Minato Mirai 21@Yokohama (off Tokyo): July 19,2010

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan (after Tokyo) and locates about 30 kilometers south from central Tokyo. It is famous for its port. I visited the city's Minato Mirai 21, an urban development area in the Yokohama Port district.

Minato Mirai 21 has been developed after the 1980s. There are convention centers, shopping facilities, cultural facilities, amusement parks and many other facilities in the area. 

There are two Red Brick Warehouses in the waterfront. The warehouses were originally built in the Meiji era (late 19th century). They were converted into modern commercial and cultural facilities in the 2000s. The original bricks and other materials are reused.

There are many stalls and restaurants in one of the warehouses (the other one is a cultural center). I felt retro-flavored mood when I walked in it. 

Yokohama port is the biggest port in trade volume in Japan. The main imports include LPG, iron ore and coal while main exports are automobile and mechanical goods. The passenger ships also arrive in and leave the port.

I saw only passenger ships in the Minato Mirai 21 area today. The sea and the sky were blue and beautiful.

I also walked Yamashita Park, which spreads along the seaside. Many families and tourists were enjoying the beautiful day.

I walked forward to a small hilltop park nemed "Minatonomieru Oka Park", which means "a park of good viewpoint to see the port".

I saw Minato Mirai's famous facilities over the port. The facilities include: The Cosmo World, an amusement park, and a Giant Ferris wheel called “Cosmo Clock”; the World Porters—a shopping and trade center; the Queen’s Square – business and commercial complex; the Pacifico Convention Center.

I could also see the Bay Bridge, which links both side of the port.

Map: Minato Mirai 21