Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse first caught our interest through Bungo Stray Dogs, the anime set in Yokohama, a city home to one of Japan’s first ports opened to foreign trade in 1859.
The Red Brick Warehouse itself, once a customs house, is now a historical landmark repurposed as a shopping center with various stores and cafes, as well as a venue for exciting events throughout the year.
The site has two buildings with different opening hours. The first building is open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm, while the second building is open from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm.
For couples with an interest in history and culture, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse offers a romantic ambiance with a unique charm. It’s filled with shops to explore, cafes with sweet, cute desserts to savor, and restaurants for dining. At night, you can enjoy a romantic stroll along Yokohama Bay, illuminated by warm white lights.
Here is a complete guide for an unforgettable date night at the Red Brick Warehouse of Yokohama.
Access & Where to Stay Near Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Image Source: Icotto
Most of us stay in Tokyo when visiting Japan. From Tokyo, you can reach Yokohama from Shibuya via the Tokyu Toyoko Line to the closest stations near Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Bashamichi and Nihon-Odori on the Minatomirai Line. These stations are only a 6-minute walk from the warehouse.
If you have more time, we highly recommend staying in Yokohama for at least 3 days, as the city is also worth exploring and offers many spots for couples that find romanticism in history.
There are several accommodations near Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse we would like to recommend. The nearest 3-star hotel perfect for couples are Yokohama Manyo Club and Navios Yokohama. Especially Yokohama Manyo, has scenic spots featuring illuminated Ferris Wheel in Yokohama Cosmo World at night and beautiful views of Yokohama Bay.
🛎️ More accommodations in Yokohama here!
Image Source: Yakei.jp
These accommodations are also close to other venues and tourist sites worth visiting together, such as Yokohama Cosmo World and Nogeyama Zoological Gardens.
A casual walk in the Yamatecho area offers another romantic date idea in the city, including 📍 Harbor View Park Observatory, British House, and interesting museums like the Foreign Cemetery and Museum of Modern Literature. There are even more sophisticated and intellectually engaging date spots in Yokohama that we wish to cover.
Romantic Date Night in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Image Source: Japan Travel
As part of our romantic historical rendezvous, you might also want to warm up the date by visiting the 📍 Japan Coast Guard Museum Yokohama, which is in the same complex as the warehouse. It closes at 5.00 pm, and the museum isn’t too large to explore. You can check out the North Korean spy ship that exploded and sank in Kyushu, which is now displayed in this museum.
Then, we could continue to the main date location, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, passing by the Remains of the Center Office of Customs House Annex and Akarenga Park.
You’ll want to visit the first building (the smaller one) first, as it closes earlier than the second building. This building mainly features Yokohama souvenirs, such as handcrafted glass, warehouse goods, silk products, and pottery.
The second and larger building has more trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you’re a Disney fan, there’s a 📍 Disney Harvest Market by Cafe Company on the 3rd floor, which sells Disney merchandise and includes a Disney-themed cafe.
The culinary options in the warehouse are dominated by Western cuisine, from Italian to Spanish restaurants, along with typical Western desserts. After all, as a Japanese historical landmark, it’s a place where locals go to experience foreign cultures and lifestyles, reciting the historical background of the site too.
Image Source: Iko-yo
There are also some stylish stores and great jewelry shops here if you’d like to buy your partner accessories or other reminder gifts for the occasion.
Overall, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is like a mall, a go-to date spot for couples. What makes this warehouse special is how the original buildings are preserved. With its iconic red brick, lower ceilings, and narrow alleys inside, it is warm, cozy, and intimate in a way.
As the main buildings all close around 8:00 pm, the port area around the warehouse is worth exploring in the evening. It would be romantic to walk to the 📍 Three Towers Viewpoint, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yokohama.
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, cross the Shinko Bridge, a 5-minute walk to 📍 Zou-no-hana Park, known for its luminous modern lighting in the evening.
Seasonal Outdoor Special Events in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Image Source: Time Out
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse has spacious outdoor grounds where special events held throughout the year. There are music concerts during the summer, October Beer Fest in the fall, and how it only gets more romantic with a skating rink and Christmas night market in winter.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse offers an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and romance, making it a perfect place for a date night. With its cozy ambiance, unique shops, and variety of dining options, there’s something here to spark moments of connection and discovery.
As evening falls, the warm lights and scenic views along Yokohama Bay create a magical atmosphere, inviting couples to explore and savor each other’s company.