Living in Minato Mirai–Sakuragicho Area: Yokohama Apartment Rental Guide for Foreign Residents

The Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho area is one of Yokohama’s most iconic residential districts, known for its beautiful balance of modern urban design and nostalgic downtown charm. With sweeping waterfront views of Yokohama Port, a wide range of commercial and cultural facilities, and direct access to central Tokyo, this area offers a comfortable and convenient lifestyle—especially appealing for foreigners living in Japan for work or study.

What Kind of Place Is Minato Mirai & Sakuragicho?

Though Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho are within walking distance of each other, they offer distinctly different atmospheres. Let’s explore each of them in detail to see what makes these neighborhoods unique.

Understanding Yokohama’s Geography

If you’re new to the area, it’s important to understand how the term “Yokohama” is used. Nationally, “Yokohama” often refers to well-known tourist spots such as Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama Chinatown, the Red Brick Warehouse, and Yamashita Park—symbols of the city’s modern identity.
Locally, however, Yokohama residents usually refer to the area around Yokohama Station when they say “Yokohama.” The city’s main commercial and administrative functions are concentrated in Naka and Nishi Wards, with Yokohama Station serving as the city’s largest commercial hub.

Locals generally divide Yokohama into the following areas:

• Around Yokohama Station: The everyday center for shopping and transportation
• Sakuragicho & Minato Mirai: Tourist-friendly, modern urban zones
• Kannai Area: Administrative and historical center
• Chinatown & Motomachi: Cultural and international zones

The city government refers to the Yokohama Station and Kannai areas as the “Twin Cores” of Yokohama. Minato Mirai 21, which began development in 1983, serves as a bridge between these two centers. The Minato Mirai–Sakuragicho area stands out as both a vibrant sightseeing spot and a highly livable residential neighborhood.

Strolling Through Minato Mirai

Minato Mirai is a redeveloped waterfront area offering a resort-like atmosphere with wide, tree-lined streets and open views of the bay. Popular landmarks include the Cosmo World amusement park with its iconic Ferris wheel and the historical Red Brick Warehouse.
The area hosts frequent seasonal events—like summer fireworks and New Year’s countdowns—making it lively and walkable on weekends. Despite its urban flair, Minato Mirai offers quiet residential areas, green parks, and supermarkets, ensuring residents enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle.

The Vibe in Sakuragicho

Sakuragicho Station offers two completely different experiences depending on which exit you take. The east exit opens onto Minato Mirai with its tourist attractions and high-rises, while the west exit leads to a traditional working-class neighborhood.
On the east side, you’ll find large complexes like Colette Mare, hotels, and residential towers. A moving walkway stretches nearly 200 meters to Landmark Tower, while the YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN ropeway connects you to the Shinko district for scenic aerial travel.
To the west lies the Nogecho district, a beloved local nightlife area full of traditional Japanese bars (izakaya) and ramen shops. It’s a welcoming, down-to-earth neighborhood with a nostalgic atmosphere.

Transportation Convenience

Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho are well-connected transit hubs. The nearby Yokohama Station is served by six different rail operators, giving residents easy and direct access across the Tokyo-Yokohama area.
Below are some key stations accessible without transfers.

Train Access

Minato Mirai Station is served by the Minatomirai Line, which runs through Yokohama and connects directly with the Tokyu Toyoko Line. This enables one-seat access to central Tokyo areas like Shibuya and Ikebukuro.

No-Transfer Destinations from Minato Mirai Station

Sakuragicho Station is served by JR Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line and Yokohama City Subway Blue Line, with some JR Yokohama Line trains running directly into Tokyo. Some lines originate here, making commuting more comfortable even during rush hour.

No-Transfer Destinations from Sakuragicho Station

Common Routes for Foreign Residents

• Narita Airport: Yokohama → Shinagawa → Narita Express (Approx. 90 min)
• Haneda Airport: Direct bus (~30 min) or via Minato Mirai → Shinagawa → Keikyu Line (~45 min)
• Tokyo Disneyland: Yokohama → Shin-Kiba → JR Keiyo Line (~1 hour)

Bus Access

The “Akai Kutsu” sightseeing bus, which departs from Sakuragicho Station, is named after the famous Japanese nursery rhyme "Red Shoes." It offers a convenient way to visit Yokohama’s major attractions, including the Red Brick Warehouse, Chinatown, and the Motomachi–Yamate area. Though designed for tourists, it’s also popular with locals and costs just ¥220 per ride. Discounted day passes are also available.

Additionally, direct airport buses run from both Sakuragicho and Minato Mirai to Haneda Airport, taking approximately one hour.

Top Reasons Minato Mirai & Sakuragicho Are Great for Daily Living

Here are six highlights that make the Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho area a fantastic place to live. We’ve also listed nearby spots to help you visualize what daily life could look like here.

1. Endless Shopping Options with Large Retail Complexes

With countless shopping centers in both Sakuragicho and Minato Mirai, you'll never run out of retail therapy choices. Here's a breakdown of major complexes in each area:

Around Sakuragicho

Around Minato Mirai

Thanks to moving walkways, buses, and even a ropeway, you can explore the entire area without a car.

2. Variety of Grocery Stores for Daily Shopping

Despite the many upscale malls, you’ll also find practical supermarkets for daily needs in this area.
Near Minato Mirai Station, “Foodway” inside MARK IS offers fresh produce and international groceries, including Korean goods. “OK Store Minatomirai” is another popular option, focusing on quality at low prices.
In Sakuragicho, Colette Mare hosts two supermarkets: “Summit” on the B1 level with great deli options and fair pricing, and “Bio c’ Bon,” a French organic grocery on the 1st floor offering premium natural foods and wines.
Other notable supermarkets include “Food Wonder” inside Pio City and “KITANO ACE” in CIAL Sakuragicho.

3. Access to History, Culture, and the Arts

Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho offer excellent access to museums and cultural attractions.
The Red Brick Warehouse, built between the late Meiji and early Taisho periods, is a designated cultural property offering exhibitions, shopping, and dining. The nearby Yokohama Museum of Art houses over 14,000 works, including pieces by Picasso and Dali, and includes a free-access art library.
The Yokohama Port Museum provides interactive exhibits on maritime history, including ship navigation simulators and VR tours.

4. Parks and Green Spaces for Relaxation

Minato Mirai’s Rinko Park is a large waterfront green space perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view. It’s one of the largest open areas in the district and a favorite among locals.
Nogeyama Park, about 15 minutes from Sakuragicho Station, is home to the free-entry Nogeyama Zoo with a wide range of animals—great for families.
Yamashita Park, near Motomachi-Chukagai Station, is famous for its roses and seafront views. It also hosts international festivals, making it a hub for cultural exchange.

5. A Global Culinary Scene

With nearby Chinatown and an abundance of global restaurants, the area is a food lover’s paradise.

• World Beer Museum Yokohama: 500+ beers and global dishes (2 min from Minato Mirai Station)
• Gyu Thai Queens East: Authentic Thai cuisine approved by the Thai Embassy (1 min from Minato Mirai Station)
• HUB Sakuragicho: British-style pub with sports screenings and a wide drink selection (1 min from Sakuragicho Station)

The presence of many foreign visitors and residents fosters a welcoming, multicultural dining environment.

6. International Schools and Education

Families will appreciate the excellent education options, including Yokohama International School (ages 3–18) and various preschools with international curriculums.
Notable options include Imagine International Preschool, known for its early global education, and CGK International School, an IB PYP accredited school offering a world-class curriculum.
With multiple schools available, parents can choose based on their preferred teaching philosophy and their child’s needs.

Year-Round Activities

• Spring (Mar–May): Cherry blossoms at Nogeyama Park
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Fireworks festival and picnics at Rinko Park
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Oktoberfest at the Red Brick Warehouse
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Illuminations and countdown events

Apartment Rent Prices in Yokohama, Minato Mirai & Sakuragicho

Here is a breakdown of average rental prices around Minato Mirai Station, Shin-Takashima Station, Sakuragicho Station, and Yokohama Station. Shin-Takashima is located between Yokohama and Minato Mirai.

The Minato Mirai and Shin-Takashima areas tend to feature high-rise or luxury apartments, especially for multi-bedroom units, which raises rental costs. Sakuragicho, being adjacent yet slightly more affordable, offers a great balance between convenience and cost.

Comparison with Central Tokyo

• Shibuya / Shinjuku: 20–30% higher than Minato Mirai
• Considering commute times: Minato Mirai offers great value for those working in Tokyo

Foreign Resident-Friendly Housing Features

• Furnished apartments: typically ¥10,000–¥20,000 more per month
• English-speaking property managers: limited but available
• No-guarantor apartments: service fees of 0.5–1% of monthly rent via guarantor company

A Foreigner-Friendly Place to Live

Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho are home to many international companies and foreign residents. Many local shops support English, making everyday life easy.
English-speaking medical facilities such as Keiyu Hospital and MM Wanpaku Kodomo Clinic are also nearby, offering peace of mind to non-Japanese speakers.
The Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges (YOKE), located in Minato Mirai, provides multilingual consultations and hosts Japanese language classes and cultural exchange events to support foreign residents.
If you're looking for an apartment in the area, be sure to reach out to a real estate agent with experience helping international clients.