Guided History & Nature Exploration in the Yokohama Hill Area
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
The tour is by Sayumi, the Official Kanagawa Tour Guide. Starting from Motomachi-Chukagai station, we will go up to Harbor View Park (by escalator) for the best photoshoot of the port for your Yokohama memory. Visit Yamate Bluff, where the foreign residents stayed after the opening of the port 150 years ago, which keeps its historical view, architectural style, and friendly atmosphere until today. Studio Ghibli's movie "From Up on Poppy Hill" is located here, too, so we will be able to visit some familiar spots from the movie. After having a relaxing tea time at the popular tea salon, we will explore Motomachi, the original high street built back around the time of the opening of the port, full of unique and fashionable shops best for gifts and souvenirs. The final destination is Sankeien, 20 minutes from Motomachi by bus. You can enjoy the beauty of the traditional Japanese architecture and garden collection that provides every 'chic' from all over Japan.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
It's a normal walk around town, but there are some ups and downs.
What To Expect
Harbor View Park
The nice view of the port, and the best point for the photo-shoot.
The Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery
This spot is very symbolic place to see how Yokohama started as the first contact point with the international society 150 years ago.
Options
Additional visit to tea salon
Special tea salon at Sankeien: On May 8 and 9, visitors can enjoy a set of Japanese tea and Japanese sweets at a special Japanese tea salon in Sankeien.
Guided History & Nature Exploration in the Yokohama Hill Area
Heart of Yokohama 国関 private
Special Tour for Pan san
Yokohama Air Cabin Duration: 10 hours
Enjoying Full Moon Festival
Full Moon Festival at Sankeien: Enjoy traditional Full Moon Watching and the exceptional music performance specially planned during this weekend at Sankeien. Duration: 4 hours Tea (and sweets): We may either have a tea/coffee break at the Yamate area or at the Sankeien garden. Yokohama Hill Area Walking: Starting from the Motomachi-Chukagai Station, we will go to the Harber View Park, the Yamate area, and the Sankeien Garden. Night Viewing of Sankeien : This is only for the first weekend of October, as Sankeien Garden is open until late hours then for the full moon watching.
The special tour for Xenia
横浜山手と三渓園（1月11日）
お茶 三渓園入場料
What‘s Included
Admission fee for Sankeien
Break with the authentic Japanese tea at the tea salon
Bus from Motomachi to Sankeien (220 yen)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
I enjoyed learning about...
TAEYONG L,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I enjoyed learning about the rich history of Yokohama. Sayumi was an excellent guide sharing many milestone historical events occurred in Yokohama. Thanks to her program, I now have a brand new perspective about Yokohama! I highly recommend.
Fabulous Tour
Nicole H,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of my favorite days in Japan. Sayumi is an excellent guide. Her love of Yokohama was evident throughout the day. I learned a lot about the opening of Japan to the west and the foreigners who settled in Yokohama. Our stop to have a traditional sweet and tea was delicious. The extensive gardens we visited with traditional structures was also wonderful. The cherry on top was that we stumbled upon the opening of an art exhibition with the artisans there to explain their handicrafts. With Sayumi there we were able to have conversations with the artisans and learned so much more than if we had been there on our own. I 100% recommend this tour if you are interested in history and gardens. I would happily relive the day again.
Beautiful and informative tour!
Lorelai S,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very beautiful tour! Sayumi is knowledgeable about many parts of the city, and is a wonderful storyteller. She was a great companion for the day! I highly recommend taking this tour, as you will feel very welcome in Yokohama and learn very much!
Personal and lovely guided tour
Nicola M,Apr 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sayumi was a fabulous guide and host. She picked me up from my hotel and adjusted her schedule due to weather. I had a very enjoyable afternoon learning the history of this area and spending time in the wonderful Sankien gardens. We had a lovely coffee at a Japanese coffee shop and I really felt like I had a true peak into Yokohama’s culture. I highly recommend this tour. She tries very hard to make your time special.
We had a great time...
Li S,Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time exploring Yokohama’s beautiful hill neighborhoods with Sayumi San! Before our arrival, she contacted us and gave us recommendations based on what I wanted to experience. Sayumi San is very knowledgeable, and patient. Her love for this beautiful city is contagious. We walked around for a bit, then we ended our tour at the beautiful Sankei-en garden. We also enjoyed Japanese matcha and sweets at the garden. I am so glad that I booked this tour. If you want to know more about Yokohama’s history, I’d highly recommend this tour with Sayumi San!
When a guide is in love with his city, the tour turns into a fairy tale
Xenia R,Feb 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were enchanted by our wonderful guide and the city she showed us. At first it was Yokohama as a center of different cultures, and then it turned into the most traditional one. We were delighted.
Great afternoon walking and learning about Yokohama area
Mayuko T,Jan 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a such a lovely day with Sayumi as our guide. Her walking tour around the hillside area and gardens in Yokohama is great half day walk to discover a hidden jam of the town. She brought us to the most amazing locations such as viewpoints and historical sites. Especially I loved the tea shop where we tried recommended flavor of Japanese tea which may bring us good fortune! And magical time spending in Sankeien Garden. I was so impressed by the beauty and serenity of this traditional Japanese landscape garden. Worth visiting if you’re fond of flowers, birds or authentic Japanese style architecture. If I were visiting all sites by myself, I would not have had such a wonderful time. And last but not least, her deep affection and great passion for welcoming all guest to this tour touched me so much! Definitely would recommend to anyone I know coming here and join this tour!!
Great outing with history and nature in Yokohama!
Yurie M,Jan 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sayumi was a wonderful guide. Extremely knowledgeable and very organized. The landscapes and buildings of Yokohama were not only beautiful but were filled with interesting history. The stories Sayumi provided were fascinating and made me understand what an important role Yokohama played during and after the Meiji restoration. The little tea room where we had a tea break was absolutely delightful. “Sankei-en” Garden, despite being not far from the centre of Yokohama, was quiet, peaceful and full of nature (the short bus trip to the Garden was also very enjoyable). Great get away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life. The view from the “Shofukuji” was magnificent. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Highly recommended!
The beauty of Yokohama hill area and a Japanese garden
KYOKO K,Jan 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were in a small group and Sayumi was so friendly to us. She was so familiar with the places we visited as she used to walk there every day during her high school days. Yokohama hill area has an exotic atmosphere viewing Yokohama port where we can see many big ships including luxury liners such as "Asuka." Yokohama Bay Bridge is shining white on the blue color sea. We had good conversations at the tea salon about different tea leaves explained by Sayumi. In addition, I'll never forget the memory of visiting the Japanese garden, Sankei Garden. The scenic garden is so spacious, and we enjoyed walking along the beautiful pond and looking at several ancient buildings, including a thatched house and a three-story pagoda. We felt like we had gone back in time. We were so lucky to see the setting sunshine on the three-pagoda in the evening.
Had a nice walk through...
Aelita G,Nov 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a nice walk through beautiful places, old buildings, historical town, rural shopping street, charming garden
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