What Advantages Does Yokohama Have Over Tokyo?

When people organize travels to Japan, Tokyo is one of the first places that people will wish to visit.

After all, it is the capital city of Japan and its largest city. It’s known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Shibuya Crossing.

Plus, the city offers plenty of activities for you to get involved with.

Unfortunately, Yokohama is often overlooked as a holiday destination. Behind Tokyo, Yokohama is the city with the second largest population.

There are loads of reasons to visit the city. Let’s explore some of the advantages that Yokohama offers over Tokyo!

A Little Bit About Yokohama

Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. Like Tokyo, Yokohama is filled with culture and economy.

There are tons of awesome tourist attractions and places to visit in Yokohama, such as the Yokohama Chinatown, Ōsanbashi Pier, Sojiji Temple, and Sankeien Garden.

What Advantages Does Yokohama Have Over Tokyo?

There are loads of reasons why you should visit Yokohama. Here are some of the advantages that the city has over Tokyo:

The Yokohama Chinatown

As mentioned, Yokohama’s Chinatown is one of the most popular destinations in the city. Founded in the sea harbor in 1859, this Chinatown is a beautiful and lively area.

There are a plethora of delightful shops, cafes, and restaurants that line these streets. You can sample delicious Chinese food here.

Yokohama Chinatown is filled with beautiful architecture and vibrant decorations, which give the location an authentic vibe.

It contains approximately 250 Chinese-owned establishments.

This is the biggest Chinatown in Japan. So if you wish to experience Chinese culture while in Japan, you should drop by Yokohama Chinatown. 

Yokohama Is Much Cheaper

Tokyo is a phenomenal place to visit and live, but it is renowned for being quite expensive.

If you are planning a trip to Japan and don’t want to spend a fortune, Yokohama is the better option than Tokyo.

Yokohama is cheaper to live in than Tokyo (see also our article on where wealthy people live in Japan) thanks to lower transportation and accommodation costs.

Not to mention, food prices are often significantly smaller in Yokohama than in Tokyo. 

On average, you will end up spending around ¥15,000 every day during a vacation in Yokohama for combined costs.

In contrast, the typical visitor will spend roughly ¥19,000 per day.

Simple Transportation

Traveling through Yokohama is extremely easy. This is thanks to the wide range of public transport on offer.

The city is home to Yokohama Station in Nishi-ku. The station is used by roughly 700 million passengers every year. 

Yokohama offers transportation throughout Japan thanks to a wide assortment of railway lines.

This includes the East Japan Railway Company, Sagami Railway, and Tokyu Corporation.

This is useful for visitors and commuters, who take advantage of this sensational station.

Though Tokyo station may be more widely used, Yokohama Station is simpler to navigate.

It Has Lovely Landscapes

Japanese cities are renowned more for their urban buildings and tourist attractions than their beautiful landscapes.

Yet, Yokohama is also home to lots of stunning scenes, which are arguably superior to the landscapes in Tokyo.

We especially adore all of the beautiful rivers in Yokohama, such as the Tsurumi River, which starts at the Onda and Yamoto rivers.

Not to mention, there’s the Nakamura River. These rivers are relaxing scenes that are perfect for picnics.

Moreover, Yokohama is home to a plethora of gorgeous gardens and parks.

For instance, Sankeien is a traditional Japanese garden that’s worth visiting.

If you happen to visit the garden in March or April, you might be lucky enough to see the stunning cherry blossoms that grow during this time of year.

This is a major advantage that Yokohama has over Tokyo since this city is home to so few spots of natural beauty.

It’s Home To The Kirin Beer Village

If you are a fan of beer, the Kirin Beer Village in Yokohama is certainly worth visiting. Kirin is one of the largest beer brands in Japan, having been around since 1888. 

In the city, there is an entire village dedicated to this refreshing beverage.

This brewery offers tours, which will let you find out all about the history of this company. Plus, you can find out how the beer is made. 

So if you know a beer lover, the Kirin Beer Village is a great place to explore.

Because it was founded in Yokohama, Kirin is connected to the identity of this city, which cannot be said for Tokyo. 

There Are Many Magnificent Museums

Do you love history and culture? If so, you will likely want to attend some of the marvelous museums situated in Yokohama.

The Hara Model Railway Museum is ideal for railway enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the Yokohama Museum of Art is home to unique modern art collections. This museum also champions a range of Japanese artists. 

Another outstanding option is the Yokohama Science Center. If you are passionate about space and science, we strongly suggest attending this incredible museum. 

If you adore ramen, you stop by the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.

As opposed to a traditional museum, the ramen museum is a food hall. Open since 1994, this is the world’s very first food-themed park. 

Though Tokyo is also lined with museums, the unique selection of museums in Yokohama allows it to stand out from other destinations in Japan.

Yokohama Zoo Is Inhabited By Rare Animals

Since 1999, Yokohama Zoo has been home to some unique animals (see also ‘What Is The National Animal Of Japan?‘) that you are unlikely to find elsewhere. It’s the largest zoo in Japan and features over 700 animals (see also our article on dangerous animals in Japan). 

The zoo is broken down into 8 different themed sections, namely African Savannah, Amazonian Jungle, African Tropical Forest, Asian Tropical Forest, Oceanic Grassland, Subarctic Forest, Japanese Countryside, and Central Asian Highland. 

If you wish to see rare creatures such as tanuki, okapi, Bateleur, and red pandas, it is worth visiting the amazing Yokohama Zoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yokohama A Good Place To Live?

Yes, Yokohama is an excellent place to live. This is thanks to the wide variety of things to do in the city.

This not only means that it is a lively place to live, but it also means that there are plenty of job opportunities here.

Plus, the cost of living is noticeably cheaper than in Tokyo, making it a better option for people who will be living on a tight budget.

Is Yokohama Safe?

Whether you are hoping to visit Yokohama or live there permanently, you can rest assured that this city is safe.

This is thanks to a low crime rate. However, you should still be vigilant and take safety measures to ensure that you are not at risk in Yokohama. 

If you are ever in an unsafe situation, dial 110 for the police or 119 to summon an ambulance.

Why Is Tokyo So Expensive?

Many parts of Tokyo are expensive because it focuses on high-end and luxury living.

Not to mention, the Japanese government is located here. Many big businesses also reside in Tokyo, thus increasing the cost of living.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, if you wish to visit Japan, it is worth paying a visit to Yokohama.

Though it may not be as well known as Tokyo, this underappreciated city has tons to offer to tourists looking to have a good time. So what are you waiting for?!