The Global Spirit of Yokohama: An Ever-Evolving City

A model of urban design and integrated development, Yokohama is one of the most dynamic places in Japan to live, visit, and attend international events.

Approximately 30 kilometers south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan’s second most populous city and a major commercial port, industrial hub, and economic center. Renowned for its integrated urban planning, cultural accessibility, and international character, Yokohama consistently ranks among the most popular and livable cities in Japan. A global travel destination for commerce, tourism, and exchange, this historic port city serves as a model of sustainable urban design in Japan.

A city for everyone

Yokohama draws tens of millions of visitors annually, captivated by its rich cultural and recreational offerings. Interactive museums, including the Cup Noodles Museum and the Hara Model Railway Museum, are popular with families. Cosmo World, a seaside amusement park, is a favorite with tourists and residents of all ages.

Cultural landmarks include the Red Brick Warehouse, the Yokohama Museum of Art, and the NIPPON MARU, a historic ship in the bay. The city is home to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team and the Yokohama F. Marinos football club, with stadiums and venues hosting both sporting and musical events. Parks and gardens offer ample recreational opportunities, often featuring art installations and sculptures and hosting seasonal events, including nighttime illuminations.

From drone shows to fireworks, illuminations regularly light up the night in Yokohama. Image courtesy of @YDB. Provided by Drone Show Japan, Inc.

Yokohama’s international roots

Before it became a global city, Yokohama was a small fishing village during Japan’s isolationist Edo period (1603–1867). Then, in the 1850s, a U.S. naval mission prompted the Japanese government to open the country to international trade. Yokohama was one of the first ports to accommodate foreign merchants and quickly developed into a center of commerce and cultural exchange, attracting traders and settlers from abroad. Many Western-style buildings were built at the time, including those that can still be seen in areas such as the Yamate district. This era was fundamental in establishing Yokohama as the diverse, global city it is today.

Minatomirai 21: Yokohama’s iconic waterfront development

Much of Yokohama was destroyed during World War II, and in the postwar period, the city faced environmental issues, rising demand for housing, and declining industrial infrastructure. The local government responded by shifting from industry-led development to people-centered urban planning. An example of this is the Minatomirai 21 project initiated in the 1980s.

Meaning “future harbor of the 21st century,” Minatomirai 21 is a large-scale waterfront development built on reclaimed land. It was designed not only to revitalize Yokohama by connecting its two major downtown areas, Kannai and the Yokohama Station district, but also to serve as a regional center for business, commerce, and international exchange. By concentrating key industries outside the capital, the project supports more balanced development across the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.

It is a major business and tourism hub, with office towers, residences, shopping malls, museums, leisure facilities, and ample green spaces. The entire area was designed with community and environmental resilience in mind. For example, quays were constructed to withstand earthquakes and double as emergency heliports. Its people-centric design is reflected in its walkability, with promenades linking the waterfront to residential, recreational, and economic areas.

The area has also become a key destination for corporate relocation, supported by city incentives such as tax exemptions, grants, and additional benefits for companies that operate on 100 percent renewable energy. This has encouraged the relocation of major headquarters and research centers, further strengthening the city’s economic base.

Leading in urban sustainability

Yokohama’s revitalization is rooted in sustainable and inclusive growth. Since the 1960s, the city has encouraged citizen engagement through initiatives like the Yokohama Urban Design Sketchbook, which involves residents in urban planning, and the G30 Project, which aims to reduce waste by 30 percent by 2030. These programs use community input to shape policy and public services.

In recognition of such efforts, the Japanese government designated Yokohama as an Eco Model City in 2008, a Future City in 2011, and an SDGs Future City in 2018. These designations reflect the city’s ongoing pursuit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its integrated approach to environmental, economic, and social challenges. This progress is driven by projects such as the Yokohama Smart City Project, which works to optimize energy use, and the SDGs Design Center, which fosters cross-sector collaboration to achieve sustainability goals. Public transit, pedestrian access, and clean energy remain central to infrastructure planning, with Yokohama aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A global stage for international exchange

Thanks to its infrastructure and planning, Yokohama is a popular venue for international diplomacy, business, and cultural events. Pacifico Yokohama, one of Japan’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, regularly hosts major conventions and exhibitions.

In 2008, it hosted the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), marking the first time it was held outside Tokyo. It will serve as the venue of the ninth TICAD in 2025, having welcomed African presidents and ministers at the TICAD’s fifth and seventh editions in 2013 and 2019. Yokohama is often called “The Closest City to Africa” due to its strong relationship with the continent, fostered through cooperation and exchange. The city works with African countries to address problems, such as harbor logistics and waste management, by sharing the expertise it has gained in the process of dealing with its own urbanization issues.

Currently, the city is preparing to host the GREENEXPO 2027 (International Horticultural Expo 2027) from March 19 to September 26, 2027. This event showcases the latest in global green design, offering insights into Japan’s traditional and contemporary approaches to living in harmony with nature. The city has been chosen as the venue in consideration of its history as a gateway for trade in horticultural products, its ample green spaces, and its “green up” policies, which include protecting farmland and woodland as well as creating new green spaces. Events such as these reinforce Yokohama’s role as one of Japan’s leading cities for international exchange and green urban planning.

Yokohama leads the way

Yokohama demonstrates how a city can evolve while remaining true to its people-centered and international identity. Through integrated planning, civic engagement, and a focus on sustainability, it is a global model for urban development. The Yokohama CitySketch Workshop, for example, has been held in cities such as Panama City in Panama and Barranquilla in Colombia, as part of waterfront revitalization projects.