One of the busiest stations in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama Station is a large railway hub located in Yokohama’s CBD. Despite not being directly connected to the Shinkansen bullet train, it serves as one of the main interchange stations for the Yokohama area.
The area surrounding Yokohama Station is home to several department stores, hotels, and a vibrant shopping district. Notable department stores include Takashimaya and Sogo, with Sogo housing its own Museum of Art on the 6th floor. Other major stores worth exploring include the massive electronics retailers Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. Meanwhile, Tokyu Hands is a unique store that can best be described as a blend of a hobby shop, a gift store, and a hardware shop.
Beneath the station, you’ll find The Diamond, an extensive underground shopping centre that connects directly to some of the major department stores mentioned above. While it’s easy to get lost in the underground maze, don’t forget to venture above ground to the pedestrian-friendly streets surrounding the station, where traffic is regularly restricted. These streets are lined with amusement arcades, restaurants, and entertainment spots, making them a great place to explore.
Yokohama Station is the main transport interchange for the area, with all local rail and subway lines passing through or nearby. A large bus terminal and taxi rank operate from the west exit, while the “Sea Bus” ferry departs from near the east exit, offering a scenic route to Minato Mirai 21 and Yamashita Park.
Due to the high-speed nature of the Shinkansen, it was not possible to connect it directly to central Yokohama. Instead, Shin-Yokohama Station, located in an outer suburb, serves as the Shinkansen stop for the city. From Shin-Yokohama, you can transfer to one of two JR lines that will take you to Yokohama Station or Sakuragicho Station, the latter being a convenient stop for accessing the tourist attractions of Minato Mirai 21.
A popular alternative for traveling to Yokohama Station from Tokyo is using one of the six local train lines. Depending on your starting location, taking a local line is often cheaper and just as fast, if not faster, than transferring at Shin-Yokohama.
Here’s a quick guide to the best train routes:
- From Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Yokohama Station or the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya.
- From Tokyo and Shinagawa: Take the JR Tokaido Line, JR Yokosuka Line, or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line (the latter also serves Ueno).
- From Shinagawa: Another option is the Keikyu Railway Line, which also connects to Haneda Airport and Kawasaki.
