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The Yamate Foreigners' Cemetery in the hills of Yokohama
For most of the 250 years of the Edo Period (1603-1867), the rulers of Japan prohibited almost all interactions with foreign countries. When the period of isolation finally ended in the 1850s, Yokohama was one of only a few port towns where foreign traders, looking to profit from the newly opened country, were permitted to reside. While the Chinese made themselves a Chinatown, Westerners took up in the hills of the Yamate area, which was also called "The Bluff".
The Yamate area retains a number of sites relating to its history as the main residential district of Westerners in Yokohama. However, because of the Great Kanto Earthquake, few of them predate 1923. Present day Yamate is still for the most part a hilly residential area with some pleasant parks. As visitors travel between Yamate's sightseeing spots, they will see by the international schools and churches that the presence of Western residents continues to this day.
Inside Bluff No. 111
Yamate has a number of parks within walking distance from each other. The largest is the Harbor View Park, which is named after the view that the park affords onto the water and the Yokohama Bay Bridge. On the park grounds one can find some of the area's preserved western buildings. Mostly former residences, the buildings are open to the public and most have been furnished in their original style.
Below the hills of Yamate is the Motomachi shopping street, which runs parallel to the Nakamura River. The street served the needs of the first foreign residents of Yokohama, and introduced many products to Japan. Nowadays the street does not differ drastically from other shopping streets, but it still has a certain European feel. There is a large number of higher end fashion shops, as well as cafes and restaurants. The street runs 500 meters and is pedestrian only on weekends from 12:00 to 18:00.
Motomachi Shopping Street
The Foreigners' Cemetery dates back to 1854, when Commodore Perry (the American navy officer who forced Japan to open its ports) buried one of his sailors on a hill overlooking the water. A few months later, a couple of Russian sailors were buried as well.
In 1861, it was designated as a cemetery for foreigners. Today, a small section of the 4200 graves can be visited, and the inscriptions often offer an interesting glimpse into the life of the interred. A small, informative museum is located beside the entrance. The cemetery is only open in the afternoons on weekends from March to December.
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How to get there
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Motomachi-Chukagai Station (8 minutes, 200 yen from Yokohama Station) on the Minato Mirai Line is located just beside the northern end of the Motomachi Shopping Street and the Harbor View Park. Alternatively, Ishikawacho Station (7 minutes, 150 yen from Yokohama Station) on the JR Negishi Line is located near the southern end of the Motomachi Shopping Street.
The Akaikutsu Loop Bus connects the northern end of the Yamate district with other sightseeing spots in central Yokohama. One ride costs 100 yen per ride.
How to get to and around Yokohama
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Hours and Fees
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| Foreigners' Cemetery (small public area and museum) | | Hours: | 12:00 to 16:00 on weekends and national holidays | | Closed: | Weekdays and January and February | | Admission: | By donation (200 yen is suggested) |
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Travel Community
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Popularity of Yamate and Motomachi:
Users who have been to Yokohama: 983
Users who have been to Yamate and Motomachi: 2324th of 9 most visited sights in Yokohama.
98th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.
Ratings for Yamate and Motomachi:
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japan-guide.com Rating:
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interesting
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User Rating (by 116 users):
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79/100
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recommended
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Hotel and Ryokan
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Yokohama Hostel Village
Relaxing home away from home for budget travelers and back packers near Yokohama Chinatown. Friendly staff and no curfew.
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