Last Updated on April 29, 2026
Looking for what to do in Yokohama? This guide is perfect for first-time visitors or anyone planning a one-day trip.
This time, I went with my two teenage sons to a VR experience facility called Immersive Journey, located at Yokohama Station. In Yokohama, there’s a wide variety of experiences to enjoy—from VR attractions and ramen shops to scenic hotels in the Minato Mirai area and even Hawaiian dining. It’s a city where you can easily find something unique depending on your mood.
This guide walks through a full-day itinerary based on an actual visit, including highlights and practical tips to help you plan your day efficiently.
What you’ll find in this guide:
- A realistic one-day Yokohama itinerary
- A beginner-friendly VR experience in Japan
- A popular ramen lunch near Yokohama Station
- A convenient hotel stay in the Minato Mirai area
- Casual dining options including Hawaiian cuisine
- A relaxing morning walk through local landmarks
- Practical tips for first-time visitors
Ramen Lunch at Ippudo in Yokohama
This time, I chose tonkotsu ramen from Kyushu—Ippudo, a well-known chain with locations around the world. It’s also a familiar place for us, as we used to visit it occasionally as a small treat.
Location and Waiting Time
The Ippudo Yokohama Porta branch is located in the basement level of Yokohama Porta, directly connected to Yokohama Station. We arrived around 11:30 a.m., and although there were already some customers, we were able to get in without waiting.
Crowd Levels:
Yokohama Station is a busy hub, so it can get crowded. Visiting slightly earlier on weekdays is recommended. That said, ramen shops usually have a quick turnover, so even if there’s a line, it tends to move fast.
What I Ordered
I ordered the Shiromaru Motoaji (850 yen) and chose kata (firm noodles).
Since the noodles are extremely thin, the broth clings to them when they are gathered in a bundle, making each bite rich and flavorful. However, they also soften quickly, so choosing a firmer texture works well.
I also added toppings and sides, including nori seaweed, a soft-boiled seasoned egg, and gyoza. The creamy tonkotsu broth paired nicely with the rich egg, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and fresh green onions. Personally, I think nori is an essential topping—it really enhances the flavor of the soup.
Noodle Firmness Options:
You can choose from four levels: barikata (very firm), kata (firm), normal, and yawa (soft).
Ordering Method:
You can order using a tablet or by scanning a QR code. An English menu is available, and staff can assist if needed.
After finishing our ramen, we headed to the VR experience, which was the main highlight of the day.
VR Experience in Yokohama
Immersive Journey is an immersive XR (VR) entertainment facility. By wearing a head-mounted display and walking through a large dedicated space, you can experience as if you are truly inside another world.
XR refers to experiences where digital environments are combined with real-world space and interaction. This particular experience is mainly based on VR technology, enhanced with physical movement and spatial elements.
Overview
There is nothing particularly difficult about this experience. After listening to the safety instructions, you are guided by staff to the starting point where they help you properly fit the head-mounted display so everything is in focus.
Participants aged 8 and above can join, and wheelchair users are also able to take part with assistance or by renting a wheelchair.
The briefing and headset fitting take about 15 minutes, and the actual VR experience lasts around 45 minutes.
Location and Access
Immersive Journey is located on the 3rd floor of ASOBUILD, just a 2-minute walk from the East Exit of Yokohama Station. Yokohama Station is approximately 20 minutes from Tokyo Station.
The official ASOBUILD website provides detailed directions with photos. We don’t visit Yokohama Station very often, so we were a little nervous at first, but checking this page in advance made it easy to find our way without getting lost.
We came up to ground level from the East Exit of Yokohama Station and walked through the passage next to the post office on the right side to reach the building.
What the Experience Was Like
From the moment the VR experience begins, you feel as if you have stepped into another world. Unlike staying in one place while watching a screen, you are able to walk slowly and explore the space yourself, which creates a strong sense of presence in every direction.
The environment responds to your movement, and even subtle physical sensations—like airflow from the room’s air conditioning—help enhance the feeling of immersion. It quickly becomes easy to forget that you are still inside a building in Yokohama.
Height Sensitivity Notice:
This experience includes several scenes at height, so please be careful if you have a severe fear of heights.
How Movement and Safety Work
The system is carefully designed to keep participants safe and comfortable while moving through the virtual space.
You cannot see full details of other participants, but a simplified human-shaped outline appears when someone is nearby, helping prevent collisions. The space is divided into guided paths, so it is easy to follow the experience without getting lost.
Only your own group members’ names are displayed, which adds reassurance when moving through shared areas. To ensure accurate tracking, you are advised to move slowly and avoid sudden movements.
There are also moments where you ride moving platforms, adding excitement and a sense of adventure. If any scene feels too intense, you can briefly remove the headset at any time.
The Feeling of Walking Inside Another World
One of the most striking aspects is the sense of scale. When you look up, instead of a ceiling, you see a vast open sky that makes the space feel much larger than the actual room.
It no longer feels like you are inside a facility in Yokohama, but rather inside a completely different world. Even though I have never been to Egypt, the environment felt so real that I wanted to stay and simply observe the scenery for longer.
The moment the experience begins, you are already fully immersed. Those 45 minutes felt highly engaging and emotionally rich, especially for someone who enjoys traveling and discovering new places.
Tips Before You Go
Ticket Reservation and Best Timing
Same-day tickets are available, but I would recommend making a reservation in advance. When we visited on a weekday, the morning time slots were already fully booked, so we couldn’t reserve one. As a result, we ended up having lunch first before doing the VR experience, and I was a little worried about whether I might feel motion sickness. Fortunately, I didn’t feel sick at all, but since VR involves constantly looking at the screen, I still think it’s safer and more comfortable to do it before lunch.
In case it helps, the official website is available only in Japanese, so I recommend using Chrome’s translation feature. The reservation page (ASOVIEW) is also in Japanese, but once you proceed to “Proceed to ticket purchase,” you can select your preferred language after that step.
Shoes Requirements
The venue itself has a flat floor. However, there are scenes where the ground may appear uneven, and you cannot see your actual feet. Before entry, staff will check whether your shoes are safe to wear. Please avoid high heels or overly thick platform shoes. I wore GU ribbed knit sock boots with a 5.5 cm heel. Since they had a platform sole, they were quite stable and fine. However, sneakers are definitely recommended for a more comfortable experience.
Age, Accessibility, and Participation Rules
The experience is open to guests aged 8 and above, and wheelchair users can also participate by renting a wheelchair. One accompanying person aged between 16 and 70 is required for each participant aged 70 or over.
Languages and Glasses Compatibility
Although there are no subtitles, the experience supports Japanese, English, French, Chinese, and Spanish. Each member of the group can choose a different language. In principle, participants who wear glasses can also take part. However, depending on the shape of the glasses, the head-mounted display may not fit properly, and in that case, the experience may not be possible.
Important Safety Information:
For safety reasons, the official website lists important information and requirements, so please be sure to read them carefully before participating.
Hotel Stay in Yokohama
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
We moved on to APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower after experiencing Immersive Journey.
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower is part of a well-known hotel chain designed with business travelers in mind. While the rooms are simple, they are thoughtfully arranged for convenience, and the brand is known for its efficiency-focused approach and affordable pricing. With locations all across Japan, it’s likely a name you’ve come across if you’ve ever considered staying in the country.
Check-in normally starts at 3:00 p.m., but we chose to pay an additional 2,000 yen per hour to check in earlier. When we arrived, there were already many guests waiting for the 3:00 p.m. check-in, but thanks to this option, we were able to go straight to our room.
Early Check-in / Late Check-out:
Depending on room availability and preparation status, at APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower, it may be possible to check in earlier for an additional fee of 2,000 yen per hour. Please note that this can vary depending on the specific APA Hotel location, so it is recommended to check by phone in advance if you need this service.
The same applies to late check-out. At this hotel, however, the procedure can be completed via the in-room TV. Payment is made at the time of check-out.
Room & View
We stayed in a room on the Minato Mirai side.
Minato Mirai is a large waterfront area in Yokohama that combines tourism and business, featuring a futuristic skyline of tall buildings along with the atmosphere of a port city.
Our room faced the sea, offering a beautiful view of the harbor straight ahead, part of Minato Mirai to the left, and the Yokohama Bay Bridge to the right—there was plenty to take in from the room. This time, it was a room-only weekday stay for two people, costing around ¥14,000 (approx. $87.9 / €74.9). In the summer season, guests can also use a paid swimming pool.
Room Size:
This hotel mainly offers very compact rooms, so I recommend checking the room size details on the official website in advance.
“Minato Mirai-side” rooms are divided into two types—one facing directly toward Minato Mirai, and the other facing the sea with Minato Mirai in view, which is the type we stayed in—but it seems you cannot choose a specific view in advance.
I’ve heard that from rooms facing Minato Mirai directly, you can sometimes even see Mount Fuji, depending on the room, which sounds like a wonderful view as well.
View Types:
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower offers four types of views: Minato Mirai side, outer perimeter (with views), Bay Bridge side, and no view rooms.
Facilities & Convenience
Large Public Bath
The large public bath is available from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and again from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Photography is not allowed, but the bath area is quite spacious and includes various types of baths, such as artificial hot spring baths and baths with bubbles coming from the bottom.
The open-air bath did not offer a view, but I was able to enjoy several spacious baths, which left me feeling completely relaxed.
Before using the large public bath, please take a moment to review the following notes and etiquette.
Notes for the Large Public Bath (Hotel Rules):
- Please bring towels from your room.
- On the large public bath floor, guests may wear the provided room wear and slippers.
- Guests with tattoos are not permitted to use the public bath.
General Public Bath Etiquette in Japan:
- Wash your body thoroughly before entering the bath.
- Do not bring towels or hair into the bath water.
- Brushing teeth inside the bathing area is not recommended.
- Please check child usage rules before entering.
- Dry yourself lightly before returning to the locker room.
Convenience Store: FamilyMart
The hotel has a large number of rooms, and there are two FamilyMart convenience stores inside the building. I usually end up going to 7-Eleven, so I really enjoyed shopping at FamilyMart again after a while.
One thing I would especially recommend is the milk tea frappé – ¥360 (approx. $2.3 / €1.9). You buy a frozen milk tea base in a cup, knead it to soften it, and then add hot milk from the espresso machine to turn it into a frappé. It has just the right level of sweetness and a refreshing coldness, making it perfect for cooling down after a long day. I brought it back to my room and enjoyed it slowly while looking out at the Yokohama view.
In recent years, convenience store drinks have evolved significantly, and you can now enjoy a wide variety of café-style beverages without having to go to a specialty coffee shop. I would definitely recommend giving them a try.
Hawaiian Dinner in Yokohama
As evening came, we walked from our room to a nearby shopping mall called Yokohama World Porters to have dinner. On the way, when we crossed a bridge, we had a great view of the Minato Mirai skyline. The lights of the skyscrapers and the Ferris wheel reflected on the surface of the water were especially beautiful. The “Yokohama Air Cabin,” a ropeway that crosses the city, also moves slowly and peacefully back and forth.
Inside Yokohama World Porters, there are many shops related to Hawaii, a popular travel destination among Japanese people. On this day, we chose to have dinner at a Hawaiian restaurant called HALENOHEA.
What I Ordered
I ordered a garlic shrimp plate and a dry ginger ale with lime.
The garlic shrimp was exceptional, with plenty of garlic that perfectly complemented the rich flavor of the shrimp. The shrimp itself had a firm, satisfying texture and a natural, ingredient-focused taste that I personally really enjoyed. It seemed to include about five to six shrimp, and there were also other appealing menu items such as pancakes, so you can always order additional dishes if you like.
The dry ginger ale was also refreshing, with a nice spicy kick from the ginger. I squeezed in the accompanying lime and lemon, which added a fresh, citrusy flavor that made it even more enjoyable.
Right near HALENOHEA, there is a malasada shop called Leonard’s Bakery, a well-known bakery from Honolulu famous for its freshly fried pastries.
A malasada is a Portuguese-style fried dough pastry that was brought to Hawaii by immigrants. It has no hole like a doughnut, and it’s typically coated in sugar while still warm. Modern versions are often filled with custard, chocolate, or other creams, making them extra indulgent when freshly made.
Since malasadas in Japan are often prepared in advance, being able to enjoy them made-to-order and still piping hot felt quite special.
We bought a few custard-filled malasadas and tried one right away. The moment we bit into it, the dough was incredibly soft and fluffy, almost melting in our mouths. The sugar coating on the outside and the smooth custard cream inside worked perfectly together—it was so good that I couldn’t stop eating, even though I had just finished dinner.
We also picked up some macadamia nut–flavored drip coffee from Lion Coffee at a Hawaiian goods shop. With a small treat saved for the next morning, we headed back to our room. By then, the sun had completely set, and the night view of Minato Mirai looked even more beautiful, glowing quietly against the dark sky.
Morning Walk in Yokohama
The next morning, after enjoying malasadas and Hawaiian coffee purchased the night before, we headed out for a walk. It had rained overnight, and the streets were still slightly damp.
We walked over to the cherry blossom tree we had seen from our room, right in front of the Yokohama Air Cabin station. It was late March 2026, but the blossoms were still in full bloom.
As we walked toward the Red Brick Warehouse area, it seemed to be the Flower Festival period, and the area was filled with beautifully planted flowers. There were also cherry blossom trees here and there, giving the whole area a very spring-like atmosphere.
We eventually reached a spot where we could see the Red Brick Warehouse. It was still early in the day, so we couldn’t go inside yet. This historic building now houses many shops and has become a popular tourist attraction in Yokohama.
In the slightly cool air after the rain, we enjoyed a quiet morning walk, and our short trip to Yokohama came to an end.
Conclusion
Yokohama offers a perfect mix of unique experiences, from immersive VR attractions and casual local dining to comfortable hotel stays and scenic waterfront walks. In just one day, you can enjoy a wide variety of activities that feel both convenient and memorable.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning, this itinerary shows how easily you can experience different sides of Yokohama in a single trip.
Recommended For:
• Solo travelers looking for an easy and flexible one-day itinerary in Yokohama
• Travelers looking for a unique one-day itinerary in Yokohama
• Visitors interested in trying a VR experience in Japan
• Food lovers who want to enjoy ramen and casual dining spots
• Travelers seeking a convenient hotel stay in the Minato Mirai area
• Families or small groups looking for an easy and flexible travel plan
Find more casual dining options in Japan below:
3 Must-Try Restaurant Chains in Japan: How to Order and What to Eat
Information
Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.
Ippudo – Yokohama Porta
Shiromaru Motoaji Ramen
– ¥850 (approx. $5.4 / €4.6)
– Official website(Japanese only)
Access
– B1 of Yokohama Porta, an underground mall at Yokohama Station East Exit
Immersive Journey
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Please be sure to check availability, pricing, and restrictions on the official website.
Weekends & Holidays
– ¥5,000 (approx. $31.4 / €26.9) per person
Weekdays
– ¥4,000 (approx. $25.1 / €21.5) per person
– Official website (Japanese only)
After clicking “Proceed to ticket purchase,” you can select your language.
A 100% cancellation fee will be charged from 10:00 a.m. on the day of use.
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
– Official website(Japanese omly)
Access
– About 720 ft (220 m) from Bashamichi Station
– Google Maps
HALENOHEA
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
– ¥1,480 (approx. $9.3 / €8.0)
Dry Ginger Ale (Original)
– ¥580 (approx. $3.7 / €3.1)
Access
– About 1800 ft (550 m) from Bashamichi Station
– Google Maps
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
– Official website(Language Options)
Access
– About 2130 ft (650 m) from Bashamichi Station
– Google Maps
