Yokohama
As we enter the Year of the Horse, I’ve been reflecting on the significance of this year: forward movement, independence, endurance—all of which resonate with me and are themes in my meditation practice. This year is more than just a typical year of the horse, though; it is a “fire horse year,” a year that only happens once every 60 years when the horse is paired with the fire element in the Chinese zodiac calendar to create even more opportunities for profound growth and change. I was looking for things to do around the Tokyo area to experience cultural celebrations of the Lunar New Year, and I settled on a day trip to Yokohama.
Yokohama is the second most populous city in Japan and is located on Tokyo Bay just a short train ride south of Tokyo. It’s a major industrial center with companies like Nissan, Isuzu, and JVC calling Yokohama home. The city also is home to Japan’s first Chinatown (founded in 1859). After I spent some time enjoying a peaceful seaside stroll through the park at Osanbashi Pier, I walked for a couple of hours through the city streets to get lost and explore. I stumbled upon the Yokohama Strawberry Festival and enjoyed a strawberry-flavored churro while watching festival attendees enjoy strawberry treats and take selfies with their strawberry desserts and charms. As I continued on my walk, I came upon the Cup Noodles Museum where, for a ¥500 entry fee, you can tour the museum and create your own custom instant noodle cup to take home and enjoy. I made my way to the giant “Cosmo Clock” ferris wheel as the sun was setting and took a photo of that part of Yokohama at golden hour.
Once darkness fell, I made my way to Chinatown to take in the sights and sounds of the vibrant neighborhood. The district was full of lighting and other decor celebrating Lunar New Year. I enjoyed a steamed pork bao bun from a vendor and had a hankering for soup dumplings, so I found a vendor who made them while you waited and enjoyed six of them accompanied by spicy pieces of fresh ginger root and a tangy vinegar sauce. I loved the energy of Chinatown at night and trying to document that vibrancy through photos showing the colors, lights, and people enjoying a delightful Saturday evening.
