Day 15 - Yokohama (Tokyo)

14th February, 2003 - Well, as it turned out... it was not exactly harbour-side... but we had excellent views of the night-scape (and a very convenient car-park for free). The meal was very nice - but T-Chan doesn't drink much alcohol, but occassionally indulges in a drink. Tonight she ordered one of her favourites... Midori and Lemonade. "Midori... nani?" The waiter looked as if we had asked him to serve us his brain. I know Midori is made in Mexico... but I had assumed that it was well known in Japan. We had a bit of a laugh (after pointing out the big GREEN bottle to him (midori = green). ? ; p

After finishing a very satisfying dinner, we went for a nice stroll along the harbour-side through to Minato Mirai 21... a large reclaimed land development that juts out of Yokohama Bay. Hmm - looking at these photos it looks like welcoming... and it was a fun (if long) walk. However... it was BLOODY FREEZING.

There is a nice shopping area known simply as the Red Brick Warehouse (hmmm seems that I've heard that name before... in Hakodate... which was similiarly FREEZING!). Actually, it may not be the most impressive shopping district in Yokohama, but it's very nice change of pace from the rest of the bright lights. We had a lot of fun looking around the collection of small shops here.

But if that was a little too slow paced for you - there's always Yokohama's Cosmoworld. It's a fairly small enterainment park, but the views must be great. In one of those sad moments however... as we arrived they had just started playing the haunting (and somewhat annoying) strains of Auld Lang Syne... don't ask me why, but this music is synonymous with closing time. *sigh*.... then again... I'm not that good with heights anyhow.

Just around the corner you'll find the Nippon Maru... it's been a training vessel for over the last 50 years, and has travelled over 1.8 million kilometres... and is now on permanent display.

Yokohama's skyline is certainly impressive at night, but around Minato Mirai 21, the impressive views start below the ground floor!

10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Lift-off for Rocket-ship Yokohama! At least it's a distinctively coloured tower, even though it might not be as structurally impressive as Tokyo Tower....