I have a 2 night stopover in Japan in October on my way home from Singapore. I will be flying into Narita. I have been to Tokyo several times, but never Yokohama. The Yokohama hotels seem to be less expensive than Tokyo. Would it be worthwhile to just go there instead of Tokyo? Is there enough to see & do for 2-3 days? Is transportation as easy as it is in Tokyo?

Thanks,

Dave

It's very easy to get to Yokohama. In fact you can get there right from Narita on the Narita Express. The question is, is it worth going? Yokohama's chief claim to fame in Japan is its exotic foreign atmosphere, particularly its large Chinatown -- but returning from Singapore why would you want to bother with that? There isn't much to speak of beyond that.

However, it wouldn't be a bad base to explore outlying areas, Kamakura, for example, which has the Great Buddha statue (worth seeing).

The other possibility that came to mind for spending a couple of days is Nikko, an hour or so from Tokyo. It has a stunning collection of shrine and temple buildings (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and beautiful landscapes. A little pricey to stay, but definitely off the beaten track.

I did go there instead of Tokyo and it was worthwhile. It is not as hyperkinetic as Tokyo and seemed to be a fairly nice city. I stayed at the hotel that is attached to Yokohama station. Transport is fine. There is a nice garden which I didn't visit. A ferry across the harbor. There is a harbor cruise also, that on a clear day should give a good view of the city and of Fuji-san (I think, I did not get a clear day and the cruise was really uninspiring).

Seems like your really are talking about one day and several hours, not 2-3 days , if it is a two night stay. I'm guessing you would be arriving from SIN in mid-afternoon. It would be 6PM or so by the time you got settled in to Yokohama. You have that evening, the next day to tour the city, then back to NRT on the next morning?

I think that with that schedule, I'd just head to an onsen area, like around Fuji-san, stay in a nice ryokan. A good hot soak at the onsen on the arrival day. Some touring or relaxing on the full day & visit the onsen. Then visit the onsen before heading to the airport.

I live in Yokohama so I'm a little biased but I like it a lot. A good day itinerary would be to go to Ishikawacho station, walk down Motomachi shopping street and head to Chinatown. I've been to the Chinatown in Singapore and I think they are very different. From there you could go to Yamashita Park and then walk or take a boat to Sakuragicho (Minato Mirai).

Other things to do include Sankeien Garden (in Hommoku, take a bus from Negishi Stn), Ramen Museum (in Shin-Yokohama, subway or Yokohama line) and Kamakura. If you've done all those things you could go to Enoshima.

I think there's plenty to do and I'd say if you haven't been there before, why not?

Bonjour,

Don't forget to visit the "Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum"

http://www.bento.com/phgal3.html

Landmark, Light House, and the Silk Museum are good too..

I live in Tokyo and would have some recommendations of things to see here. Asakusa, Tsukiji Market, come to mind. You can use Tokyo as a base to go out to Kamakura and also to Nikko. Those a couple of my favorite places near here. Myszka