Seabus Yokohama Station East Exit Platform

Yokohama Station Area

3.6 (121)Transit StationTransportation ServicePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated May 5, 2026

The Yokohama Station Area is the busiest and most commercially active part of the city, built around one of Japan's most heavily used transit hubs. While it lacks the historic waterfront charm of Kannai or Yamashita Park, it more than compensates with an overwhelming concentration of shopping, dining, and urban energy.

Yokohama Station is one of the busiest railway stations in Japan, handling millions of passengers daily across 6 railway lines. These include the JR Tokaido Line, JR Yokosuka Line, Keikyu Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line, Sotetsu Line, and the Yokohama Municipal Subway, making it the central transit interchange for the entire city.

The station is surrounded on both its east and west sides by massive commercial complexes. The eastern side, known as the East Exit area, is home to Sogo Department Store, one of the largest department stores in Japan, and connects to the underground shopping mall Porta.

On the western side, the Joinus shopping complex and the sprawling Yokohama DICE building offer additional retail, dining, and entertainment options. The west side also connects to the Takashimaya department store and the large Sotetsu Joinus mall.

Directly connected to the station on the west side is Yokohama Vivre and the entertainment complex Yokohama LOFT, popular with younger shoppers looking for lifestyle goods, stationery, and design products.

The underground passages surrounding the station form an extensive network of shops and restaurants, allowing visitors to explore for hours without ever stepping outside. These underground arcades are particularly appreciated during Yokohama's rainy and cold winter months.

The Minatomirai waterfront district begins just a short walk east of the station, easily reached on foot along the elevated pedestrian walkway. This connection makes the station area a natural starting point for visitors heading toward Landmark Tower, the Yokohama Cosmo World Ferris wheel, and the broader harbor district.

North of the station lies Yokohama Arena, one of Japan's largest indoor concert and event venues with a capacity of over 17,000 people. Major music concerts, sports events, and entertainment shows are regularly held here throughout the year.

The Nishi Ward neighborhood surrounding the station has a lively local dining scene away from the main commercial complexes. Side streets offer a mix of izakaya, ramen shops, specialty coffee, and casual restaurants popular with office workers and residents.

The area also serves as the departure point for several tourist bus routes covering Yokohama's major attractions, making it a practical base for first-time visitors to the city.

For travel beyond Yokohama, the station provides direct access to Tokyo via the JR Tokaido Line in approximately 30 minutes and connects to Kamakura via the JR Yokosuka Line in around 55 minutes, making it a convenient hub for regional day trips.

What other travelers are saying about Yokohama Station Area

Yokohama Station is an awe-inspiring testament to Japanese engineering and urban design. Ranking among the busiest transportation hubs in the world, it serves as the grand gateway to Japan’s second-largest city, seamlessly connecting six major railway companies, including JR, Tokyu, Keikyu, and the Sagami Railway. For decades, the station was humorously dubbed Japan’s "Sagrada Familia" due to its never-ending construction. However, the recent completion of the massive JR Yokohama Tower has transformed the West Exit into a world-class destination. This soaring complex, featuring the high-end NEWoMan mall and the gourmet-focused CIAL, offers a sophisticated shopping and dining experience that rivals the best in Tokyo. The rooftop garden provides a rare moment of tranquility with stunning views of the city skyline. The station is effectively split into two distinct districts. The West Exit is a bustling hive of activity, anchored by the classic Takashimaya department store and the sprawling Joinus underground mall. In contrast, the East Exit offers a more refined, spacious feel, leading travelers toward the iconic Sogo department store and the picturesque Yokohama Bay Quarter, where you can catch a "Sea Bass" boat directly to the Minato Mirai waterfront. While the sheer scale and volume of commuters can be intimidating, the signage is exceptional, with clear multilingual directions and intuitive color-coding. Whether you are transferring to the Minatomirai Line for a day at the port, heading to Haneda Airport, or exploring the local izakayas, Yokohama Station is a vibrant, modern city within a city that perfectly captures the spirit of the region.

bishnu lama

Jan 6, 2026

Main interchange station, its very easy to navigate with google maps. Even you get lost, some friendly staffs at tourist informations are very friendly

I genuinely don't have anything but positive to say about stations typically, but there is a glaring design flaw in Yokohama when failing to consistently label that the 'Blue Line' is the same as the 'Municipal Line'. Signs say one and then swap to the other at the next opportunity. Truly made this station more frustrating for a foreigner than Shinjuku, which is saying something.

Allen Kempf (Vaguely Canadian)

Nov 3, 2025

Bg area

navigation could use a lot of work