{"id":2251,"date":"2016-03-06T21:15:05","date_gmt":"2016-03-06T12:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2018-06-13T14:37:31","modified_gmt":"2018-06-13T05:37:31","slug":"yokohama-parks-cosmo-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/yokohama-parks-cosmo-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Yokohama Parks and Cosmo World"},"content":{"rendered":"
Yokohama is a large city, but one does not need to look far for something to do. Within just the area around the harbor there are so many parks to visit for pleasant scenery. On top of that, Yokohama Cosmo World offers various attractions including rollercoasters, prize winning games and an arcade. Whether the natural parks or the amusement park piques your interest, Yokohama has both within close range, allowing easy enjoyment of either, if not both.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n Rinko Park lies by the port, and requires transferring to the Minato Mirai line after arriving at Yokohama Station. Depart at Minato Mirai Station, then head past Pacifico Yokohama. Rinko Park is Minato Mirai’s largest park, providing large open areas where people regularly partake in activities from picnics to Frisbee or badminton. Right across from the open grass is a full view of Yokohama Port. On a nice day, the view is absolutely stunning looking either direction, whether you look towards the city or the water. Seeing the lively people talking and enjoying the park makes the atmosphere even brighter. While simply sitting on the concrete steps before the water, watching the waves as fisherman patiently cast their lines, it becomes hard not to appreciate the park’s overall mood.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Just by the port waters stands an interesting statue you might spot within Rinko Park: \u201cFruits Tree\u201d. Made from fiberglass and plastic, it is a tree with its entire upper half being various fruits, just like the name describes. The statue is a little off to the side, near the park’s boundary, but very hard to miss if you walk along the port. Seeing as there are other statues along the way, just walking from one end to the other is nowhere close to being a waste of time.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Walking along the water to the east, past Yokohama\u2019s Red Brick Warehouse, is Yamashita Park. Built with rubble from the aftermath of the Great Kanto Earthquake, it allows for another amazing view of Yokohama\u2019s port. Stretching almost 700 meters long, Yamashita Park opens another spacious and gorgeous spot, where various trees and flowers are planted down the park’s length. In addition to that, you can often view the ship that is anchored there, named Hikawamaru, which was a former cargo and passenger ship now resting in the port. The ship can still be seen at night, thanks to lights tied around the ship.<\/p>\n Another attraction is the \u201cGirl in the Red Shoes\u201d statue, a lone girl facing Yokohama’s port. Though no one entirely agrees on exactly what happened, the story behind the statue isn\u2019t a happy one. A popular song about the girl explains her story, which may also be the reason why the girl in red shoes is as well-known as she is.<\/p>\n On top of that, there is a statue called the \u201cGuardian of Water\u201d, a gift from Yokohama\u2019s sister city of San Diego. It\u2019s a beautiful statue that sits as the centerpiece of a fountain. A fine piece of art, it is a lovely sight whether seen during the night or day. At the park’s very eastern edge is a stunning water stair for which I recommend traveling through the entirety of the park. With just as much activity here as Rinko Park during nice weather, it also tends to be quite a popular location. Wherever one finds themselves, Yamashita Park is an attractive place.<\/p>\n