Yokohama Yamashita Park
Idyllic open space overlooking the trading port Yokohama
Yamashita Park is the most famous park in Yokohama. It has an elongated shape along the shore of Yokohama Port. The view of the sea in the quiet bay is wonderful. It’s also a good idea to wander around Chinatown and Motomachi, which are very close to the park, before coming to this park. I think the way to enjoy this park for urban people is to see the calm seascape in the city. However, I think it’s a good idea to fill your stomach a little while you go to this park. Then, in order to fill your stomach a little more seriously, it is good to eat spaghetti Napolitan that originated there at the restaurant of Hotel New Grand, which is across the street from the park. More casually, it’s good to eat pork buns at a stall in Chinatown, which is a few blocks ahead, or buy a bag of sweet chestnuts and put them in your pocket to eat. Buying food in Chinatown and heading to the park, you will come to the side of Hotel New Grand after exiting the east gate of Chinatown, going out the road toward the sea, and crossing about 3 roads. If you cross Yamashita Park Street that extends in front of you, you will reach the entrance of Yamashita Park. The first thing you see there is the Hikawa Maru, which is now connected to the shore so that tourists can see inside. The former luxury liner that sailed in the Pacific Ocean has a smaller impression than the current super-large cruiser, but when you go inside, you can see that the old luxury liner looks like this. It’s like a retro museum of the sea. And you can see the Gundam Factory where the moving Gundam of the anime superhero, which was installed for a limited time, is waiting for you to come, in the northeast direction on the right side facing the sea in the park. Now, let’s walk through the long and narrow park with the sea on your right. Let’s start with the stone square “World Square”, which is a small place on the far right of the park. From there, you can get a good view of the high-rise buildings in the Minatomirai area. The work of the stone square is exotic, reminiscent of some medieval times. From there, go down the small hill. If you go down one step further, you will reach a circular “stone stage”. There, you may come across a place where a brass band is playing. Get off from a small high place and walk along the promenade along the sea. We are approaching the entrance of Yamashita Pier where the Gundam Factory is located. If you look out over Yokohama Port from the wharf, you can see a very beautiful skyscraper and the sea. On the right side of the promenade, the Marine Tower can be seen out above the surrounding buildings.
Hikawa Maru is on the right side of the direction of travel, a little back. On the left, you can see a flower bed of roses and a fountain holding the guardian deity of water in the middle. Keep walking with the sea on your right. The promenade is lined with benches facing the sea, and if you sit there you can see the sea all day long. It’s a peaceful place. It’s normal, but it’s very beautiful, and it feels great when the weather is nice.
If you walk further along the promenade, you will see a statue of a girl surrounded by flower beds on the left side. This is a statue made with the motif of the Japanese nursery rhyme “Akai Kutsu” (red shoes). Then, when you reach the edge of the park, you will see an Indian-style drinking fountain in the square on your left. Street performances, which are rare in Japan, are held on Saturdays and Sundays in the open space. It is a seaside park event that you can enjoy leisurely on the roadside with the sea in the background.