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Travel + Leisure
20-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is One of the Best Day Trips from Tokyo—and It Has a Cup Noodles Museum, Japan's Largest Chinatown, and Stunning Mount Fuji Views
Step back in time to 1920s Japan at the historic Hotel New Grand, Yokohama's first Western-style hotel. Soak in mineral-rich hot springs while taking in views of the bay at Manyo Club. Savor a chef-curated sushi tasting made with locally sourced seafood at the intimate Noge no Onikai in the city's buzzy nightlife district. Create a custom instant ramen and dive into the history of Japan's most iconic dish at the Cup Noodles Museum. Bask in sweeping Mount Fuji views after being whisked up 69 stories at Landmark Tower, which has the country's fastest elevator. When most people imagine Japan, they usually picture neon, futuristic cityscapes. But the country also bursts with natural beauty, from azure bays lined with rose gardens to cherry blossoms that gently release their velvety petals as the sun sets behind Mount Fuji. Yokohama, Japan, a city located about 20 miles south of Tokyo, strikes a balance between vibrant food and culture, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Take it from local Makoto Tada, who has lived in the city for over 40 years and is the founder of Ramen Oohashi, a popular handmade noodle spot at the Yokohama fish market.' Yokohama has a very unique history," he says. "It's a port city with many great places to walk, especially in the evening.' As Japan's second-largest city, Yokohama has no shortage of local delights. The fish market lets customers sample fresh cuts of the day's catch, and the historic waterfront has a seasonal ice skating rink. Brian Hutto, founder of the local sake bar Craft Sake Shoten, recommends Yokohama because 'hotels are cheaper, eating out is cheaper, and Tokyo is just a 25-minute train ride away.' From exclusive sushi bars to maritime museums and some of the best coffee in the country, I love encouraging friends and family to make Yokohama a priority whenever they visit Japan. Here's what you need to know before visiting Yokohama. A guest room in Keikyu Ex Hotel Minatomirai Yokohama. Keikyu EX Hotel Minatomirai Yokohama The Keikyu Ex Hotel Minatomirai-Yokohama is sleek, modern, and located along the waterfront. Guest rooms begin on the 27th floor and have sweeping views of the bay, while the open-air bath frames Mount Fuji during sunrise and sunset. Breakfast is served one floor down on the 26th, where guests can enjoy grilled salmon, fresh croissants, and panoramic views. 'You can find beautiful hotels for reasonable prices on the coastline,' says Hutto. He recommends staying close to the water when visiting Yokohama. Hotel New Grand is one of the oldest hotels in Yokohama, and gives guests the chance to step back in time to 1927. Much of its original charm still remains, from rich carpeted staircases to vintage chandeliers and ornate moldings. It overlooks iconic Yamashita Park, known for its rose gardens and antique wooden benches—it's a romantic setting and is often featured in Japanese films. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed legendary guests including General MacArthur, Charlie Chaplin, and Babe Ruth. Japan's onsen , natural hot spring baths, are famous for their therapeutic qualities. Manyo Club pipes pure onsen water from a nearby spring into over five indoor and outdoor pools. There are few places in the world where you can soak in a natural hot spring while overlooking the ocean in the heart of a cosmopolitan city. Manyo Club spans three floors of facilities, ranging from saunas and steam baths as well as multiple restaurants. With both Japanese and Western-style rooms for overnight stays, it's the perfect place to recharge after sightseeing. The Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, Japan. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images No visit to Yokohama is complete without a ride to the top of Landmark Tower. In the heart of the shopping district of Minato Mirai, the tower is home to Japan's fastest elevator, climbing 69 stories in 40 seconds. The top offers 360-degree views of the Kanto plain. Makoto recommends timing your visit for sunset, calling it 'the best view in the city,' when the skies cast Mount Fuji in a golden glow. Order the 'Yokohama Sunset' cocktail, a blend of pomegranate, guava, orange juice, and sparkling wine. Yokohama's Cup Noodles Museum dives into the fascinating story behind this iconic food, first created in 1958. Walk through the reconstructed workshop of Momofuku Ando, the founder of instant ramen, or create your own customized cup noodle. There is even a 'Noodle Bazaar' where you can taste the different types of noodles that inspired Ando. Both your mind and stomach will leave satisfied after a trip to this whimsical museum. It's tempting to get lost in the stone pathways of Sankeien Garden, an old silk merchant's private estate. With its 175,000 square meters, the landscape is dotted with historic relocated buildings from all over Japan, including a 15th-century Kyoto pagoda. Check their website for the calendar of seasonal blooms, and treat yourself to traditional matcha in the restored teahouse in the garden's center. With a rich maritime heritage (it was a key port after Japan opened to foreign trade in 1854), Yokohama has done an impressive job of preserving its nautical past. The Nippon Maru, a majestic four-masted sailing ship, now moored in Minato Mirai, has circumnavigated the earth an astonishing 45 times. Built to train naval cadets, it opens for tours and hosts 'sail unfurling' drills, where 80 volunteers manually raise all 29 sails—a dramatic sight worth seeing. Check the ship's official calendar of events here. Just a five-minute walk from Yokohama Station is a standing bar tucked away on the second floor that serves curated sake from across Japan. Hutto describes sake as having 'aromas of melon, banana, and even cotton candy,' and 'flavors that can be floral, fruity, or a clean crispness.' Craft Sake Shoten is an intimate, unpretentious place to deepen your sake knowledge while bumping shoulders with incredibly friendly locals. A hand holding a tempura shrimp. Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau If you're looking for dinner and a show, book a seat at Nakame No Teppen. Their specialty is robatayaki , fireside grilling, where counter seats surround a charcoal hearth and chefs prepare dishes in full view. The menu is extensive, ranging from grilled chicken to my personal favorite, shiitake mushrooms with melted butter. The location is equally memorable—it's housed inside the oldest stone-built commercial ship dock still standing in Japan. 'I take all my visitors to Ohtanawanoren, a classic restaurant that's 157 years old," says Makoto. Famous for gyu-nabe , or beef cooked in a cast iron pot, it became popular in Yokohama when Japan opened its ports to Western visitors during the 1800s. 'Gyu-nabe is cooked over charcoal and uses a miso sauce,' says Makoto, noting that this restaurant's particular recipe dates back to 1868. The restaurant has its own inner courtyard and koi pond, making it a serene, delicious, and historical choice. Gooz has everything you need to start your day off strong. They roast over 10 varieties of coffee in-house each morning. The bakery counter is equally tempting—my favorites are the yuzu cinnamon rolls and the donut holes made with mochi flour. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables under the shade of Nihon Odori, the historic boulevard that once divided the Japanese and Western settlements. You can't beat a morning spent at the Yokohama fish market, perusing the day's catch displayed over blocks of ice as vendors offer samples to passersby. For lunch, stop by Ramen Oohashi in the market's restaurant alley. 'I recommend the oyster ramen because we are in the fish market, so you know it is fresh,' says Makoto. 'The oysters we use in the broth are from Hiroshima, and the oysters for the topping are from Miyagi.' For a premier sushi experience, reserve a seat at Noge No Onikai. With only eight seats, the intimacy is palpable as the chef molds perfectly textured rice around marbled slices of fatty tuna. The menu changes daily depending on the morning market. 'I order almost everything, and always whatever's in season,' says Hutto. Noge no Onikai is an ideal spot to try omakase , the chef's choice style of sushi dining. Pedestrians walk along a shopping street in the Motomachi District of in Yokohama. Soichiro Koriyama/Bloomberg via Getty Images Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and is surrounded by 10 ornately decorated gates. It's tempting to get lost in the maze of dim sum and fortune tellers, under red paper lanterns swinging over tiny alleys. 'I love going there for the casual atmosphere,' says Makoto. "Chinatown feels the same as it did when I went 30 years ago.' The upscale neighborhood of Motomachi is known for its cobblestone streets and bespoke fashion boutiques. Find your perfect handbag at Kitamura, a Yokohama-based leather goods brand founded in 1882. Or shop for stationery at Itoya, with three stories of pens, cards, and elegant paper goods. Look out for dressed-up dogs in designer strollers—Yokohama has the highest number of registered dogs in all of Japan. Wander through this lively produce market, eyeing giant roots of fresh wasabi and pyramids of ripe persimmons. Yokohamabashi Shotengai is the perfect street for foodies, with no shortage of treats to discover. 'This neighborhood is over 80 years old,' says Makoto. 'During World War II, all the bombs missed this area, so it remains historic and traditional.' The promenade is covered by a roof, making it a perfect spot on a drizzly day. The Red Brick Warehouses were the original trading hub of Yokohama port when it opened to Western influence in the 1800s. Today, they are filled with artisanal shops and restaurants. This is many people's favorite place to purchase Yokohama souvenirs, such as silk scarves or specialty hand cream using the delicately fragranced kinmokusei, or osmanthus. The exterior of the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Hamdan Yoshida/Adobe Stock My personal favorite months are October and November, when the autumn leaves' color peaks. The humidity drops, a crisp breeze picks up, and places like Sankeien Garden transform into a sea of red, orange, and yellow. Summer spans from June through September and has festivals galore, but it also has heat and humidity. Stay cool by catching a baseball game at Yokohama Stadium, indulging in shaved ice desserts, or joining an evening matsuri (summer festival) , where locals dance in yukata (a lightweight kimono worn in the summer) to traditional music under swinging lanterns. Winter (December through February) is chilly but calm—it's an ideal time for travelers who prefer clear skies, thinner crowds, and panoramic views of Mount Fuji. It's also Winter Illumination season, a time when twinkling lights blanket towns and cities across Japan, including Yokohama. My favorite annual winter event is the Christmas Market at Red Brick Warehouse, where you can purchase mulled wine and handcrafted ornaments from German-style cabins. The most popular time to visit is springtime, from March to May—specifically, during cherry blossom season. Overhead, the pink blossoms bloom like tufts of cotton candy, carpeting the sidewalk in soft blush-colored hues. The weather is mild, and it is so pretty that it feels almost too good to be true—but be prepared for crowds who also feel the same way. The west exit of Yokohama Station. Multiple train lines connect to the city's central Yokohama Station, including the Toyoko Line that leaves from Tokyo's Shibuya Station and a variety of JR lines from Tokyo Station and beyond. If you're leaving from Tokyo Station, it'll take you about 40 minutes to get to Yokohama on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line. If you're visiting from abroad, the Keikyu Airport Line runs from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) directly to Yokohama Station with express trains (such as the Keikyu) making the journey in as little as 24 minutes. There are Shinkansen (bullet train) stops in Shinagawa to the north, or Shin-Yokohama to the west. If you're coming from Tokyo Station, hop on the Tokaido Line to get to Yokohama Station in about 30 minutes. Trains depart as often as seven times an hour, making day trips and multi-city itineraries easy to plan. Another surprisingly convenient option? The bus. Many locals even say the bus is their preferred way of getting from Yokohama to nearby Tokyo Disney, which is about 28 miles away. The Yokohama City Air Terminal (aka the YCAT) has convenient bus service from Yokohama Station to both Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport (NRT). Yokohama's skyline on a clear summer day. Hamdan Yoshida/Adobe Stock With lush gardens, scenic ocean paths, and historic boulevards, Yokohama is the perfect place to stretch your legs and explore on foot. Here is a great walking map to help get you started. For those that prefer to pedal, Yokohama has a user-friendly community e-bike program, Yokohama Bay Bikes. Download the app, link your credit card, and you're good to go. Another fun option is the Akai Kutsu City Loop Bus. Styled after early 1900's streetcars, it offers a charming hop-on-hop-off experience. My personal favorite way to get around, though, is the Yokohama Sea Bass water taxi. This casual transit boat offers sweeping waterfront views while ferrying you between coastal destinations. Local taxis and ride-hailing service Uber are available in the city but tend to be pricier than their public transportation counterparts. However, there are few places in the city that you couldn't easily access by public transportation and a short walk.
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
A feast for the senses: 9 immersive food museums around the world
2. Cup Noodles Museum, Japan With headquarters in Osaka and Yokohama, this museum transforms the humble cup noodle from a convenience store staple to a canvas for creativity. Its centrepiece is the My Cup Noodles Factory, where you can design your own cup, choose the soup flavour and toppings and watch as your personalised creation is vacuum-sealed before your eyes. In the Chicken Ramen Factory, you'll knead, steam and flash-fry noodles using the same method that inventor Momofuku Ando pioneered. Between hands-on experiences, check out exhibits on the cup noodle evolution and the humble shed where it was invented in 1958—a reminder that it's not the tools, but the idea that makes innovation possible. Also read: Japan's famous Cup Noodles Museum has opened in Hong Kong 3. Hollands Kaasmuseum, Netherlands In a weigh house where cheese traders have conducted business since 1365, the Hollands Kaasmuseum (Dutch Cheese Museum) puts visitors at the centre of a centuries-old industry. Exhibits display traditional tools, from wooden moulds and antique butter churns to hand-carved carriers, which cheese porters still use during Friday market demonstrations from April to October. Right outside the museum doors, visitors can witness the cheese-trading ritual that has remained largely unchanged since the Middle Ages—complete with white-uniformed guilds, rhythmic bargaining calls and the distinctive hand-slap method of sealing deals. Also read: To brie or not to brie: These are the best cheese platters and charcuterie boards in Hong Kong 4. Wonderfood Museum, Malaysia In Penang, dubbed Malaysia's food capital, the Wonderfood Museum features larger-than-life handmade replicas of over 100 dishes. What makes the museum extra interesting is its focus on action—visitors can pose as hawkers dramatically tossing noodles or pulling teh tarik with theatrical flair. Beyond the unique photo opportunities, the exhibits serve as an archive, documenting the country's multicultural food culture and preserving culinary techniques and presentations. Also read: A weekend in Penang: Must try spots to eat, drink, and play 5. Musée Art du Chocolat, France Explore chocolate in its most extraordinary forms, ranging from architectural replicas to life-sized sculptures that could be mistaken for bronze if not for the unmistakable aroma. Housed in an 18th-century mansion, the museum reveals its treasures in a series of immersive displays. Discover chocolate-making secrets from plantation to finished product, techniques to create chocolate sculptures and works of art by master chocolatiers and contemporary sculptors. With its rich storytelling and hands-on confectionery workshops, this culinary museum is one of the most unique museums to visit for chocolate lovers. Also read: What makes a great chocolate dish? We ask chefs and chocolatiers 6. World Coffee Museum, Vietnam Located in the coffee-growing region of Buon Ma Thuot, this museum houses over 10,000 artefacts spanning coffee's global journey, from traditional coffee grinders to modern brewing equipment. Exhibits follow coffee's essential stages—planting, harvesting, roasting, preserving and enjoying—showing how each step has evolved across cultures and centuries. The museum's architecture reflects its natural setting through curved blocks that evoke traditional Ede long houses and Central Highlands rooftops. Founded by the Trung Nguyen coffee company, the museum has an on-site cafe that serves speciality brews reflecting the styles and techniques explored in the exhibits. Also read: The ultimate bucket list for discerning coffee lovers: 9 best travel destinations to visit 7. Food Wanderer x Lakbay Museo, Philippines Manila's tribute to Filipino culinary identity blurs the line between food museum and immersive theatre. Set in a village-like environment with jeepneys and corner sari-sari stores, the experience is like going on a culinary road trip across the archipelago's over 7,000 islands. Watch a dance performance inspired by the Pahiyas Festival, taste local delicacies such as dried fish and puto (steamed rice cake) and try on traditional handwoven costumes. Between activities, snap photos with replicas such as the Chocolate Hills or Mayon Volcano, connecting food traditions to the land that shaped them. Nearly all of the 14 exhibits are constructed from repurposed materials, including used rubber slippers, rubber tires and old car mats. The museum also partners with over 100 micro-, small- and medium-scale businesses across the Philippines, creating a market for their products and connecting urban visitors with rural producers. Also read: All the new restaurants in the Tatler Best Philippines Guide 2025 8. Southern Food and Beverage Museum, USA This New Orleans landmark doesn't just document Southern cuisine—it deconstructs the historical forces and cultural exchanges that shaped it. From plantation-era cooking traditions born under slavery to the vital role of Black-owned restaurants during the Civil Rights Movement, the museum reveals how food has long been a site of power, resistance and identity in the American South. Exhibits explore the evolution of Cajun and Creole cuisines, the legacy of Louisiana's shrimping industry, and the regional nuances of barbecue. Cooking classes, available through advance booking, offer hands-on opportunities to engage with these traditions. Also housed within the museum is the Museum of the American Cocktail, which traces the storied history and offers a taste of New Orleans' cocktail culture. 9. Museum of Food, Singapore Unlike conventional museums, this mobile museum functions as a roving cultural ambassador, popping up in shops, schools and public spaces. Exhibits showcase traditional kitchen tools such as stone grinders, mooncake moulds and specialised implements behind heritage recipes. Beyond preserving artefacts, the museum brings vintage recipes to life, ensuring Singapore's multicultural food traditions live on through practice. You might find yourself tasting sambals and chutneys, pickling vegetables for achar or wrapping nasi lemak in banana leaves—not just observing history, but living it in this hands-on culinary experience.
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This adults-only museum in Melbourne's inner north was just named one of the world's most underrated
Melbourne's cultural crown may have slipped recently, with the news it didn't rank among the global top 20 cities for art and culture (Sydney in fifth?! We were robbed!), but a recent round-up of the world's most underrated museums has put our beloved hometown right back in the spotlight. A poll of Time Out editors from across the globe revealed a list of 11 excellent but under-the-radar museums that warrant some well-deserved recognition. Some are small and incredibly niche, others simply sit in the shadow of bigger institutions – and they're all worth adding to your must-visit list. There's the CupNoodles Museum in Osaka, which – you guessed it! – is a shrine dedicated entirely to the joys of instant noodles. Also making the cut is the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore, which not only boasts ginormous dinosaur skeletons, fossils and the bones of a 10.6-metre-long sperm whale, but also has a cool biophilic cliff-like design as part of it's exterior facade. And flying the (freak) flag for Melbourne is none other than the Museum of Desire. Located in Collingwood, this relatively newish spot (it opened in December 2024) is a celebration of all things love, pleasure and sex. Open to curious visitors aged 18-plus, it has 25 interactive spaces that have been specifically designed to switch up social norms around desire and sexuality. We're talking a kissing booth, a ball pit full of boobs and a vast collection of erotic art. If you're feeling particularly frisky, you can finger the 'orgasm harp' to a musical climax or check out the 'Confessions of a Photocopier' installation for some NSFW office antics. The Museum of Desire was joined by two other Aussie representatives: the Chau Chak Wing Museum in Sydney, a treasure trove hidden in the grounds of the University of Sydney that houses diverse artefacts from archives of art, historic antiquities and scientific specimens; and MOD in Adelaide, a free, futuristic museum that blends art and science in a super interactive way. So move over Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum (kidding, we love you guys), because there's a sexy new addition to Melbourne's world-class museum line-up. And it's bound to get tongues wagging. Here are 11 of the world's most underrated museums, according to Time Out editors:
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
15 Largest Cities in Japan, Ranked by Population
Japan, a country of rich tradition and cutting-edge modernity, is home to some of the most populous cities in the world. From the industrious metropolis of Tokyo to the cultural heritage of Kyoto, the largest cities in Japan offer a unique blend of history, innovation and vibrant local life. Japan's urban centers are hubs of culture, technology and cuisine, attracting millions of visitors and residents alike. Here are the top 15, based on data from World Population Review. The capital and largest city of Japan, Tokyo is a global hot spot for culture, business and technology. Known for its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets and world-class dining, the city offers endless attractions, including the historic Meiji Shrine, the densely packed Shibuya Crossing and the vibrant Akihabara district. With over 8 million inhabitants, Tokyo's mix of tradition and innovation makes it one of the world's most fascinating cities. Located just south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city and a major port. Known for its beautiful Minato Mirai waterfront district, Chinatown and the Cup Noodles Museum, the city combines modern attractions with a laid-back atmosphere. Osaka, in the Kansai region, is known for its vibrant food scene (like many of the major cities in Japan), buzzing nightlife and welcoming culture. Landmarks like Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan make it a popular destination. The city's nickname, "The Nation's Kitchen," reflects its culinary prowess. Nagoya, an industrial powerhouse, is Japan's automotive hub, home to Toyota and other major manufacturers. The city features attractions like Nagoya Castle, the Atsuta Shrine and the futuristic SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, showcasing its blend of history and technology. The largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is famous for its beer, ramen and annual Snow Festival. The city offers access to stunning natural landscapes and is a gateway to skiing and other outdoor adventures. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Kobe is a cosmopolitan port city known for its Kobe beef from Wagyu cattle and stunning views. Attractions like the Kobe Harborland, Nunobiki Herb Garden and the Ikuta Shrine highlight its charm. Kyoto, Japan's former capital, is renowned for its traditional culture, historic temples and beautiful gardens. Landmarks like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion district attract visitors seeking a glimpse into Japan's past. Located on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a vibrant city known for its food stalls (yatai), historic temples and modern shopping districts. The city's close proximity to Korea and China has made it a cultural and trade gateway for centuries Part of the Greater Tokyo Area, Kawasaki is known for its industrial base and cultural attractions such as the Kawasaki Daishi Temple and the Nihon Minkaen, an open-air museum with preserved buildings from the Edo Period. Located north of Tokyo, Saitama is a growing city known for its cultural attractions, including the Railway Museum and the Saitama Super Arena. Its suburban feel and proximity to the capital make it a popular place to live. Hiroshima is a city of history and resilience, known worldwide for its Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which commemorate the 1945 atomic bombing. The nearby Itsukushima Shrineon Miyajima Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Japan's enduring beauty. The largest city in the Tohoku region, with a population of just over 1 million people, Sendai is known as the "City of Trees" for its lush greenery. Attractions like Zuihōden Mausoleum, Sendai Castle ruins and the Tanabata Festival highlight its rich culture and history. Located in northern Kyushu, Kitakyushu is an industrial city with a rich history. Its attractions include the Mojiko Retro district, Kokura Castle and the Kanmon Straits, offering a mix of culture and stunning views. Part of the Greater Tokyo Area, Chiba is home to Tokyo Disneyland and the Chiba Port Tower. The city is also known for its large convention centers and easy access to Narita International Airport, making it a key gateway for travelers. Located near Osaka, Sakai is a city with deep historical roots, known for its kofun (ancient burial mounds) and traditional crafts like knife-making. The city's mix of heritage and modern development makes it an intriguing destination in the Kansai region. We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor. Original article: 15 Largest Cities in Japan, Ranked by Population Copyright © 2025 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company
