. The cafe is operated by "Alte Liebe," a high-end French restaurant that has been loved in this area since 1965. As its cafe division, it offers seasonal sweets and lunches at reasonable prices.

CAFE de la PRESSE
Address | Information and Culture Center 2F, 11 Nihon Odori, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Hours | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last order 7:30 PM) *Lunch 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Closed | Mondays, Tuesdays
Closed | Irregular
https://cafedelapresse.jp/

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Nihon Odori | 3:45 PM | BLUFF BAKERY (Nihon Odori Branch): Drawn to a Town with Delicious Bakeries

About a 5-minute walk from CAFE de la PRESSE. BLUFF BAKERY was started in Motomachi in 2010 by Go Eitoku, who grew up in a family of fourth-generation bakers and trained at "Boulangerie La Terre" in Sangenjaya, Setagaya Ward. It is now a representative bakery of Yokohama.

The Nihon Odori branch is open only on weekdays. The New York-style breads, which are generously sized, use a variety of domestic and international flours for each product, resulting in diverse textures and flavors, all delicious. The selection ranges from traditional hard breads to bagels and savory breads. The standard loaf, equivalent to 1.5 times a regular loaf, can be reserved via an app, so be sure to try it.

BLUFF BAKERY (Nihon Odori Branch)
Address | 1-5 Honcho, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Hours | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Closed | Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays
https://bluffbakery.com/

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Yamashita Park Road | 3:30 PM | Yamashita Park: A Moment to Clear Your Mind While Gazing at the Harbor

Yamashita Park, stretching along the waterfront, is perhaps the most iconic park in Yokohama (about a 5-minute walk from BLUFF BAKERY). Its scenery never fails to captivate, no matter how many times you visit. Benches are placed at regular intervals along the sea, and the time spent sitting there, feeling the sea breeze, and gazing at the ships passing in the distance is simply sublime.

At "THE WHARF HOUSE YAMASHITA KOEN," located at the far left (westernmost end) of the park facing the sea, you can enjoy cafe menus and Yokohama craft beer. There's also a footbath terrace to soothe your tired feet. Amidst a panoramic view encompassing the Ferris wheel of Sakuragicho, Osanbashi Pier, the Bay Bridge, and the Hikawa Maru, this is a superb spot where you can enjoy warmth from your feet in summer and a cooling sensation.

THE WHARF HOUSE YAMASHITA KOEN
Address | 279 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Cafe), 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Restaurant)
https://wharfhouse-yokohama.zetton.co.jp/

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Shin-Yamashita | 5:00 PM | Yokohama Winery: Local Wines You'll Want to Serve at Home Parties

About a 5-minute walk from the eastern end of Yamashita Park, in an area lined with fishing inns, is "Yokohama Winery." This urban winery began brewing in 2017. It uses grapes from various regions in Japan, such as Azumino in Nagano, Aomori, Yamagata, Iwate, and Fukushima, and offers them as single varietals, allowing you to savor the true taste of each grape. All wines are unfiltered and have minimal added preservatives (some have none), making them fruity, vibrant, and with a dry base that makes them easy to drink.

The winery occasionally hosts an all-you-can-drink event for 1,500 yen per hour, featuring 10-12 types of wine. They also offer food pairings with prior reservation. Winery tours are available by appointment only. Wines can also be purchased through their online shop.

(Left to Right)
"Steuben 2019" A crisp and aromatic red wine made from Steuben grapes from Aomori. Its subtle tannins are perfect with meat dishes.
"Concerto of Sea and Mountains 2022" Made from Chardonnay grapes from Azumino, Nagano, this wine is easy to drink with its fruity aroma and crisp acidity.
"Twilight of Mahoroba 2023" The winery's most popular, this orange wine made from Delaware grapes from Yamagata has a gentle sweetness and allows the natural flavors of the fruit to shine through.

Yokohama Winery
Address | 1-3-12 Shin-Yamashita, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Hours | Weekdays 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Last order 8:00 PM for purchases and dining), Saturdays 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last order 8:00 PM for purchases and dining), Sundays & Holidays 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM *By reservation only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, excluding holidays.
https://yokohamawinery.com/

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Shin-Yamashita | 6:30 PM | Re:Journal: Encounter a Memorable Dish While Admiring the Night View of the Harbor

After enjoying a tasting at Yokohama Winery and a pleasant stroll for about 15 minutes through the harbor area, you'll find a hidden gem. "Re:Journal" opened in 2022 on the site of the former "Tycoon," a landmark in Shin-Yamashita. While retaining the glass facade offering beautiful views, it features 30 seats on the seaside terrace and 54 seats indoors, including counter seating.

This is a luxurious restaurant where you can enjoy creative Italian dishes that are as exciting to look at as they are to eat, with a little extra flair. Considering the location and quality, the prices are surprisingly reasonable. The course menu, which changes every one to two months, features exquisite dishes from homemade focaccia to appetizers, soup, pasta, fish, and meat. Each plate is a delightful surprise, making for lively conversation.

The course menu at the time of our visit, "Ricordo," included 7 dishes, sparkling wine, and coffee or tea. Other courses and à la carte options are also available.

During the magic hour of twilight, sipping sparkling wine while gazing at the sea view before you offers an easily accessible taste of being on an overseas trip. The fact that a pier is available right in front, allowing for convenient arrival by cruiser, is another highlight.

Re:Journal
Address | 3-4-17 Shin-Yamashita, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Hours | 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch last order 2:00 PM), 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Dinner last order 9:00 PM)
Closed | Mondays
https://rejournal.unicoffeeroastery.jp/

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Kaigandori | 9:00 PM | Osanbashi Pier: End the Day with a 360° Panoramic View

If you wish to savor the Yokohama lifestyle a little longer, perhaps while enjoying the night breeze, call a taxi from Re:Journal and head to "Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal" (about a 10-minute drive). This terminal, with its wave-like and ship-inspired form and beautiful wood-based interior, is a masterpiece.

From the rooftop plaza with its wooden deck, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Yokohama's major landmarks. It has also been selected as one of the "100 Best Views of Fuji in the Kanto Region" and is a popular spot for photography. Enjoying the harbor's night view is a unique "slightly better everyday" experience that only Yokohama offers.

Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal
Address | 1-1-4 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours | 24 hours (1F, Rooftop), 9:00 AM - 9:30 PM (2F)
https://osanbashi.jp/

With the development and redevelopment of Minatomirai, Yokohama is seeing an increase in people trying new challenges while embracing its rich traditions. The beautiful scenery, a gift of its port city status, is a significant advantage. The sea breeze and the sound of ship horns melt away the stresses of daily life, allowing for a unique "slightly better everyday" to unfold here. Currently, Yokohama City has also launched a relocation website called "Why I Want to Live in Yokohama". If you find yourself yearning to savor everyday life by the harbor, we encourage you to visit the site.

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Savoring Daily Life by the Harbor: 9 Curated Spots in Yokohama | TRAVEL