Yokohama.

With a population of over three million, Yokohama’s clean, wide streetscapes and towering architectural feats will make you pause in awe. On a recent trip through Tokyo, we did a short half-day getaway to Yokohama on a warm winter’s day, a lucky break from the port city’s infamous strong winds.

The water was calm and the grass was green as we looked across the water towards the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The structure houses a slew of locally-made brands and shops on the first floor, along with an abundance of eateries and cafes serving everything from tapioca drinks and desserts to soft-serve ice cream and fluffy pancakes. A stop at the Red Brick Warehouse isn’t complete without a stop into Bills, known for their ricotta hotcakes served with warm caramel butter.

We recommend that you take the time to appreciate the difference between Yokohama and Tokyo, whereas Tokyo is made up of towering buildings surrounding its key train station characteristic of high-density cities, Yokohama’s architecture features larger buildings and wider streets. Ones you can’t miss include The Landmark Tower, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand, and Cosmoworld.

The Landmark Tower is the second tallest building and the fourth tallest structure in Japan (it was the tallest building in Japan until it was surpassed by the Abeno Harukas in 2012). At the top of the building is a Sky Garden observation deck where you could potentially see as far as Mt.Fuji on a clear day.

After spending a few days shuffling in sync with the crowds in Tokyo’s bustling city center, Yokohama provided us with a much-needed breath of fresh air. If you are like us and need a break from the overwhelming energy in the city, a day trip to Yokohama could be just what you need.

Photos by Florence Leung