Yokohama City Area Guide
Located approximately 30 km southwest of central Tokyo, Yokohama City is Japan's most populous city with around 3.77 million residents and serves as the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. Facing Tokyo Bay, Yokohama seamlessly blends its historic port town heritage with a vibrant international culture. Popular tourist spots include Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Motomachi, offering a variety of shopping, dining, and leisure options. The city is also a thriving business hub, home to numerous corporate offices. Transportation networks are well developed, with JR lines, private railways, and subways connecting Yokohama internally and to central Tokyo, making commuting convenient. Offering diverse residential areas, Yokohama provides a comfortable living environment for families, singles, and foreign residents alike.
Yokohama City Key Data
- Area
- 438.23 km²
- Population
- 3,764,821
- Population Density
- 8,591 people / km²
- Foreign Residents
- 121,042
Major Stations and Access to Key Areas in Tokyo
Major Train Stations in Yokohama City
- Yokohama Station (JR Tokaido Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Yokosuka Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line, Keikyu Main Line, Sotetsu Main Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line)
- Sakuragicho Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, Negishi Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line)
- Kannai Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, Negishi Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line)
- Minato Mirai Station (Minato Mirai Line)
- Shin-Yokohama Station (JR Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Yokohama Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line)
Average Travel Time from Major Stations to Key Tokyo Area
| Departure Station | Shinjuku | Tokyo | Shibuya | Ikebukuro | Ueno | Shinagawa | Akihabara |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama Station | About 30 min | About 25 min | About 27 min | About 35 min | About 40 min | About 20 min | About 35 min |
Living Convenience for Foreign Residents
International Schools
- Yokohama International School: Established in 1924, offering a full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from early childhood through high school, highly regarded among expatriate families.
- St. Maur International School: A Catholic coeducational school providing English-based education from kindergarten through high school in a welcoming, global-minded environment.
- Horizon Japan International School: Located in the Yamate area, an IB-accredited school offering bilingual English-Japanese education for students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Medical Facilities with Foreign Language Support
- St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama Seibu Hospital: A general hospital in western Yokohama with multilingual services available for international patients.
- Yokohama City University Hospital: A leading university hospital offering advanced medical care and English-speaking services in selected departments, trusted by foreign residents and students.
Popular Supermarkets and Restaurants Among Foreign Residents
- OK Minato Mirai Store: A popular discount supermarket offering fresh foods and daily necessities at affordable prices in a spacious setting.
- Costco Kanazawa Seaside Store: A membership-based warehouse supermarket with American-sized products and a wide range of imported goods.
- Yokohama Chinatown: One of the world's largest Chinatowns with over 600 restaurants and specialty stores offering cuisine from Beijing, Cantonese, Shanghai, and Sichuan styles.
Public Support Services for Foreign Residents
- Yokohama International Communication Center: Offers multilingual life consultations, Japanese language learning support, and international exchange events.
- Yokohama City Hall Foreign Resident Consultation Desk: Provides comprehensive multilingual support on visas, welfare, childcare, employment, and education via in-person, phone, and email services.
Popular Neighborhoods in Yokohama City
- Yokohama Station Area: A bustling commercial and business district with excellent access to shopping and transportation.
- Minato Mirai Area: A modern waterfront district blending tourism, commerce, and business.
- Chinatown Area: Home to one of the world’s largest Chinatowns, known for its multicultural dining experiences.
- Motomachi/Yamate Area: A prestigious residential area with a unique international atmosphere.
- Kannai/Bashamichi Area: A vibrant area where business and entertainment coexist.
- Shin-Yokohama Area: A transportation hub with Shinkansen access offering great convenience.
Housing Market in Yokohama
Yokohama City offers an excellent living environment with international flair and convenient access to central Tokyo. The pre-owned condominium market has been on an upward trend, with the average price reaching approximately ¥65.4 million in Q4 2024, marking a 14.6% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, the average price for new single-family homes as of January 2025 stands at about ¥47.2 million, reflecting active market conditions. The rental market is equally diverse, offering options from compact studios to spacious family units at more affordable rates compared to Tokyo. Studio-type apartments start from around ¥60,000 per month, and 2- to 3-bedroom family units can be rented for around ¥100,000–¥200,000 per month depending on the area. There are also increasing numbers of foreigner-friendly properties and English-speaking real estate agencies, making it easier for newcomers to find housing.
Average Rent by Floor Plan
| STUDIO | 1Bedroom | 2Bedrooms | 3Bedrooms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent (JPY/month) | ¥68,000 | ¥95,000 | ¥123,000 | ¥158,000 |
Average Prices for Pre-Owned Homes
| Area | Apartment (70m²) | Single-Family Home (100m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Tsurumi Ward | ¥38,930,000 | ¥41,210,000 |
| Kanagawa Ward | ¥44,740,000 | ¥45,310,000 |
| Nishi Ward | ¥49,030,000 | ¥54,880,000 |
| Naka Ward | ¥42,620,000 | ¥51,240,000 |
| Minami Ward | ¥36,360,000 | ¥37,280,000 |
| Hodogaya Ward | ¥26,420,000 | ¥38,750,000 |
| Isogo Ward | ¥27,330,000 | ¥40,440,000 |
| Kohoku Ward | ¥39,920,000 | ¥53,110,000 |
| Aoba Ward | ¥38,760,000 | ¥56,710,000 |
| Tsuzuki Ward | ¥43,660,000 | ¥51,640,000 |