Okay, So Like, Yokohama is...Something (and My Fingers Are Freezing)
i just got back from yokohama, and honestly? i’m still processing. it wasn’t bad, per se. just…a lot. like, a whole lot. i’m a freelance photographer, you know? I chase light, I hunt for the weird, the beautiful, the fleeting. and yokohama…it’s got all that, but it’s layered under a thick coating of…organized chaos?
I landed on a day that felt like someone forgot to tell the weather it was supposed to be spring. i just checked and it's hovering around 2.32°C, feels like -0.34°C. there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. my fingers are numb just thinking about it. I was bundled up like a yeti, which isn’t exactly conducive to street photography, let me tell you.
I spent most of my time wandering around *Minato Mirai, which is…shiny. Really shiny. All glass and steel and reflections. It’s impressive, I guess, but it felt a little…sterile? Like a movie set for a futuristic city that forgot to hire a decorator. I did manage to snag a few decent shots, though. The light bouncing off the water was pretty spectacular, even if my hands were turning into ice cubes.
I stumbled upon this tiny ramen shop in Chinatown - seriously, Chinatown is massive - and it was a revelation. The smell alone could knock you off your feet. I overheard a couple arguing about whether the broth was “authentically Hakka” or not. Apparently, it’s a serious debate. Someone told me that the best ramen in Yokohama is a closely guarded secret, passed down through generations. I’m not sure I believe that, but the ramen I had was pretty darn good. Check out some reviews on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=ramen&find_loc=Yokohama,+Kanagawa,+Japan.
I also spent an afternoon wandering around Sankeien Garden. It’s…weirdly beautiful. Like, a collection of historic buildings from all over Japan, meticulously relocated and rebuilt in this one garden. It felt like stepping into a time machine, but also like a slightly unsettling museum exhibit. I heard that the garden was created by a silk merchant who wanted to preserve traditional Japanese architecture. Apparently, he bought entire buildings and moved them there! You can find more info on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298185-d1183773-Reviews-Sankeien_Garden-Yokohama_Kanagawa_Prefecture_Kanto.html.
If you get bored, Kawasaki and Tokyo* are just a short train ride away. I didn’t make it to either, honestly. I was too busy trying to defrost my extremities.
Honestly, the whole trip felt a bit…off. Like I was seeing a carefully curated version of Japan. Maybe I needed to dig deeper, get lost in the back alleys, talk to more locals. Or maybe I just needed a warmer coat. I’m not sure. But it was definitely an experience. I’m already thinking about my next trip - somewhere warmer, preferably. Maybe somewhere with less…organized chaos. I’m considering checking out some local photography forums for tips: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html.
One thing's for sure: I need a hot bath and a serious cup of coffee. And maybe a new pair of gloves.
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