The enduring charm of Yokohama amidst ocean breezes — discovering the timeless spirit of Japan

Southerly winds brush gently, the tide murmurs endlessly; Yokohama’s blue waters remain as vivid as ever, and the tree-shaded waterfront parks add a fresh hue to the city. What color is Yokohama in your eyes? The bustling Chinatown is red, the futuristic vibe of Minato Mirai 21 is silver, the enchanting nightscape of the harbor city is a riot of colors. For me, Yokohama is blue — the blue sky, the blue sea, the people moving under the blue glow. There’s no other city that complements blue quite like Yokohama. With varying shades of blue as its base, mixed with the white of history, the green of nature, and the red of humanity, the resulting color palette is a harbor-town charm you won’t find in Tokyo. Though not far from Tokyo, Yokohama has a distinctly different atmosphere.

After changing trains a few times and walking a short distance, what unfolds before me is a stretch of brilliant blue that makes you want to dive right in. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise claims to be Japan’s largest marine theme park. Here, you can not only admire a variety of marine creatures but also feed dolphins by hand and touch adorable beluga whales and penguins. At the amusement park at the other end, whether you’re riding a thrilling roller coaster that dives toward the azure sea or climbing a rotating observation deck, both offer great ways to take in the full view of the island. Watch mischievous dolphins leap into the sunlight, sending up showers of water that pierce the sky. Before I know it, I follow the shimmering waves into the underwater tunnel, as if stepping into the sea itself. The light filtering through the water dances at my feet, sparkling in pale blue — the color of the sea somehow casts a subtle blue tint over people too. Just as I’m marveling at this breathtaking sight, a school of fish suddenly swims overhead, making the magical scene where humans and the sea blend together feel so simple and natural here.

Another way to get close to the sea is by taking a boat out, especially recommended is a nighttime harbor cruise. If you have dinner on board, the outside light gradually fades into a deep blue curtain. By then, the distant lights on shore are too far to see clearly, your vision slightly dimmed. Apart from hearing the waves rolling in and the scent of the tide drifting by, all you can feel is being enveloped by a vast expanse of deep blue — a serene, harmonious union with the sea.

Stepping into Sankeien Garden, it’s hard to imagine that such an elegant traditional Japanese garden exists in a port city like Yokohama. Named after the Yokohama entrepreneur “Hara Sankei,” this garden was originally privately owned and opened to the public in 1906. This is no ordinary Japanese garden — nestled within the greenery are numerous historic buildings relocated from ancient cities like Kyoto and Kamakura, exuding refined charm. When asked why the garden went to such lengths to gather structures from across Japan, the answer is: “There was a time when people were so focused on discarding the old and bringing in the new that they forgot to preserve Japan’s timeless spirit. So Mr. Sankei moved these historic buildings, which were nearly demolished, here to protect them.” For example, the gassho-style building “Former Yagura Hara Family Residence,” originally located in Shirakawa-go, faced demolition due to the construction of a modern dam. Fortunately, Sankeien Garden took on the responsibility of cultural preservation and relocated this precious gassho-style building to its current site, allowing it to continue standing before the world. In addition, the gate from Saishoji Temple in Kyoto, the Shōshūkaku from Nijō Castle, and the three-story pagoda from Tōmyōji Temple also continue their historical significance within the garden.