August 25, 2025. Yokohama, Japan.
Today we were in port for just a few hours, giving us a chance to explore Yokohama City. We strolled for about an hour, admiring the clean, modern streets and waterfront views, before arriving at the Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum. Admission was only 500 yen, and the exhibits offered an impressive showcase of Mitsubishi’s long history of innovation. Displays ranged from achievements in aircraft and marine engineering to advanced underwater vehicles and even space exploration. Interactive sections highlighted the company’s efforts in developing environmentally friendly energy solutions, including nuclear, hydrogen, solar, and wind power—making the museum both educational and engaging.
Just across the street stands Yokohama Landmark Tower, Japan’s second tallest building at 296 meters (972 feet). The lower five floors house an upscale shopping mall and dining complex, but the real highlight is the Sky Garden observatory at the very top. For 1,000 yen, we boarded one of the world’s fastest elevators, which ascends at 45 kilometers per hour (about 28 miles per hour) and reaches the 69th floor in just 40 seconds. From the observatory, sweeping views of the city stretched in every direction. On clear days, visitors can see as far as Mount Fuji, though unfortunately the haze kept it hidden during our visit.
This part of Yokohama, known as Minato Mirai 21, is more relaxed and scenic compared to the busier western side of the city. With its museums, shopping, waterfront promenades, and iconic skyline, it’s an area that truly deserves more than a few hours—ideally a couple of days—to explore fully.
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