Minato Mirai 21 - ‘Harbor of the Future’

Minato Mirai 21, meaning ‘Harbor of the Future’ is a seaside urban development in Yokohama and features many futuristic buildings and the country’s tallest building, the Landmark Tower. Visitors to the area will be pleasantly surprised to find shopping centres at Minato Mirai, along with hotels, a convention centre, an amusement park, museums, a relaxation centre with hot spring baths, and plenty of parking spaces.

The area is a popular tourist spot and Minato Mirai, along with Odaiba in Tokyo are notable in that they are two of only a few places in Greater Tokyo where the seashore is accessible, and not blocked by heavy industry and harbour facilities. Cosmo World amusement park features a 100-metre high Cosmo Clock 21 – a huge Ferris wheel as well as a nearby concert hall that houses the Kanagawa Philharmonic orchestra with a full schedule of classical performances.

The area is also home to Pacifico Yokohama – one of the world’s largest convention centres. The Nippon Maru, a four-masted sailing ship, is permanently docked in Minato Mirai as a museum and the nearby Yokohama Museum of Art is a noteworthy addition to the area and showcases one of Japan’s best collections. The 88-acre area is impressive and forward looking, making a great day out. Plans for the future include a United Nations University and, with an established rail link, some more mega towers even loftier than the Landmark Tower.