Motomachi (Yokohama) 元町（横浜）

Located just south of Yokohama Chinatown , Motomachi shows off the city's international personality with a retail district shaped by the cultural exchanges between Japan and the West from the late 19th century onward.

The nearest stations are Motomachi-Chukagai on the Minatomirai Line and JR Ishikawacho Station on the Negishi Line.

Both stations are less than 10 minutes' away from Yokohama Station, and less than an hour from downtown Tokyo on the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

The main draw in this area is Motomachi Shopping Street. The district spawned a confluence of Japanese and Western culture in the boutiques, cafes, and other local businesses that sprouted up here after Japan opened itself to the world in the late 19th century. From here, Western cultural influences spread elsewhere in Japan, while Japanese cultural influences traveled the opposite way to the West.

In addition to clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories, visitors can browse stores selling sporting goods, art, tableware, plus beauty salons, barbershops, and much more.

Take a break at a restaurant or coffee shop, or grab a drink at one of Motomachi's many sophisticated bars. The area is home to a variety of international restaurants serving everything from Hawaiian and Italian to Chinese and Japanese, plus the unique "Yokohama French" found only at Cuisine Francaise Mutekiro.

The biggest event on Motomachi Shopping Street is the semi-annual Charming Sale in February and September, when you can hunt for great deals. Other events include winter illuminations in January and February, a St. Patrick's Day Parade in March, a Food Fair and Halloween in October, and more.