Yokohama Port Museum in Minato Mirai traces the port’s development through exhibits on ships, trade and harbor operations. Its History Zone follows the port’s past, while the Rediscovery Zone puts you at the controls of interactive activities, including a ship-handling simulator and a VR experience with English subtitles. The museum stands beside the Nippon Maru, a 1930 sailing ship once used to train Japanese cadets. Pair the two for a closer look at Yokohama’s maritime history; check ahead in case repairs affect access to the ship.
The port’s story in two zones
The museum is arranged around two themes: the port’s history and interactive ways to understand it. In the History Zone, exhibits trace Yokohama’s development as a port from the 19th century onward. The story includes the port’s opening in 1859, the growth of its facilities and the ships connected with its maritime trade.
Models, photographs, artifacts, audio and video help explain how the harbor and its operations changed. Displays also cover international exchange through photographs and commemorative gifts. The material places ships and port engineering within the wider history of Yokohama, rather than treating the harbor only as a collection of vessels.
Interactive exhibits and English help
The Rediscovery Zone makes port operations more hands-on. A ship-handling simulator lets you try bringing a vessel into Yokohama Harbor, while a gantry crane simulator focuses on the equipment used to move cargo. These activities give children and adults a practical way to engage with the subjects covered in the historical displays.
The museum also has a VR experience about port operations, with English subtitles, as well as short films and other interactive displays. English information is available, although much of the written material is in Japanese. Scan the museum’s QR code for an English guide if you want more detail while moving through the exhibits.
Aboard the Nippon Maru
The Nippon Maru is moored beside the museum in Nippon Maru Memorial Park. Built in 1930 as a training vessel for Japanese cadets, the sailing ship is now open to visitors. Its interior and deck offer a look at the vessel and the conditions of training and daily life aboard when it sailed.
The ship and museum cover complementary parts of Yokohama’s maritime story: one explains the port and its development, while the other gives you a ship to explore. Access to the vessel can be affected by repairs, so check its status before planning your visit around going aboard.
Planning your visit
The museum is at 2 Chome-1-1 Minatomirai, in Nishi Ward, within Minato Mirai. It first opened in 1989 as the Yokohama Maritime Museum and was renovated and renamed in 2009, in connection with the port’s 150th anniversary.
Allow time for both the exhibits and the ship if you plan to see them together. Lockers can hold small and medium bags, and there is a gift shop. If you want to spend time outside in the memorial park, cooler months are a more comfortable choice.
Perguntas frequentes
What can you see at Yokohama Port Museum?
Exhibits cover the history and operations of Yokohama Port, with artifacts, models, photographs, video and interactive activities. The Nippon Maru sailing ship is moored beside the museum.
Can you visit the Nippon Maru?
The ship is open to visitors, who can explore its deck and interior. Check ahead for repairs or closures that could affect access.
Is there information in English?
An English guide is available through a QR code, and the VR experience has English subtitles. Much of the written display material is in Japanese.
How long should you allow for a visit?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours to see the museum and Nippon Maru together.
