Yokohama is a modern city, just south of Tokyo. You can find it to be a beautiful, exotic port town. It sits between central Tokyo and ancient capital Kamakura, about 20 to 30 minutes away by train from both areas. Among many tourists’ destinations in Yokohama, including famous China Town, I recommend you try the Yokohama Night Cruise, which is a unique experience where you can enjoy the beautiful night view of Yokohama Port and the powerful flares and cool lights of factories in the Keihin Industrial Zone between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is an easy stop and a great additional attraction for tourists returning to their Tokyo hotels from the ancient samurai capital of Kamakura.
I sat on the seat on the cozy boat’s rooftop floor. We set sail from Zo-no-Hana Pier at 19:00. Unfortunately, it was cloudy because a typhoon had passed a little south of Tokyo, so we could not see a beautiful sunset, and Mt. Fuji in the distance, but the sea was calm with no waves and rain.
The evening view of the Yokohama Bay area from the sea is so beautiful that it looks like gold jewelry spread across the coastline. In addition, the light’s reflection on the sea, waving quietly, made it fantastic. The upper photo was taken when we left the pier, and the lower one was taken when we returned.
The night cruise offers gorgeous night views of the city, created to entertain citizens and visitors. On the other hand, it also shows cool, calm, and modest lights for factory night shift workers, making the cruise unique and memorable. The factories along the canals are lit up mainly with bright white lights, so they do not look colorful or gorgeous, but they give me a sense that the factories are quietly working to produce the necessities for your modern life. I even felt appreciation for their hard work 24/7.
The main event of the cruise is not the factories’ lights. It’s Flare Stack!!
The flare stack neutralizes unwanted and toxic gas generated in power plants, gas-producing and supplying plants, and chemical factories by burning it at the top of chimneys. The fire was energetic, and I felt the heat even away from the flame. The flare and white lights tell me that the industries quietly dedicate themselves to supporting our society in Japan.
The cruise service I joined does not have an English website or an English guide on board, either. But you may get a chance to ride it if there are vacant seats of the day. It’s worth visiting the Zou-no-Hana Pier directly around 18:30. If you want to make a reservation and need an English-speaking guide on board, please let me know via the contact form below.
Location of the Pier Zou-no-Hana:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bX5fU4yQEvV2aZir6
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