Honmoku Negishi
Honmoku was a fishing village between valleys, living on fishing and cultivating seaweeds, until before the 1960s. There were beautiful beaches along the shore. Many people visited those beaches to swim or catch clams. In the 1960s, the water off the beaches were reclaimed,and storage tanks of oil refinary plant,a shipyard,large container piers and warehouses stand now.
When the U.S.military forces occupied a large part of Yokohama central area, they also occupied a large part of the town and built large housing area for naval officers. There were houses, theathers, a commisary and restaurants for the officers and their families on both sides of Honmoku Main Street. There were also restaurants, bars, shops near the street, run by Japanese for them. The town looked like Little America. That was the atmosphere of Honmoku. However, in 1982, the area was returned to Japan except housing area in Negishi. Now the area has been transformed to housing complex, shopping malls and parks. It is difficult now to imagine there was a little America there.
There are a fishing park,Honmoku Citzen Park and Sankeien Garden. Many people visit Honmoku throughout year. In summer, there is a summer shinto festival practiced for more than 440 years and residents in the town carry portable shrines across the streets. You can take a glimpse over how people spend their summer in a traditional way.
In Negishi, there is Negishi Shinrin Park, where was the horse race track and now a large park with turf and woods. It is a good place to spend a day with lunch boxes and a ground sheet if weather is nice. Many people visit there, especially, during the season of cherry blossoms in April.
The access to both Honmoku and Negishi:
To Honmoku, take bus from Motomachi-Chukagai Station of the Minato Mirai
Line or Ishikwas-cho Station of the JR Line; To Negishi Shinrin Park, take bus from either Negishi Station or
Sakuragi-cho Station of the JR Line.
Map of Honmoku
View Honmoku in a larger map
Places to visit
[Sankeien Garden]
Sankeien Garden is one of famous places nationwide as a beautiful garden of 175,000 m3 with a large pond and wooden buildings designated as national cultural assets. Many people visit the garden throughout the year.
The garden was built on a vast area of valleys facing a beach in Honmoku by a wealthy silk trader Mr. Sankei Hara. He gathered old buildings like a Pagoda, thatched roof house, etc. from Kyoto and Kamakura, and opened it to public in 1906. Ten buildings out of them are national designated important cultural assets. Unfortunately, the beach was reclaimed about five decades ago to expand the hinterland for Port. However, the beauty and the tranquility of the garden have not been lost. You will be surprised that such a still place exists in the city area. The garden has a thatched roof house and you can see how people lived more than 100 years ago. If you come to visit Yokohama, I encourage you to visit Sankeien Garden.
Address:58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-Ward, YokohamaPhone:045-621-0634
Website http://www.sankeien.or.jp
Hours: 9a.m to 5p.m( Ticket booth closes at 4:30p.m)
Closed on December 29th, 30th and 31st
Admission: 500yen for adults
[Negishi Shinrin Park]
Negishi Shinrin Park is a huge open field of 181,339m3 and a perfect place to do catch-balls, jogging, taking a nap on grass, walking with dogs etc. The park was built as a horse race track first time in Japan. It was occupied by the U.S.Navy in 1945 as a golf course for naval officers. Since it was returned to Japan in the 1970, it has been opened to public as a park now.
From Yamate Bluff, it is just a 40 minute-walk. It is a perfect walking route with many places to see on the way. There are many trees of cherry and plum in the park. Visitors visit the park throughout year. However, many visitors visit the park during the seasons when those blossoms are in bloom. Having a lunch in sunny and warm day with nice plum scent or views of cherry blossoms is gorgeous.
Access to Negishi Shinrin ParkFrom JR.Negishi Station
Bus #21 bound for Sakuragi-cho Station or #103 bound for Yokohama Station and get off at Takinoue bus stop.
Fare:210 yen for adult. 110 yen for child(15 years old or younger)
Parking lots : Yes
During the Sakura season especially on weekends, parking lots get full.
Using public transportation,especially, during the season is recommended.