Yokohama

Commodore-Perry-Visit-Kanagawa-1854

YokohamaTradersSadahide1861

Sales Room at Foreign Trade Building Yokohama MET DP147653

Yokohama Street Scene c1880

Kusakabe Kimbei - Yokohama Foreign Settlement Pano

Akarenga Yokohama 2012

Yokohama (Japanese: 横浜) is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.

History

Yokohama's history dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when it was a small fishing village. Its transformation began with the end of Japan's national seclusion policy in 1854 and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1859, which opened several ports in Japan to foreign trade, including Yokohama. The city rapidly grew as a base for foreign trade and settlement, becoming one of the first ports to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century.

Geography

Yokohama is located on the western coast of Tokyo Bay, directly south of Tokyo. The city's geography is characterized by its waterfront area, which includes the Minato Mirai 21 district, a large seaside urban area in central Yokohama that features many futuristic buildings, along with a large park and a Ferris wheel.

Economy

The economy of Yokohama has traditionally been centered around its port, which is one of the busiest in the world. Today, the city is also a major commercial and business center, hosting numerous domestic and international companies. Key industries include shipping, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing. The city is also known for its convention center, Pacifico Yokohama, which attracts international conferences and events.

Culture

Yokohama is renowned for its cultural offerings, including the Sankei-en Garden, a traditional Japanese-style garden, and the Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The city also hosts the Yokohama Triennale, an international contemporary art exhibition.

Transportation

Yokohama is a major transportation hub, with extensive rail and road networks providing connections to Tokyo and other parts of Japan. The city's public transportation system includes Yokohama Municipal Subway and a comprehensive bus network. The Shinkansen (bullet train) does not directly stop in Yokohama, but the city is easily accessible from Tokyo and Shinagawa Stations via conventional rail.

Education

Yokohama is home to several universities and colleges, including Yokohama National University, one of Japan's leading national universities. The city also has a variety of international schools, reflecting its diverse expatriate community.

Sports

The city has a strong sports culture, hosting professional teams in baseball (Yokohama DeNA BayStars), soccer (Yokohama F. Marinos), and basketball. Yokohama Stadium is a key venue, having hosted events for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and being slated for use in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

See also

• Kanagawa Prefecture
• Tokyo
• Minato Mirai 21
• Yokohama Chinatown
• Sankei-en Garden