Exploring Minato Mirai 21 @ Yokohama, Japan

Minato Mirai 21 is a new seaside urban area which features modern looking buildings located at Central of Yokohama. There are many highrise building around and Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan until 2014 before surpassed by Tokyo Skytree. Yokohama was a shipyard until 1980 before it transformed into new city centre. There are many human made attractions around Minato Mirai such as Cosmo World amusement park, cup noodles museum, World Porters shopping centre and Queen's Square shopping centre. Overall Minato Mirai area is pleasant to walk around. The waterfront is lovely, lots of shopping and good place for family outing.

I think that Minato Mirai area is quite boring with not much unique attractions. Many of the attractions are newly build which does not have cultural, architecture or history element which makes it interesting. The plus point here is the place is very clean, convenient and proper planning with good restaurant options, shopping and a few tourist attractions which all within short walking distance from Minato Mirai station.


Japan tallest building until 2014. The Landmark Tower. Beside Landmark Tower on the right were Queen's shopping centre. Minato Mirai station is at the basement of the shopping centre.

From Yokohama to Minato Mirai station. Minato Mirai train line just opened in 2014.

Cosmo World amusement park/theme park.

House of Dr.Edgar at Cosmo World.

Good place for family with kids.


Cosmo World in cloudy weather. The Cosmo World theme park has two roller coaster rides, game attractions and the obvious large Ferris wheel which also function as a clock. In the evening, Cosmo World were illuminated which beautify the night view of Yokohama.

Roller Coaster Vanish. Scary name. Hope not going to vanish after the ride.

Cosmo World theme park is free to enter. If you would like to play their attraction or ride their roller coasters, you may purchase individual ticket.

The roller coaster will fall thru the water pool.

Walking nearer to the Ferris wheel.


That's fun.

Cup Noodles museum is a famous attraction in Minato Mirai.

Quite crowded during my visit on saturday.

Souvenir pack of cup noodles.

Unique flavour of Donbee Soba from Cup Noodles Museum shop.

Crowded shop.

Chikin ramen. I think this is Malaysian version of Mamee Monster.

Special edition of cup noodles.

At level 4, there is food court selling noodles from different countries. If you notice, there is curry laksa featured as Malaysian style noodles.

Cute chicky which is the object of photo moment.

Me in Cup Noodle museum.

Small park outside the cup noodles museum.

On the way back to Minato Mirai train station. Pass by saw this nice snow house.

Before I go. Take a selfie with snow house, Ferris wheel and lover bench in Cosmo World.

Inside Minato Mirai line train. Next stop is Motomachi-Chukagai Station which is Yokohama Chinatown.

Public transport: The nearest station is Minato Mirai Station via Minato Mirai Line which is located at the basement of Queen's Square and is two stations from Yokohama Station (3 minutes, 180 yen). Second option would be via JR Negishi Line (Keihin-Tohoku Line). Stop at Sakuragicho station which is just one stop from Yokohama station (3 minutes, 140 Yen).

Exploring Yokohama Chinatown @ Yokohama, Japan

Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and open since 1859. It is touristy, but there are plenty of Chinese grocery shops and food to try on. You can enjoy various Chinese cuisines, mainly Cantonese but also Beijing, Shanghai, and Szechuan dishes, while you may also want to buy some ingredients or goods. The main gate is unique and you may want to see it. With the opening of the Minatomirai Line railway, its easier to get to Chinatown directly at the Motomachi-Chūkagai Station.


Entrance to Chinatown.

Minatomirai Chukagai station.

Antique store.


George and Kawpie clothing store. Mostly selling light winter clothing and shirts.

Souvenir store.


Traditional souvenir items with Thai theme.

This shop selling many kinds of steamed buns.



Not sure what flavour of bun no 2, I decided to try it.


The bun is just ordinary. Its pork with some crab meat and preserved vegetables.

Typical chinese food restaurant.

Surprisingly, there are many restaurants here selling shark fin.

Ma Zhu Miao temple.

Best roasted chicken of Ikkaku @ Yokohama, Japan

Found this restaurant via trip advisor by sorting the best restaurant serving Japanese food at a reasonable price in Yokohama. Ikkaku came out top and all the good reviews were in Japanese. The shop is quite difficult to find as it is located on 6th floor of a building near Yokohama station. I am the only foreigner visiting the shop and fortunately the staff able to speak basic English. All the menu were in Japanese and I know people come here for their chicken dish. So I follow the crowd as well. Do expect to wait around 20 minutes for them to prepare the roast chicken. The meal is worth waiting.

Taste:10/10(Excellent. The roast chicken here is excellent. The meat were so tender and flavourful. Although a bit oily, but the taste were so good and melts in your mouth. Slightly spicy and salty which goes well with rice. If you prefer to have it with beer, it is well recommended).
Price:6/10(Moderate. The chicken thigh price at 890 Yen. I add rice, soup and pickles at 365 Yen. Total include tax at 1,356 Yen).


The best roasted chicken.