🗺️ Yamate and Motomachi Area

The Yamate area is located on a vast hillside south of Yokohama Chinatown. After the port opened in Ansei 6 (1859), the Yamate area, stretching into the Kan-nai area and overlooking the sea, became a residential area for foreigners. The "Yamate Museum," a wooden building that blends Japanese and Western architectural styles built in Meiji 42 (1909), along with several other Western-style houses, still retains the appearance of that time, and there are also relocated houses set amidst greenery. In addition to private residences, buildings that have been converted into shops, galleries, or cafes are open for public viewing. Furthermore, there are many attractions worth visiting, including the Foreigners' Cemetery and small museums. Among these, "Minato Mirai Park" is a representative attraction of the Yamate area. It offers a view of the Yokohama Bay Bridge and the expansive scenery of Yokohama Port. The park also features Japan's premier rose-viewing spot, the "English Rose Garden." Extending along the foothills is "Motomachi Shopping Street." This road connects the Yamate settlement with the harbor and gradually developed shops catering to foreigners. Many well-known Yokohama brands originated here, and in the late 1970s, it became a hotspot for the "HAMATORA" (short for Yokohama Traditional) fashion trend.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery from a high platform overlooking the sea. On the hills filled with exotic charm and greenery, many Western-style houses stand. Stroll through the small shops, cafes, and museums. The shopping street that nurtured HAMATORA (an abbreviation for Yokohama Traditional) exudes an elegant atmosphere. Shop at the long-established brand stores founded during the Meiji to early Showa periods.