Port of Yokohama History Zone

The History Zone looks back at the seven periods of the about 160 years of the Port’s history. From the period of Yoshida Shinden and Yokohama village before the opening of the Port, Perry’s arrival, construction of Osanbashi Pier, the golden age of passenger ships, war and requisition, advent of container vessels to the present Port of Yokohama are all covered here.

1The Opening Days of Yokohama Port －1859－1888

Before the port opened, Kanagawa Harbor thrived as an important place for both land and sea transportation. On the other hand, Yokohama village on the opposite shore was an obscure farming and fishing village of some 100 houses. After Commodore Matthew Perry’s squadron came to Yokohama in 1854, Yokohama was selected as an international trade port by the Treaties of Amity and Commerce between Japan and foreign countries. Meanwhile, Yokohama opened its port in 1859 and started trade.

Video Exhibition "Perry Expedition"

Picture of Yokohama Kaigan-dori Street, 1870.
Cargo handling at the West Pier.
The left pier was for foreign cargo and the right pier was for domestic cargo.
The central building is a tax office (later Yokohama Customs) that conducts the customs service and diplomatic affairs.

2Construction of the Modern Port 1889－1922

In the late Meiji period, construction of the port was carried out to respond to the increasing trade volumes and growing size of ships. Osanbashi Pier and breakwaters were built under the first port construction phase (1889-94). Shinko Pier equipped with facilities such as warehouses for storing cargo and railways to transport freight was completed under the second port construction phase (1899-1905, 1906-17) and the Port of Yokohama became the most modern port in the East.

Yokohama Dock from the sea, 1899-1907.
The first dock (left) and the second dock (right) with a ship for a refit.

3The Great Kanto Earthquake and the Rise from the Devastation 1923－1940

The Port of Yokohama was heavily damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, however, as it was Japan’s most important port, the Port was restored in less than two years. In the end of the Meiji Period, reclamation started in Tsurumi and Kawasaki areas and this led to the emergence of the Keihin Industrial Belt. And then in the Showa Period, many domestic and foreign passenger liners visited the Port and Yokohama entered the golden era of passenger ships. While at the same time, the Port faced the issue of opening the port of Tokyo.

Shinko Pier and 50 ton hammerhead crane just after the Earthquake, 1923.
Within less than six years after completion, Shinko Pier was devastated by the earthquake.

4The War and Requisition　1941－1956

When the Pacific War began in 1941, regular liner services were suspended and the Port was placed under the national government’s control. In 1945, Yokohama became the target of major air raids. After losing the war, the Port and city area were requisitioned by the occupation army, which caused delay in reconstruction of Yokohama. In 1951, the port management body was transferred to the City of Yokohama from the national government.

The key commemorating the return of Shinko Pier(Center Pier), 1956.
On May 12th, the major Shinko Pier of the Port of Yokohama was derequisitioned.
The key was a gift from the Port Commander of US Forces Japan to Yokohama Mayor Hiranuma at the ceremony of return of Center Pier as a token of return.

5Rapid Economic Growth and the Port　1957－1967

During the high economic growth period, the trade volume of the Port of Yokohama rapidly increased and the Port was packed with cargo ships. While at the same time, large-scale reclamation was carried out to build a costal industrial zone. The passenger liner routes, which were suspended by the war, were resumed by American and British passenger lines and the brilliance returned to the Port.

Full view of the Port of Yokohama, 1963.
Many ships anchored in the Port to wait for a berth and offshore stevedoring.

6Advent of Container Vessels 1968-1999

Container vessels, which appeared in 1960s, globally became the leading role in maritime transport and the Port of Yokohama underwent changes in line with container ships. Meanwhile, the waterfront area was being used by urban development of Yokohama. As for passenger ships, cruise ships started calling instead of regular liners.

Welcome ceremony for the first visit of a full-container ship SAN JUAN to the Port of Yokohama, 1968.
The arrival of the San Juan heralded the advent of the container period.

Hands-on simulator of loading and unloading containers by operating a gantry crane.

7Port of Yokohama in modern times　2000－

Diamond Princess cruise ship model.
A British-registered cruise ship.The ship began Yokohama roundtrip in 2014.

Port of Yokohama Rediscover Zone

VR theater: It introduces history of the sail training ship NIPPON MARU and schemes and roles of the Port of Yokohama through exhibits of “Minato Capsule”, ”Sail Training Ship NIPPON MARU and seafarer training”, “Port Square” and “The Port of Yokohama linked to the world”.

VR Theater “Minato Capsule”

The theater where visitors can experience history and a full-sail exhibition of the sail training ship NIPPON MARU and scenery of sightseeing spots in yokohama with five LED panel video.

You can enjoy feeling as if you are actually in the video.

Sail training ship NIPPON MARU and seafarer training

This corner introduces history of the nationally designated important cultural heritage sail training ship NIPPON MARU, which was built in 1930 and brought up about 11,500 cadets, and present seafarer training.

Signatures for petition aimed at preserving the sail training ship NIPPON MARU in Yokohama
A part of 830,000 signatures for inviting the sail training ship NIPPON MARU to Yokohama, 1982.

Simulator to experience small ship maneuvering through reproduction of the Port of Yokohama

Technologies and history of reclamation and port construction

This corner introduces history of reclamation and port construction, which was a foundation of the development of Yokohama, from shinden development before opening of the port to the construction of the latest Shin-Honmoku Pier on the viewpoint of reclamation technology of each period.

Changing of reclamation from the Edo period to the present is introduced by projection mapping.

Port Square

Recent initiatives by the Port of Yokohama, including a supply chain and carbon neutral are introduced through a video.

Let’s learn the latest Port’s initiatives through the video.

The Port of Yokohama linked to the world

The corner introduces exchanges with sister ports, friendship ports and a trade corporation port and commemorative gifts to the Port of Yokohama are also exhibited.

The corner introduces the Port of Yokohama linked to the world.