Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park faces Yamashita Port, offering beautiful views of the sea and large passenger ships. You can also enjoy views of the Minato Mirai buildings, Yokohama Port Osanbashi Pier, and Yokohama Bay Bridge. There are also many lawns and plants, making it a popular spot to enjoy the changing seasons with cherry blossoms and roses in the spring, and the autumn leaves along the tree-lined street in front of Yamashita Park in the fall. During the day, the blue sky, wide sea, and greenery of the park are beautiful, and at night, you can enjoy the night view. As a tourist spot and a dating spot, it is also popular among locals as a walking and running course. Yamashita Park is the most famous park in Yokohama City.

Yokohama has several famous parks known for their roses, and from early May to June every year, the city is adorned with these beautiful flowers. Among them, the rose garden at Yamashita Park is particularly large and popular. The garden boasts around 1,600 varieties of roses, each with different colors, shapes, and fragrances, making it a feast for the eyes. The "Mirai no Baraen" (Rose Garden of the Future), which can be enjoyed along with the harbor view, is definitely worth a visit! In addition to flower beds, there is also a rose tunnel, which is a popular spot for taking photos. Be sure to take a commemorative photo in the gorgeous rose tunnel.

Yamashita Park has various monuments and memorials that allow you to feel the history of Yokohama. Representative examples include the "Girl with Red Shoes" statue, which is familiar from a children's song, the "India Water Tower" erected by the Indian Association in Japan in 1939, and the "Water Guardian" donated by Yokohama's sister city, San Diego, USA. There are many monuments that convey the rich exchange with foreign countries, and you can see monuments that are typical of Yokohama's port town. The "Water Guardian" is located in the center of a fountain, and there are flower beds and benches around it, making it a relaxing place to take a break. At night, it is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Yokohama has long been known for its street performers, and almost every weekend, street performances are held at Yamashita Park. The location of the street performances at Yamashita Park is in front of the Indian Fountain. You can see different performances by about three groups of street performers. Some performers involve the audience in their shows, making it even more enjoyable to participate up close. The schedule for street performances is posted on the "Yokohama Street Performers" official website, so it's a good idea to visit and aim for the day of the performance of the street performer you're interested in.

Within a 10-minute walk from the park, there are many tourist spots such as Yokohama Chinatown, Yokohama Port Osanbashi Pier, Zou-no-Hana Park, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Motomachi Shopping Street, and Yokohama Marine Tower. For example, you can start at Chinatown, take a break at Yamashita Park, and then head towards Osanbashi Pier. There are many attractions, making it a spot where you can sightsee all day. While enjoying the view of the cityscape of Minato Mirai in the distance, the port, and the nature of Yamashita Park, you will arrive at your destination in no time while walking. The charm of this area is that you can enjoy strolling around.

Yamashita Park is home to the historic ship "Nippon Yusen Hikawa Maru," a nationally designated important cultural property. As a museum ship, general admission is 300 yen, 100 yen for elementary, junior high, and high school students, and 200 yen for those aged 65 and over. You can see the exhibition areas that showcase the history of the Hikawa Maru, including the passenger and crew areas. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the open deck is also open, allowing you to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Yokohama. The steering room, captain's room, first-class dining room, and first-class special room are just a few of the many highlights of this must-visit attraction in Yamashita Park.