Guided History & Nature Exploration in the Yokohama Hill Area
Description
The tour is by Sayumi, the Official Kanagawa Tour Guide. Starting from Motomachi-Chukagai station, we will go up to Harbor View Park (by escalator) for the best photoshoot of the port for your Yokohama memory. Visit Yamate Bluff, where the foreign residents stayed after the opening of the port 150 years ago, which keeps its historical view, architectural style, and friendly atmosphere until today. Studio Ghibli's movie "From Up on Poppy Hill" is located here, too, so we will be able to visit some familiar spots from the movie. After having a relaxing tea time at the popular tea salon, we will explore Motomachi, the original high street built back around the time of the opening of the port, full of unique and fashionable shops best for gifts and souvenirs. The final destination is Sankeien, 20 minutes from Motomachi by bus. You can enjoy the beauty of the traditional Japanese architecture and garden collection that provides every 'chic' from all over Japan.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The nice view of the port, and the best point for the photo-shoot.
This spot is very symbolic place to see how Yokohama started as the first contact point with the international society 150 years ago.
We will choose one or two properties to visit, among many historical architectures and residences in the area of YAMATE BLUFF. (Berrick Hall could be one of them)
This shopping street used to be the "bridge" between the local people of Yokohama and the newly joined foreign residents. We can still feel the unique atmosphere of the street and the attractive shops with long history. Both the old and new shops are the appropriate destination to find the best souvenirs and gifts for the guests. Plus we will be able to have the relaxing time with the authentic Japanese tea.
The ticket of the Garden is included in the guide fee. The guide will choose the spots to visit in the garden and explain the points to see and enjoy.
Enjoying the evening view from the 46th floor of OMO5 Yokohama Bashamichi, the new spot opened in Jan. 2026, as the finale of the tour. Weather permitting, you can see across the whole of Yokohama, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and the Tanzawa mountain range.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It's a normal walk around town, but there are some ups and downs.
Reviews(17)
I enjoyed learning about the rich history of Yokohama. Sayumi was an excellent guide sharing many milestone historical events occurred in Yokohama. Thanks to her program, I now have a brand new perspective about Yokohama! I highly recommend.
This was one of my favorite days in Japan. Sayumi is an excellent guide. Her love of Yokohama was evident throughout the day. I learned a lot about the opening of Japan to the west and the foreigners who settled in Yokohama. Our stop to have a traditional sweet and tea was delicious. The extensive gardens we visited with traditional structures was also wonderful. The cherry on top was that we stumbled upon the opening of an art exhibition with the artisans there to explain their handicrafts. With Sayumi there we were able to have conversations with the artisans and learned so much more than if we had been there on our own. I 100% recommend this tour if you are interested in history and gardens. I would happily relive the day again.
This was a very beautiful tour! Sayumi is knowledgeable about many parts of the city, and is a wonderful storyteller. She was a great companion for the day! I highly recommend taking this tour, as you will feel very welcome in Yokohama and learn very much!
Sayumi was a fabulous guide and host. She picked me up from my hotel and adjusted her schedule due to weather. I had a very enjoyable afternoon learning the history of this area and spending time in the wonderful Sankien gardens. We had a lovely coffee at a Japanese coffee shop and I really felt like I had a true peak into Yokohama’s culture. I highly recommend this tour. She tries very hard to make your time special.
We had a great time exploring Yokohama’s beautiful hill neighborhoods with Sayumi San! Before our arrival, she contacted us and gave us recommendations based on what I wanted to experience. Sayumi San is very knowledgeable, and patient. Her love for this beautiful city is contagious. We walked around for a bit, then we ended our tour at the beautiful Sankei-en garden. We also enjoyed Japanese matcha and sweets at the garden. I am so glad that I booked this tour. If you want to know more about Yokohama’s history, I’d highly recommend this tour with Sayumi San!
We were enchanted by our wonderful guide and the city she showed us. At first it was Yokohama as a center of different cultures, and then it turned into the most traditional one. We were delighted.
We had a such a lovely day with Sayumi as our guide. Her walking tour around the hillside area and gardens in Yokohama is great half day walk to discover a hidden jam of the town. She brought us to the most amazing locations such as viewpoints and historical sites. Especially I loved the tea shop where we tried recommended flavor of Japanese tea which may bring us good fortune! And magical time spending in Sankeien Garden. I was so impressed by the beauty and serenity of this traditional Japanese landscape garden. Worth visiting if you’re fond of flowers, birds or authentic Japanese style architecture. If I were visiting all sites by myself, I would not have had such a wonderful time. And last but not least, her deep affection and great passion for welcoming all guest to this tour touched me so much! Definitely would recommend to anyone I know coming here and join this tour!!
Sayumi was a wonderful guide. Extremely knowledgeable and very organized. The landscapes and buildings of Yokohama were not only beautiful but were filled with interesting history. The stories Sayumi provided were fascinating and made me understand what an important role Yokohama played during and after the Meiji restoration. The little tea room where we had a tea break was absolutely delightful. “Sankei-en” Garden, despite being not far from the centre of Yokohama, was quiet, peaceful and full of nature (the short bus trip to the Garden was also very enjoyable). Great get away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life. The view from the “Shofukuji” was magnificent. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Highly recommended!
We were in a small group and Sayumi was so friendly to us. She was so familiar with the places we visited as she used to walk there every day during her high school days. Yokohama hill area has an exotic atmosphere viewing Yokohama port where we can see many big ships including luxury liners such as "Asuka." Yokohama Bay Bridge is shining white on the blue color sea. We had good conversations at the tea salon about different tea leaves explained by Sayumi. In addition, I'll never forget the memory of visiting the Japanese garden, Sankei Garden. The scenic garden is so spacious, and we enjoyed walking along the beautiful pond and looking at several ancient buildings, including a thatched house and a three-story pagoda. We felt like we had gone back in time. We were so lucky to see the setting sunshine on the three-pagoda in the evening.
Had a nice walk through beautiful places, old buildings, historical town, rural shopping street, charming garden
