Y o k o h a m a

I did say that I wanted to visit new places when I am in Tokyo, and Yokohama is one of it. It is less than an hour from Tokyo and is easily reached via the rapid train. We arrived at Chinatown and since it is 3rd day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, I hope to catch some 'celebration'. Not that I like CNY but being a tourist, anything familiar in a new place can be considered as refreshing.

Japan's largest Chinatown is located in Yokohama, and it has numerous restaurants, eateries and shops in its narrow and colourful streets.

 Most of the products on sale here have been 'Japanised', and cater more to the local market.

Red lantern is a common sight in Chinatown.

Familiar?

It's the trademark clothing of legendary fighter Bruce Lee.

When I least expected, we came across this shop that sells everything K-pop.

I must say it has a wide collections of K-pop memorabilia.

In fact, this shop has so much more than any shops in Seoul. I am impressed!

Arhhhh....Kara! Daebak!

We left Chinatown for Motomachi, a high-end shopping street.

Motomachi has a lot of European influences, from architecture to the mechandise that the shops sell.

Brilliant colours.

Off road, literally.

Trying her luck with the grab machine.

Lady 'walking' her cat. You don't see this often.

These hounds are well clothed, like their owner.

Thanks to Eliza Scidmore's persistence, USA got its first cherry trees when Tokyo donated a batch to Washington DC in 1912.

 
Hikawa Maru, a massive liner, has since been retired and is now a museum.

Cruise ship docking at the harbour,

More berths with Minato Mirai 21 in the background.

Yamashita Park is a popular park along the waterfront.

Yokohama Marine Tower, standing tall near the park.

Cosmo World Ferris Wheel.

Cosplayers getting ready to show off their costumes.

How long more do I have to wait? My hair is turning red!

Are we late for the cosplay gathering?

Let's cuddle up to keep warm.

The once Red Brick Warehouses have been converted to a shopping and dining haven.

A skating rink in front of the warehouse.

Old and young come here to enjoy themselves.

Girls just wanna have fun.

Let's rah rah for a good time tonight. Whoever falls pay for dinner.

With careful guidance, the next Mao Asada is in the making.

There are many places to visit in Yokohama. With just a day, we could only visit places that are popular and accessible. We did a lot of walking, and I am grateful the wife was up to the challenge without a single complaint. We visited shops, but unfortunately, nothing caught her eyes. The visit to Yokohama has become more of a sightseeing trip ultimately. Will I return? Only the wife can answer that.

And another travel trip awaiting....