Yokohama Portside District is the name given to a redeveloped area in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It mainly includes parts of Kinkocho, Onocho, and Sakaecho, to the east of Yokohama Station. Its name comes from its location facing Yokohama Port.
Once an industrial area, the district has been transformed through redevelopment into a modern urban environment featuring high-rise buildings, contemporary architecture, and attractive public spaces.
The district is within walking distance of Exit A at the North East Exit of Yokohama Station. Visitors can reach it via the pedestrian deck known as Bay Quarter Walk, with walking times ranging from approximately two to twelve minutes depending on the destination.
Within the district, a moving walkway called Kamome Bridge provides direct connections to Yokohama Shintoshin Building, which houses Sogo Yokohama, and to Yokohama Sky Building. These connections also make it convenient to reach the Yokohama Station East Exit Bus Terminal and YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal).
In the past, the Yokohama Portside District was home to factories and warehouses operated by companies such as Nichirei and Toyo Kanetsu. The area began to change after the urban planning decision for the Sakae-Honcho Line road project was made in 1985.
In 1986, the urban redevelopment plan for the Yokohama Portside District, a Type 2 urban redevelopment project, was approved. Full-scale redevelopment began around 1990 under the concept of creating a “City of Art and Design.”
The project emphasized spacious sidewalks, pedestrian decks, and the removal of overhead utility wires. As a result, the district developed into an attractive modern urban landscape, with broad open spaces free of utility poles and power lines, alongside high-rise apartment towers and office buildings.
The waterfront area is home to several facilities, including a Sea Bass water-bus boarding point, Portside Park, and the Yokohama Display Museum.
Gallery Road is one of the district’s main streets. High-rise residential buildings line the road, including The Yokohama Towers. Together, these buildings contribute to the impressive nighttime skyline of the Yokohama Bay Area.
The district contains a variety of public facilities that support everyday life, including the Portside Police Box of Kanagawa Police Station, the Portside Post Office, and the Central Market Branch of Bank of Yokohama.
It is also notable for its collection of contemporary artworks installed throughout the neighborhood. These works add artistic interest to the public spaces and reinforce the district’s identity as a “City of Art and Design.”
Among the works found in the district are Yokohama Portside Park by Hiroki Hasegawa and THE FAMILY by Ettore Sottsass. These distinctive pieces offer visitors an opportunity to encounter contemporary art while strolling through the neighborhood.
Yokohama Portside District offers plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, and recreation. One of its main commercial facilities is Yokohama Bay Quarter, which houses approximately 75 shops, including restaurants, fast-food outlets, drugstores, and convenience stores.
Yokohama Bay Quarter Annex is located nearby, providing additional shopping and leisure options. Together, these facilities make the district a convenient place to enjoy a meal, shop, or take a break during a visit to Yokohama.
Various events are held in the district throughout the year, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the neighborhood. Examples include the Yokohama Portside Art Festival and the Yokohama Marathon.
During the Hakone Ekiden relay race, National Routes 1 and 15 form part of the course, making the district a possible place to watch the race.
Gallery Road runs through the center of Yokohama Portside District. Monuments and artworks are installed along the street, creating an open-air gallery that visitors can explore on foot.
One of its distinctive features is the irregular arrangement of stones in various shapes between the roadway and the sidewalks. These stones were reused materials from the former Yokohama Dockyard, allowing the street design to preserve a connection with the area’s industrial and port history while incorporating contemporary artistic elements.
Yamamomo trees have also been planted along both sides of the road, adding greenery to the urban landscape. Gallery Road is an appealing walking route for local residents and visitors alike, combining art, history, architecture, and nature.