Naka – The Hidden Panorama

A View of Yamashita Park and Marine Tower

Yamashita Park with Marine Tower

Yamashita Park

The green park that we saw before we reached Hikawa Maru is Yamashita Park. The place is appropriate in such place where both locals and visitors enjoys the walks while appreciating the beautiful view that Port of Yokohama offers.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Yamashita Park

Hotel New Grand – at the front of Yamashita Park

Marine Tower

Marine Tower is located near where Hikawa Maru docked. Its front is Yamashita Park. The tower is considered as the tallest lighthouse in the world. We just took photos of the tower and we did not try anymore to visit its observation deck.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Marine Tower

Osanbashi Pier – An Imaginary Spaceship Resemblance Terminal

While taking snapshots of the surrounding area of Yokohama port, we cannot avoid not to see Osanbashi Pier. I knew it was a pier because we saw large cruise ships stops in the area. But without really thinking it is a pier I just thought that it was a huge space ship because of its color, shape and design, very futuristic.

Osanbashi Pier – An Imaginary Spaceship Resemblance Terminal

A Visit at NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and Exploring NYK Hikawamaru

NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum

Next museum we entered was NYK Maritime Museum. Here we spent time to see the exhibits in the museum. I saw a lot of ships display which showcases the history of NYK. We witnessed as well based on exhibits how the Japan maritime evolved through the years. Not so much photos inside the museum because it was not allowed to use a camera.

When we bought the ticket of NYK Museum, I selected the option where it includes the NYK Hikawa Maru entrance to save a bit on our tickets.

NYK Hikawamaru

A Visit at NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and Exploring NYK Hikawamaru

NYK Hikawamaru is a ship museum docked at Port of Yokohama in Yamashita Park Waterfront. The ship is a historical ship which at first, it was a cargo-passenger liner when it was built and during the war it became a navy hospital ship, then it returned to a cargo-passenger ship again after the war.

Entrance to NYK Hikawamaru

When we reached the ship, we realized the ship is not just an ordinary one. For me and my family it was a huge one. Walking from Yamashita Park, we walked to the entrance of the ship and climbed up to the Deck B where the main entrance is and we showed our tickets to the receptionist. After checking our tickets, we were freely able to walk inside the ship by following the track available to visitors.

Near the Reception at Deck B

At Mini-Theatre near at Reception at Deck B

Near the reception area, there are exhibits of photos of the ship displaying its some historical photos. There was a mini theater where it shows some videos about Hikawa Maru.

Walkway

First Class Childrens’ Room

We followed the walk way and along the walkway we saw the First Class Children’s Room. In that moment, I thought a bit and tried to put myself of being one of the child of the rich people at those old times and I thought that I probably felt really lucky.

First Class Dining Saloon

Our walk continues until we reached the First Class Dining Saloon. As my minds wondering as I saw the room, I imagined we were part of the ship where most people belong to high-class societies can be found and they were savoring their delicious food while on boarded in the ship. And I understood that time it was really expensive to be in that room, what more this time.

First Class Social Hall

We moved on and climbed to the Deck A where we found the First Class Reading Room. Then it followed by First-Class Social Hall.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Exhibition Room

First Class Cabin (First Class Passenger’s Room)

First Class Smoking Room

Next we saw was Exhibition Room, then First-Class Passenger’s Room followed by First-Class Smoking Room and Deluxe Cabin.

Port of Yokohama and Minato Mirai 21

Outdoor Deck

In Deck A, the outdoor deck can be found where I enjoyed the scenery around the Port of Yokohama and Minato Mirai 21 – the central business district of Yokohama located.

N1, N2 and N3 Deck

Wheelhouse

Looking Towards Yamashita Park and Marine Tower

We climbed N1 Deck, then N2 Deck where Captains Office is and climbed again in N3 Deck where the Wheelhouse is.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Third Class Cabin

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Engine Room

After enjoying the top deck areas, we went down to Deck C. In Deck C where we found the Third-Class cabin. The Gallery is located in the same deck too. Then, I got excited when I saw the Engine Room. And it’s not a small one it’s a huge room and there’s is a track we followed as well to go around the Engine Room. And there’s more, the Deck D, still housed the other parts of the Engine Room.

Exhibition Room

The last portion that can be found in the ship is the exhibition room that showcases the rich history of Hikawa Maru.

In the end, we were satisfied that we visited the ship. Being inside of that ship was a worthwhile because it was a tour like going back in time. Knowing that this kind of ship were already available in 1930s, proves that Japan already in advance technology of shipping and cargo lines. And that made me admired them for their developed talents and skills.

Enjoying the Open Space of Zuo-No-Hana Park

As I am following the trail in my Triposo mobile application, we enjoyed our walk along the way. Before we reached Yokohama Brick Warehouse, we enjoyed the walk within the port. We passed Yokohama Customs Museum and Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building

Yokohama Customs Museum

Yokohama Customs Museum (from Zuo-No-Hana Park)

Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building

When we reached Zuo-No-Hana Park or Zuo-No-Hana Terrace which is an open air plaza within Port of Yokohama, here we enjoyed lots of beautiful view around the port.

Enjoying the Open Space of Zuo-No-Hana Park

Views captured from Zuo-No-Hana Park where can see Osanbanshi Pier, Minato Mirai 21 and Red Brick Warehouse

Zuo-No-Hana Park / Zuo-No-Hana Terrace

After enjoying the picture taking and sceneries in Zuo-No-Hana Park, facing the bay, we turned left to visit the historical Red Brick Warehouse.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse – From Custom Houses To Cultural and Shopping Complex

After Zuo-No-Hana Park, we walked towards Red Brick Warehouse building. On our way, we crossed the bridge and we saw Minato Mirai 21 in different angle.

Minato Mirai 21 while crossing the bridge to Red Brick Warehouse from Zuo-No-Hana Park

Red Brick Warehouse is one of noticeable building structure around the Port of Yokohama. Both because of its color, old design of the building and its location in an open space in the port.

Entrance

When we entered the Warehouse #2 (based on the brochure I have), we discovered that the building are full of shops, restaurants, diners and cafeteria. We had lunch at the 1st floor of the building where the food court is located and they call it as Picnic court where I saw a lot of people. My whole family enjoyed our lunch. Then, we walked around the building to see different stores until we reached the balcony. The balcony is one of the spots in the building that I enjoyed because of the sceneries it offered which is the surroundings of port of Yokohama and a great location for up close and personal view of Minato Mirai.

A Day Walk in Yokohama – Popularly Known as Port City of Japan

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse – From Custom Houses To Cultural and Shopping Complex

Sceneries while at the balcony of Warehouse#2

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We haven’t visited the Warehouse #1 as the building used in exhibits and events.

I also learned that the building is a historical building in the city which used as a custom houses before. The building or warehouse #1 which is the shortest building among the two was partially destroyed because of Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

Up Close of Minato Mirai 21 and Dropping By at Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

Minato Mirai 21

We continued our walk from Nippon Maru Memorial Park until we reached the JR Sakuragicho Station. For me it was a great walk as the surroundings is really refreshing for me. Like what I experienced when my sister and I walked towards Ginza during our first night in Japan, the walk was relaxing since it still morning. The climate is not hot and just right for a good walk in the city. While we were quite a bit far from Landmark Tower, it was an amazing view of the surroundings which later I just learned that the central business district of Yokohama is called Minato Mirai 21 which means “Port of the Future in the 21st Century”.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

We crossed the Ookagawa River or Ooka River and followed the road until we found the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History. The museum was the former Yokohama Specie Bank (a Japanese founded bank which has a significant role in Japan-China trade during 1880s as per Wikipedia). The museum’s displays focuses on the history and culture of Kanagawa Prefecture. We went inside to check what we can see, were only able to had a glimpse in the first floor where some photos of the prefecture are displayed.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Nippon Maru – A Training Ship And Its Memorial Park

As we followed the walk way after getting off the Landmark Plaza, we saw a classic ship just outside the plaza. The ship is one of the few classic ship that I saw in my travel adventures. It has similarity in the Enterprize ship that I boarded when I was in Melbourne in terms of both of them can sail through the directions of the wind. Nippon Maru was way bigger and a bit more modern compared to the Enterprize.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

At first I did not know the name of the ship, since I am using an app in my mobile phone, I just discovered that the ship is called Nippon Maru. I also learned from brochure that I got that Nippon Maru was a sailing ship for training which built in 1930s.

Nippon Maru – A Training Ship And Its Memorial Park

The ship is actually open for visitors but we never get inside as we were overwhelmed and overjoyed in the city as soon as we started strolling around. The park where Nippon Maru is docked is called Nippon Maru Memorial Park. Beside the said classic ship is Yokohama Port Museum. Same with Nippon Maru, we did not get inside in the museum to maximize our limited time in the city.

A Transient Walk In Queen’s Square Yokohama And Discovering of Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

Queen’s Square Yokohama

Queen’s Square Yokohama (from the outside)

As we ascended from Minatomirai station to the 1st floor of Queen’s Square, all the stores were still close, since it’s still a bit early for the mall to open. We took the escalator, I can sense that the area has a bit of elegance and glamour. The ambiance that surrounds the place was also relaxing as the mall is spacious when we reached the 1st floor. We walked a bit in the Queen’s Square, then we went outside towards Landmark Tower.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

On the way to the 1st Floor of Queen’s Square

Queen’s Square

Elegant Directions

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Outside Queen’s Square to Landmark Plaza

Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

Between Queen’s Square and Landmark Plaza, we found a silver or chrome structural art. It is a magnificent roller-coaster-esque sculpture. As per map that I got, the structure is not only an art display, it has a purpose too. The art helps to break the wind tunnel that forms between the Landmark Tower and Queen’s Square Skyscrapers which still good to know. The public art is called Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo.

Queen’s Square (from Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo)

Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

A Day Walk in Yokohama – Popularly Known as Port City of Japan

It was Saturday and our second day in Japan. I had my itinerary for that day but initially I was having second thoughts on the plan, it’s just that too many places that I wanted to see for a short period of time. But since I can’t decide of places that will replace the activity for the day, I ended up following the plan that I created which was to visit Yokohama.

Yokohama is the second largest city by population (according to Wikipedia) in Japan following Tokyo. I think one good reason of being one of the largest city aside from being near or beside Tokyo as its strategic location is also because the city is part where Tokyo Bay is located. Currently Tokyo Bay was heavily industrialized where a lot of development occurred and Yokohama progressed along with it.

Based on history, Yokohama tremendously affected by what Japan called Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and World War II bombings which impacted the development of the city.

Seeing the city with my very own eyes, if there are historical evidence of war in the place or ruins of earthquake, it may not be evident to the sights and places that we visited during the day trip. The whole day that myself and my family spent in Yokohama was indeed a worthy visit.

Shimbashi Station

Yokohama Station

From Kayabacho Station, we took Tozai Line to Nihombashi Station, we transferred to Ginza Line to Shimbashi Station and from the same station we took JR Tokaido Line going to Yokohama Station. Around 10AM, we reached Yokohama Station, from the station we took Tokyu Toyoko Minatomirai Line which is a local train in Yokohama. We used the Passmo card in the local train.

We reached Minatomirai Station, we got off the station and we found ourselves inside the mall, wherein the Queen’s Square is just at the top of the station. I felt excited because it seems that there’s something exciting to discover in the city.

During our visit in the city, the places we saw in Yokohama were:

1. Queen’s Square and Mok Mok Wak Wak Yokohama Yo Yo

2. Landmark Plaza and Landmark Tower

3. Nippon Maru Memorial Park

4. Minato Mirai 21 and Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

5. NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Maritime Museum and NYK Hikawamaru

6. Zuo-No-Hana Park / Zuo-No-Hana Terrace

7. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

8. Osanbashi Pier

9. Yamashita Park and Marine Tower

To be honest, one day was not enough to see everything in the city, seeing all the brochures that I got, there are more places that I wanted to enjoy and discover. I hope I can comeback again wherein time is not really a constraint.

It was a great day spent in Yokohama.