Classic Yokohama sightseeing spot: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse's must-eat gourmet and must-see souvenirs

Just about 40 minutes by train from Shibuya Station, the Yokohama Minatomirai area is perfect for a short trip outside of Tokyo. Speaking of the representative sightseeing spot, many people probably think of the brick-built Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The facility, which was built in the 1910s, has been operating as a cultural and commercial facility since 2002. After undergoing its first renovation ever to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its opening, it has reopened in December 2022! Upon reopening, more than 60 stores including new stores have opened in 1st Building and 2nd Building. Some of them are the very first stores in Japan and some are the stores of local Yokohama companies! From here, we will introduce the latest ways to enjoy the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, dividing the shops that the editorial department wants to focus on into two themes: "gourmet" and "souvenirs."

The biggest attraction of the reopening is that the two buildings are now packed with popular gourmet restaurants. In Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, you will be able to taste the gastronomy of Yokohama at once, from long-established Yokohama companies that represent the local area to chain stores that are very popular with tourists visiting Japan. Foodies, are your stomachs ready?

The first must-try is the Shumai from Kiyoken (崎陽軒), which was founded in 1908. In addition to the traditional Shumai from such long-established store in Yokohama that is known to all Japanese people, there is also the “Aka-Renga Shumai” that can only be eaten at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. We can expect that the unique brick-colored appearance, which uses three reds (red rice, paprika, and crab) after the red brick, will soon become a local specialty dish! In addition, "Shumai Bento" and "Nikuman" (pork steamed bun) are also popular products of the store. It seems that there are many repeat customers who come to buy them as takeout menus and as souvenirs too.

“Yokohama Tachibanatei” (横濱たちばな亭) is a long-established Western-style restaurant that opens in the food court on the 1st floor of 2nd Building, just like “Kiyoken”. In Japan, it has been featured on many TV programs and is also known as a famous restaurant. The highly recommended menu, "Western-Style Restaurant's Omelette Rice", is an irresistible combination of fluffy eggs and demi-glace sauce!

All-day dining "bills" is famous for its pancakes and is very popular with tourists visiting Japan. The “Berry Berry Hotcakes” is a limited item available exclusively at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and is made from whole wheat flour and topped with strawberries, berry butter, and Yame Matcha from Fukuoka. For pancake fans and sweet tooths, it is impossible to resist eating them!

The brand's first sweets store ever in Japan. Desserts made with seasonal ingredients and milk and dairy products provided by Japan's leading raw milk producing areas are popular. While enjoying the authentic deliciousness of milk, be sure to share the travel memories with your friends by posting on social media the "Bottle Dessert" with a beautiful fruit cross-section seen from the side.

UNI COFFEE ROASTERY, a cafe chain from Yokohama, is particular about using coffee beans grown in the highlands of Myanmar at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,800 meters. At the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse store, there are many store-exclusive food menus such as sandwiches and waffles that cannot be tasted at other stores. Have a luxurious coffee time while enjoying the view of Yokohama Port.

Since you've come to Yokohama's premier tourist spot, you'll definitely want to bring some Yokohama-ish souvenirs home. Let's get local sweets and miscellaneous goods in 1st Building and 2nd Building, which can be said to be a paradise where you can choose souvenirs as much as you want. Everyone planning a trip to Yokohama, are you ready for a shopping spree?

A select shop that curates and sells food and miscellaneous goods from all over Japan. In addition to high-quality products made in Japan, there are also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including the original "Yokohama Akarenga Beer", the craft beers made in Yokohama, Shonan, and Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, as well as sake and wine produced in the same prefecture.

What you can't miss is "Yokohama Craft Cola," which is experiencing a craft-cola-boom popularity in Japan in recent years. It's easy to drink with no additives and has a cool, sweet, and refreshing aroma.

Make sure to add these sweets with the exterior of the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse drawn on their packages to your cart. There are too many limited products that can only be found at the Red Brick Warehouse - it's hard to pick just one!

A patisserie brand born in the spring of 2021 by KAORI, a confectionery maker founded in 1949. In addition to standard flavors such as original, red bean butter, cheese, and roasted green tea, exclusive flavors such as Gianduja and three new butter sandwiches are also available at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse store. All the butter sandwiches can be purchased both individually and in gift boxes. Plus, the brand offers customized gift sets that allow you to pack your favorite flavors. They just look cute and is sure to please whoever receiving this gift.

A craft chocolate brand from Yokohama born in March 2021. Here you can find a variety of handmade bean-to-bar (*1) craft chocolates. In addition to store-exclusive packages with Red Brick Warehouse and Yokohama as motifs, art drawn by Japanese artists also decorates the packaging.

*1: A manufacturing method style in which all manufacturing processes are consistently performed from cocoa beans to chocolate.

Based on the concept of "usable artistic miscellaneous goods", this shop is perfect for finding one-of-a-kind art miscellaneous goods and accessories. All the products in the store are one-of-a-kind, such as hand-painted miscellaneous goods and stationery, and hand-crafted glass and pottery. We couldn't help but get excited by the extremely cute "Red Brick Warehouse limited product" created by young artists!

A specialty store that sells additive-free, skin-friendly skin care goods from "YOKOHAMA BAYU SHOUTEN", the Yokohama-born original brand of bayu (馬油 - horse oil). Made from 100% pure horse oil, "Extra-Natural Horse Oil Gold" is a versatile item that can be used as a moisturizing cream, hair care, and multi-purpose oil. Moreover, they are made-in-Japan products that have been awarded the Mayor of Yokohama Award!

There are many more Yokohama-esque souvenirs besides the products from the five stores introduced so far! Within 1st Building and 2nd Building, there are plenty of shops where you can enjoy shopping for souvenirs that will captivate your heart. After sightseeing at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, stop by “YOKOHAMA COSMOWORLD” and “CUPNOODLES MUSEUM YOKOHAMA” which are accessible on foot, and immerse yourself in the port town while strolling along the coast of the bay area.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (横浜赤レンガ倉庫 / Aka-Renga Soko)

• Address: 1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Access: About 6 minutes on foot from Minatomirai Line "Bashamichi Station" or "Nihon-odori Station"
• Business hours:
  [1st Building] Normal business hours 10: 00-19:00
  [2nd Building] Normal business hours 11:00-20:00
  *Please check the official website for the business hours of each store.
• https://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/