Getting to Minatomirai (Yokohama) from Tokyo

My good friend told me that a trip to Tokyo wouldn't be complete without going on a day-trip to a different place, like Mt. Fuji, Hakone village or Yokohama. 

I was supposed to visit  Mt. Fuji and Hakone village. I was already eyeing an amazing Klook deal which featured a day trip around the majestic mountain, followed by cultural immersion in Hakone, and shopping in Gotemba premium outlets. But I had to forgo these plans, because of the low visibility in Mt. Fuji. 

I was travelling during typhoon season, which fell during the summer. Normally, you'd expect skies to be a bit clearer during this time. But in Japan, summer time also meant that there is only a 5-10 % visibility of Mt. Fuji. You can also check the visibility of the mountain with its real-time visibility cam. 

Instead, I decided to schedule a day trip to Yokohama, which was 36 km away from Tokyo. In my Yokohama day-trip, I planned to visit the famous Nissin's Cup Noodles Museum and Chinatown.

I had two options to get to Yokohama: take a bus or take the train. I chose the latter because I was more familiar with the train routes in Japan. I was a bit nervous though, because I was going to a far place and I only had Google Maps as a guide. 

Japanese commuters on their way to work. 

When I did my research, I found out that my first stop, the Cup Noodles Museum (Yokohama), was closer to Minatomirai Station than Yokohama station. The distance from the museum and Yokohama is about 1 km, as opposed to the museum's accessibility by walking from Minatomirai Station. 

Even though I got confused at first (even while I was on the train), Minatomirai is still part of Yokohama. Actually, it is just one stop away from Yokohama Station. 

This is how I got from JR Sugamo Station to Minatomirai Station:

1. From JR Sugamo Station: Take the Yamanote Line Local towards For Ikebukuro / Shinjuku (Counter-Clockwise)

2. Get down at Shibuya Station

3. From Shibuya Station: Transfer to Tokyu-Toyoko Line Express towards Motomachi-Chukagai

4, Important: Stay inside the train until you reach Minatomirai station. 

5. Get down at Minatomirai Station

This one-way trip cost me about 650 Yen (~6 USD). 

This is where I got down.

Before setting out for the Cup Noodles Museum, I decided to grab a bite at a nearby bakery in Queen's Square, a mall attached to Minatomirai station. 

Queen's Square Mall at 11 am. There was some sort of a laidback vibe among the mallgoers, as compared to the hectic vibe in Tokyo malls. 

I ordered some french onion bread inside a European-Japanese fusion bakery. They were also serving croissants with sweet filling, matcha treats, gourmet jams, and full course meals.

The French Onion bread was tasty and light on the stomach. I got this for about 200 Yen (~2 USD). 

As I went outside, I was so surprised to see that the skies were clearer and the sun was occasionally visible throughout my entire stay there. 

I was so excited to get started. 

Walking from the train station to Cup Noodles Museum. 

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