Our tenth entry in this blog is our trip to Sakuragicho in Yokohama, Japan. This has always been our favorite dating place when Dave and I are not yet married. We even bought our wedding rings here 🙂 The place is truly awesome. You can never be bored at Sakuragicho. Food is great, scenery is amazing (with all the waters, boats, high-rise buildings), amusement park (Cosmo World) for the kids is huge, nice view from the very big ferris wheel, museums all around, malls surrounding the place, and a whole whole lot more! 🙂

We had our lunch at an eat-all-you-can Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki restaurant inside World Porters mall. I forgot the name of the restaurant, as always, I am sure it doesn’t have letters on it, only japanese characters. 🙂

We toured the mall a bit, and here is Rei sitting by the big ad for the movie Zootopia.

After our lunch, we walked to Red Brick (Aka Renga) to stroll around. Unfortunately, there were some preparations made for a concert of a Japanese pop star. And since I always forget to take good pictures, my excuse is that I have 2 small kids that needs my attention minute by minute (whatevs!), or I am just not the photo-taking-person type (now that’s a better excuse). Here is a photo I got from a friend named google (photo from supermerlion.com)

Formally the Customs Inspection House for Yokohama Bay’s shipping activities in the early 1920’s, these handsome red brick buildings have been converted into one of Yokohama’s most popular family or date spots. Inside the building there are many unique shops and restaurants. Outside, throughout the year, numerous events take place. October Beer Fest in autumn, a skating rink in winter, and concerts during the summer. Situated right on the bay, the views are beautiful. -yokohamajapan.com

My favorite area is the amusement park (Cosmo World). The place is scenic and beautiful by day and the lighting make it a romantic place to walk at night. It has no entrance charge. Customers pay by the individual ride or attraction. Here is Papa Dave and Sai walking hand-in-hand to get to the big carousel.

And that ends our visit to Sakuragicho. Sorry it does not contain lots of information as basis for travels. This is only our personal diary. For the kids to view and read when they grow up 🙂

 

The birthplace of the railways is the starting point for tourism in Yokohama

Sakuragicho took its name from the Sakura River, which used to flow nearby. In 1872, Japan’s first railway line was opened, running between the stations at Shimbashi and Yokohama. Yokohama Station was located at what is now Sakuragicho Station. In 1914, Yokohama Station was relocated to Takashimacho, and the original station was renamed Sakuragicho Station. A monument has been erected at the station, commemorating its status as the birthplace of Japan’s railways. In front of the station is Minato Mirai, a 186-hectare district that is home to office buildings, commercial facilities, and hotels. Work began in 1983, with a view to the area’s redevelopment as a waterfront city, and Sakuragicho is now the bustling gateway to Minato Mirai for travelers on JR lines and on the Yokohama Municipal Subway. -jnto.go.jp