Cosmo Clock 21 is a giant Ferris wheel located inside Yokohama Cosmo World, an urban amusement park in the Minato Mirai district. Standing 112.5 meters tall, it is known for combining the functions of a Ferris wheel and a giant clock. It is one of Yokohama’s most recognizable landmarks and a familiar feature of the city’s waterfront skyline.
A ride takes approximately 15 minutes, giving passengers time to enjoy a leisurely aerial journey. During the day, the cabins offer sweeping 360-degree panoramic views of Yokohama. After dark, the city lights spread out below like jewels, creating a particularly beautiful nighttime view.
The Ferris wheel has a diameter of 100 meters. Including its gondolas and supporting structures, it consists of 60 units, and its total passenger capacity is 480 people, placing it among the largest Ferris wheels in Japan.
Admission to Yokohama Cosmo World is free, so visitors can enter the amusement park and enjoy the Ferris wheel without having to pay a separate park admission fee.
From sunset onward, Cosmo Clock 21 presents a special illumination display every 15 minutes. The changing lights transform the Ferris wheel into a striking nighttime spectacle and make it one of the highlights of Yokohama’s illuminated waterfront.
The regular displays take place at 15-minute intervals, creating repeated opportunities to enjoy the changing patterns and colors. The illumination is a popular feature for visitors exploring Minato Mirai in the evening.
Cosmo Clock 21 was originally constructed for the 1989 Yokohama Exposition, where it formed part of an exhibition area called Cosmo World Children’s Republic.
At the time of its original construction, the Ferris wheel stood 107.5 meters tall. A huge digital clock made by Citizen Watch was installed at its center, while neon-tube lighting decorated its supporting structure. It received Guinness World Records recognition as both the world’s largest Ferris wheel and the world’s largest clock.
The name Cosmo Clock 21 was inspired by the theme of the Yokohama Exposition. It combines three elements: “Cosmo,” meaning the universe or cosmos; “Clock,” referring to the timepiece at the center of the wheel; and “21,” representing the 21st century.
The Ferris wheel remained popular after the exposition ended, and its operation continued. As the Minato Mirai district developed, the attraction was relocated to its present site. It resumed operation there in 1999.
When Cosmo Clock 21 was relocated, its base was raised, increasing its total height from 107.5 meters to 112.5 meters. Its illumination system was also renewed.
The updated lighting introduced a display resembling fireworks being launched from the rotating wheel. The colors of the illumination could also be changed to reflect the four seasons, giving the Ferris wheel a different appearance throughout the year.
Cosmo Clock 21 underwent a major renovation in 2016. Both its clock display and illumination system were upgraded to full-color LED technology.
The nighttime show, known as the “Giant Ferris Wheel: Art of Light,” takes place every 15 minutes from sunset until midnight. The LED system allows the wheel to display vivid colors and dynamic lighting effects, making it an especially impressive sight after dark.
Cosmo Clock 21 offers two distinct experiences depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, visitors can take in a broad panorama of Yokohama from the enclosed gondolas. In the evening, the illuminated city and the Ferris wheel itself create a memorable nighttime scene.
As a landmark of Minato Mirai, the Ferris wheel is also a beautiful sight when viewed from the surrounding waterfront. Whether riding it or admiring it from a distance, visitors can enjoy one of the most recognizable symbols of Yokohama.
Weekdays 11:00 - 21:00
Weekends and holidays: 11:00-22:00
(subject to seasonal variations)
Thursdays (except national vacations, spring, summer, and winter vacation periods)
Admission free
Fee (3 years old and up): 900 yen
(The same fee applies to the see-through gondola)
10 min. walk from Sakuragi-cho Station on JR Keihin Tohoku Line
2 min. walk from Minatomirai Station