Fun and Romantic Things to Do in Yokohama at Night

Whether you live in Yokohama or you’re just visiting while on holiday, chances are you’re wondering what kind of fun you can get into on a night out.

What’s so great about this city compared to Tokyo is that you can have a really great time without the huge crowds or breaking the bank.

Here are some places that are open late at night with good food, drinks, events, and even attractions to ride!

1. Yokohama Chinatown

At the end of the Tokyu Toyoko Line, you’ll find one of my favorite places to visit in Yokohama: Motomachi Chuukagai (元町中華街 ・もとまちちゅうかがい).

It might seem a bit strange at first visiting a Chinatown in Japan.

After all, you probably came to Japan to experience Japanese culture, right?

The thing about Motomachi Chuukagai is that it has a distinctly Japanese-Chinese influence, just like Chinatowns in the US have an American-Chinese one.

The streets are lined with shops selling steamed meat buns, dumplings, and other kinds of dishes that you can find in most convenience stores across Japan. The difference is in the taste.

The seasonings used in Chinese cuisine pack quite a punch, and it’s worth going just to try the food. Most of the street stalls will close sometime around 21:00, but you’ll find some restaurants open as last as 23:00, and bars that stay open over night.

2. Gaze at the Kanteibyo Temple

You’ll quickly spot the Kanteibyo Temple after entering the gates of Chinatown. Its golden and strikingly red architecture makes traditional Japanese temples appear a bit dull and simple in comparison.  

Some people like the colorful design of Kanteibyo. It’s adorned with bright green dragons, fiery phoenixes,  and lanterns that light up at night.

In the daytime it may look a bit gaudy, but at night Kanteibyo is a luxurious sight to behold. It is said to be built as a dedication to the Chinese god of business and prosperity.

It certainly makes me think of money with all of the gold it has dripping everywhere.

If you find yourself in Chinatown at night, make sure to get a few good pictures in front of this unique temple in Yokohama.

Google Maps: Directions to Kanteibyo Temple in Chinatown

3. Hangout at Yamashita Park

If all of the shops are closed, but you still want to spend more time out, Yamashita Park (山下公園・やましたこうえん) is a great place to go to and relax.

Just pick up a few drinks and some snacks from a nearby convenience store, and then head over to Yamashita Park to sit and chat for as long as you’d like!

There’s no entrance fee to get into the park, and it’s open for 24 hours. This makes it a good place to sit and wait for the first train in the morning if the weather is nice.

It won’t be as crowded as in the daytime, but it’s a popular spot for couples, so you’ll likely see people on dates well into the wee hours of the night.

There are often festivals and special events at Yamashita Park, but they usually end somewhere around 21:00. Get there early if you want to join in on the fun, and take a blanket to sit on and stay well after dark!

Google Maps: Directions to Yamashita Park

4. Shin-Yokohama Station

Shin-Yokohama (新横浜・しんよこはま) is more like a business district than it is a sightseeing destination, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking it out.

Many travelers pass through Shin-Yokohama station, because it’s connected to the Tokaido Bullet Trains. As a result, the area is more catered to busy people that are on the go.

Be careful not to get run over by salarymen in suits, or families with large suitcases!

5. Eat Til You Drop at Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (新横浜ラーメン博物館・しんよこはまらーめんはくぶつかん) looks and feels like you stepped back into the 1950s era of Tokyo, Japan.

Inside you will discover a recreation of what the buildings and shops used to look like when instant noodles were first created.

The main thing to do at the Ramen Museum is eat, eat, and eat. I recommend ordering a small bowl, or share a larger one with friends, so you can sample as many varieties as possible.

It’s open until 21:30 and makes a great (although a little pricey) dinner option.

Google maps: Directions to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

6. Snuggle at a Love Hotel

Okay, it would be a bit disingenuous to write a blog post about fun things to do at night in Yokohama and not mention love hotels!

I know at least a few readers are curious about where to go for those kinds of fun things to do, but not all.

However, before I scare some of the more innocent readers away, you don’t have to go to love hotels just to do the naughty!

READ: What Dating Is like in Japan.

Japanese love hotels are infamous for their elaborate decor, unusual themes, and kinky audiences.

It’s easy to distinguish most love hotels from regular ones, because the exterior will be brightly lit like a Disney Castle.

No, really. I’ve seen a few that I’ve mistaken for theme parks, churches, and/or beauty parlors.

Even if you’re just out with a few friends, try renting a room just to gawk and giggle at the interior.

Usually the prices are listed outside with rates by the hour, and you can pay at a money machine without actually having to speak to anyone.

If you do spot anyone, though, just pretend you didn’t! Try to not make eye contact if you pass by any couples attempting a quick and discreet exit.

The streets of Shin-Yokohama are littered with love hotels, so you probably won’t need a map to find one.

7. Shop Til You Drop at Yokohama Station

Yokohama Station (新横浜駅・しんよこはまえき) is deceptively big. We’re talking floors and floors of shops and restaurants. More than one could possibly explore in a day.

What’s really impressive is its array of stores that sprawl throughout the basement and underground the city like tendrils. This makes it a shoppers paradise (even more so than Shibuya in my opinion).

I often get lost inside of Yokohama Station, because something around the next corner catches my eye, and I end up gravitating towards it.

Many of the clothing shops will close their shutters around 21:00, but some restaurants are open as late as 3:00 in the morning!

You can find places that are open 24 hours just outside the station to keep yourself busy until the next morning. There’s tons to do just within a 10-minute walk from the main exits.

8. Ride the Ferry Across the Harbor

The Yokohama Seabass is a ferry service that travels between Yokohama Station, Yamashita Park, and Minato Mirai.

There is a 2-hour cruise that starts around 19:00 that you can board and take in the harbor view after sunset.

The last one to depart is the Marine Rouge, and prices vary depending on the departure time, and whether or not you reserve a meal.

You can check the current timetable and ticket prices beforehand, and then call to book your seats.

9. Sing Until You Lose Your Voice

I’ve been stranded out in town more times than I can count, and ended up singing all night at karaoke (カラオケ). These are one of the acceptable places in Japan to be as obnoxiously loud and rowdy as you’d like.

If you’re with a couple of friends and still want to party as everything else is closing down, head to your nearest karaoke chain.

Most places will require that each person buy at least one drink, and you’ll have to specify how much time you want to use the booth beforehand.

I’ve slept in karaoke booths overnight with friends, and it ended up being cheaper than a hotel.

If the weather outside is bad or you’ve had a few too many drinks, you can recline on a sofa in a private booth. But, you may have to tell a friend to shut up so you can get some shut eye!

10. Minato Mirai

Minato Mirai (みなとみらい) is perhaps the most beautiful and iconic part of Yokohama. It doesn’t look that impressive during the day, but at night it really comes to life.

Dazzling lights from the amusement park, ferries, and towers set the tone for a perfect date night.

If you can only go to one place in Yokohama at night, Minato Mirai is the place to be. It’s fairly close to Chinatown and Yamashita Park, so I suggest heading there after you’ve checked out those two places.

It’ll only take you about a 20-minute walk, and will save you on the train fare.

Google Maps: Directions to Minato Mirai Station

11. Test Your Fear of Heights at Cosmo World

Are you afraid of big, tall, scary places? I am! How about being trapped in a giant wheel that takes about 15 minutes to fully rotate?!

You’ll spot the Cosmo Clock 21 before you’ll notice the rest of the Cosmo World Amusement park in the Minato Mirai area. It’s so bright and flashy against the night sky that it’s impossible to miss.

The Cosmo Clock 21 is one of the largest ferris wheels in the world, and is the largest clock in the world. It has a digital clock located at it’s center, but it also lights up at certain intervals to create clock hands that display the current time.

This ferris wheel is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of those experiences you’ll regret not doing. Trust me, I’m absolutely terrified of even small ferris wheels, but this one is something special.

Take a shot of something strong beforehand if you have to.

Just make sure you get on that ferris wheel!

The amusement park is usually open until 22:00, but the hours may change for special events or holidays. The ferris wheel, however, will stay lit up overnight.

Google Maps: Directions to Cosmo World

12. Landmark Tower Observatory

If a spinning wheel of death is too much for your heart to handle, the calm and stillness of the observatory, Sky Garden, in Landmark Tower might be more suitable.

Landmark Tower is the second tallest building in Japan, and hosts bars and restaurants with the best seats in town.

Take the elevator up to the 69th floor. That sounds terrifyingly high, but the elevator is so fast that you’ll reach it in under a minute. Sky Garden is usually open until 22:00 on Saturdays, but only 21:00 the rest of the week.

If you arrive at Sky Garden too late, don’t worry.  One would expect the observatory to be at the top of the tower, but nope!

13. The View at Sirius Is Pretty Serious

Okay, sorry for the lame pun.

If you have extra money to spend, then a window seat at Sirius: SKY Lounge is the top choice.

You’ll find it on the 70F. That’s right, the seventieth floor. It’s even higher than the observatory! And, the best part is that you can stay until around midnight.

You can book reservations ahead of time if you want the best view.

14. Catch an Event at Akarenga

Akarenga Sōko (赤レンガ倉庫・あかれんがそうこ) is also known as the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. It’s a historical building that has been converted to a shopping center, but maintains its classical aesthetic on the exterior.

The warehouse itself closes rather early, but it is the site of frequent special events that you can attend depending on the season.

Winter is perhaps the best, because there is usually a very large Christmas tree and ice skating rink open just outside.

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse also hosts many beer festivals, food festivals, concerts, and just about any other event you can imagine.

This is one of the stops you can get off at if you take the Yokohama Sea Bass ferry. Of course you can get there by train and with a little bit of walking, but that wouldn’t be as fun!

Akarenga is usually open until around 20:00, but there’s a very unique bar inside of it called the Motion Blue that stays open until 23:00.

There you can experience live performances by local Japanese Jazz artists in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

Google Maps: Directions to Akarenga

Website: Upcoming events at Akarenga (In Japanese)

15. Peer out at the Nippon Maru

The Nippon Maru is a ship that was built back in the 1930s, and is now anchored outside the Yokohama Port Museum. There are tours that you can take inside the ship during the day, but they end rather early.

That’s okay, because at night is when the ship really shines!

Something about the Nippon Maru sitting silently at night makes it both eerie and beautiful. With a bit more wear and tear, it could easily pass for a ghost ship.

This is another good spot for a date night, because it’s just so peaceful. You can slip a few kisses here and there in the shadows of this massive ship.

Google Maps: Directions to the Nippon Maru

16. Relax in a Hot Spring While Wearing a Yukata

Okay, so this has been a long post, and if you’ve tried a couple of the suggestions, you’ve probably had a long day.

After hours of walking around town and taking in all the sights and offerings, you’ll want to unwind and just relax for a while. This is the perfect time to soak in a hot spring at the Manyo Club.

The Manyo Club is located in Minato Mirai, and is open 24 hours a day. They offer various choices of hot springs and private baths, meals, and a comfortable yukata for you to wear while taking a much needed rest.

Google maps: Directions to the Manyo Club

Learn More About Planning the Perfect Night out in Japan

If you found this article helpful, then I suggest also checking out my post on How Much Spending Money You’ll Need in Japan per Day. It’ll help you budget your money wisely so you can enjoy your time in Japan without worry.

Do you know any other good ideas for things to do in Yokohama at night? If so, leave a comment below! I’m always looking for more good date night ideas. Especially if they’re free!