Most cruise ships dock at one of two central piers — both walk to main sights without a shuttle.
Getting Ashore in Yokohama
1
Osanbashi International Passenger TerminalThe primary terminal for most lines. The wave-shaped rooftop offers panoramic bay views. Chinatown is a 10-min walk; Yamashita Park is right next door. Nihon-Odori station (Minato Mirai Line) is ~8 min walk for trains into the city and Tokyo.
2
Shinko Pier (Pier 2)Opened 2019, located between Osanbashi and Daikoku. Walking distance to the Red Brick Warehouse and Cosmo World. Bashamichi station is ~10 min on foot.
3
Daikoku PierA container-island terminal farther out. Cruise lines typically provide a free shuttle to Yamashita Park or Minato Mirai. Confirm shuttle details with your line.
4
Getting to TokyoFrom Yokohama Station (short taxi or subway from the port), the Tokyu Toyoko Line reaches Shibuya in ~30 min; the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line reaches Tokyo Station in ~45 min. Suica IC cards are the easiest way to pay.
💡 Pro move: Tipping is not customary in Japan — never expected and sometimes considered rude.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Yokohama has three cruise terminals; Osanbashi and Shinko are centrally located and walkable.
Yokohama is highly walkable and an easy launchpad for Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone.
Culture
Yokohama Chinatown & Yamashita Park
Japan's largest Chinatown is a 10-minute walk from Osanbashi — 600+ restaurants and shops packed into a few vivid blocks. Yamashita Park stretches along the waterfront just beyond, with views of the bay and the historic Hikawa Maru ship.
The futuristic Minato Mirai waterfront district clusters the 296m Landmark Tower (Sky Garden observation deck on floor 69), Cosmo World's giant Ferris wheel, the Cup Noodles Museum, and the Red Brick Warehouse shopping complex along a walkable promenade.
The Great Buddha of Kotoku-in stands 13.35 m tall in the open air — one of Japan's most iconic images. Pair it with Hasedera's hilltop gardens, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, and bamboo groves at Hokokuji. ~1 hr by train from Yokohama.
Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa's Senso-ji temple, Meiji Shrine, and Ginza shopping — Tokyo is 30-45 minutes by direct train. Best for early-call ports; confirm your ship's all-aboard time carefully before committing.
On a clear day, Hakone's open-air museum, Lake Ashi ropeway, and Fuji views make a spectacular excursion. Best booked as a guided tour to maximize limited port time; confirm weather before committing.
⏱ Full day🚌 ~1.5 hrs🗻 Fuji views (weather dependent)
A 180,000 sq-meter traditional Japanese garden dotted with relocated historic structures — teahouses, pagodas, and farmhouses spanning centuries. Seasonal blooms (plum, cherry, iris, lotus) make timing rewarding.
Yokohama's waterfront connects Osanbashi, Yamashita Park, Red Brick Warehouse, and Minato Mirai in one long, flat promenade walk.
Waterfront Promenade: Osanbashi to Minato Mirai
~3 km | 45-60 min | Flat & easy
Leave Osanbashi terminal and walk west along the harbor past Yamashita Park, through the Shinko Pier area, past the Red Brick Warehouse, and into the heart of Minato Mirai. Entirely flat and pedestrian-friendly with bay views throughout.
From Osanbashi, head inland 10 minutes to Yokohama Chinatown — Japan's largest, with 600+ eateries. Continue a few blocks to Motomachi Shopping Street, a refined boutique strip, then loop back through Yamashita Park to the pier.
Climate normals for Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
48°F / 9°C
34°F / 1°C
6
6:50 AM
4:51 PM
Feb
50°F / 10°C
35°F / 2°C
7
6:28 AM
5:23 PM
Mar
57°F / 14°C
42°F / 6°C
12
5:52 AM
5:48 PM
Apr
64°F / 18°C
50°F / 10°C
11
5:09 AM
6:13 PM
May
71°F / 22°C
59°F / 15°C
11
4:37 AM
6:38 PM
Jun
76°F / 24°C
66°F / 19°C
14
4:25 AM
6:57 PM
Jul
83°F / 28°C
73°F / 23°C
15
4:37 AM
6:56 PM
Aug
85°F / 29°C
76°F / 24°C
13
5:00 AM
6:30 PM
Sep
79°F / 26°C
70°F / 21°C
15
5:24 AM
5:48 PM
Oct
70°F / 21°C
59°F / 15°C
12
5:47 AM
5:06 PM
Nov
62°F / 17°C
49°F / 9°C
10
6:16 AM
4:34 PM
Dec
53°F / 12°C
39°F / 4°C
7
6:43 AM
4:29 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
💴
Carry yen cash. Japan is increasingly card-friendly but many smaller restaurants, temple entry gates, and vending machines are still cash-only. Post office and 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
🚆
Get a Suica card. Load it at any JR station machine — it works on trains, subways, and many buses across greater Tokyo and Yokohama. Far easier than buying individual tickets.
⏰
Tokyo day-trippers: watch your clock. The trip back can take 45-60 min; aim to leave Tokyo by 3 PM for a 5-6 PM all-aboard. Missing the ship in Japan is expensive.
🌂
Pack for rain. Yokohama sees frequent showers, especially May-September. A compact umbrella is worth carrying — convenience stores sell decent ones for ¥500.
🙏
No tipping, ever. Service is exemplary and tipping is genuinely considered impolite. Simply say arigatou gozaimasu — it's appreciated far more.
🍜
Eat in Chinatown. The dim sum and Cantonese-Japanese fusion is legitimately excellent and very affordable. Lunch crowds peak 12-1 PM; go early or late to avoid lines.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber Taxi, GO, DiDiUber in Japan dispatches licensed taxis only (not private drivers). The local GO app is more widely used but in Japanese. DiDi also operates here. Taxis at the terminal are plentiful and often easier than waiting for an app pickup.
🚍 Akai Kutsu (Red Shoes) Loop Bus
¥600 day pass
Retro red loop bus hits all major Yokohama sights — Minato Mirai, Chinatown, Yamashita Park. Runs every 20 min (weekdays) / 15 min (weekends). Single ride ¥220. Bayside Blue bus also covers the waterfront corridor.
🚶 Walk the waterfront
Free
Osanbashi Pier puts you right in central Yokohama. Minato Mirai and Yamashita Park are a pleasant 15–20 min waterfront walk.
🚌 Akai Kutsu loop bus
¥600 day pass
Red retro bus loops all major sights. Stops near Osanbashi. Day pass is exceptional value for a full port day.
🚕 Taxi
¥2,500–3,100 to Yokohama Station
Taxis queue at the terminal. ~5 min to Yokohama Station. Drivers rarely speak English — have your destination written in Japanese.
🚆 Train (Minatomirai Line)
¥170–220 per ride
Nihon-odori Station is a 7-min walk from Osanbashi. Direct access to Yokohama Station (connections to Tokyo). IC card (Suica/Pasmo) recommended.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Cruise Line
Vancouver → Yokohama
⚓ Calls 07 Oct 06:30 dep 06:30 202616 nights8 portsDeparts 2026-09-21
View itinerary · 8 ports
16 days, one-way from Vancouver to Yokohama
21 Sep 16:00Vancouver, BC Canada
23 Sep 07:00 - 17:00Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
