Yokohama, with a population of 3.7 million, is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo, but this is often overlooked due to its proximity to Tokyo. In fact, when people quote the population of Tokyo at 38 million, they are actually talking about “Greater Metropolitan Tokyo,” which includes Yokohama! Yokohama itself has so much to offer, with so much going on, especially as a cruise hub, because so many Japan cruises start and end there.
Two New Cruise Piers to Open in Yokohama in 2019
Cruising is becoming an ever growing and ever more important segment of Japan’s tourism industry. In 2019, 190 cruise ships will arrive in Yokohama, 90 of them foreign flagged. This is a 25% increase over 2018. Japan is the #1 cruise destination in Asia, and Yokohama is the most frequently visited Japanese port for English-speaking passengers.
Part of this is due to demand and part of it is a result of the new piers coming online meeting this demand. Two cruise piers — Daikoku and Shinko — will open in Yokohama in April and November 2019 respectively. While Daikoku will receive mostly freight carrying ships, it will also be open for some larger cruise ships, such as the Queen Elizabeth II. With the opening of these two piers, in addition to the current Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, Yokohama port will be the largest in Japan in terms of capacity, able to accommodate seven ships at one time. In fact, in terms of “super large ships,” 2019 arrivals will be 11 times greater than 2018!
Shinko Pier
As mentioned above, the five-story Shinko Pier, also known as “Yokohama Pier 9,” is currently scheduled to open in November 2019. Occupying an area of 30,290 square meters on a site footprint of 17,700 square meters, this new state-of-the-art port will be dedicated exclusively to passenger cruise ships.
However, in addition to the Passenger Facilities Terminal itself, the complex will include dining, entertainment, and a hotel. The first floor will house the CIQ (Customs, Immigration & Quarantine) but will also feature “quick service” — convenience stores, fast food, a coffee chain, a ramen shop, and a food court. Moving up, the mezzanine level will sport a craft beer restaurant. Then, on second floor terrace, facing out to the sea, hungry patrons will be able to choose from a pizzeria, a wine bar or a hamburger spot. Floor two will also debut a local Yokohama chocolate shop and locavore eateries featuring culinary workshops.
The land adjacent to the new Shinko pier terminal will be developed into Hammerhead Park and Promenade. This park will incorporate the historic Shinko Pier Hammerhead Crane. This was Yokohama’s first quay crane, installed in 1914. The plan is for it to become a second symbol of the city, akin to the nostalgic Red Brick Warehouse.
New Five-Star Hotel at Shinko Pier
The pier flagship will be a new five-star hotel to be operated by the Yokohama Grand Intercontinental. The hotel entrance will be on floor one, with the second floor showcasing both the hotel restaurant and lobby. Shinko’s top three floors (3, 4 & 5) will be devoted to luxury guest rooms, all over 45 square meters in size. Cruise ship passengers, spending a pre-night at the port hotel, will be able to check-in for their cruise at the hotel and be escorted on board. Cruise passengers can travel door-to-door between the hotel and the airport with their large suitcases using the airport limousine service.
About the Soon-to-Dock Ships
Carnival Corporation, which includes the Princess and Costa brands active in Japan, has preferential use rights and will host over 80 vessels annually, but other vessels will dock one or two times in spot arrivals. Other cruise lines that will dock at Shinko include: Royal Caribbean, Windstar, MSC, Azamara, and NCL. A full ship docking schedule, subject to change, is here; 400,000 cruise ship passengers are expected annually.
Another New Yokohama Hotel
The APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower, slated to open on September 20, 2019, will be a 35-story tower with 2,311 guest rooms! It will be the largest one-building hotel in Japan! It will be located in the Minato Mirai area and will include: a spa and wellness center, featuring 10 ofuro (communal hot spring baths), a rotenburo (outdoor bath), and a grand swimming pool. Standard rates on an 11-meter squared double room start at $200 per night, service fee and tax inclusive. Non-smoking rooms available.