Minato Mirai 21 — the name means "harbour of the future" — is Yokohama's modern waterfront district, developed from the 1980s on reclaimed land between the old port and the city centre. It is dominated by the 296-metre Landmark Tower, which was Japan's tallest building for many years; the Sky Garden observation deck on the 69th floor offers a sweeping panorama that, on a clear day, extends to Mount Fuji and across the entire Kanto plain.
At ground level, the district is a pleasant mix of plazas, shopping centres (Yokohama World Porters and Queen's Square), the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, and the Yokohama Museum of Art, which holds a strong collection of modern and contemporary Japanese and Western work. The Nippon Maru Memorial Park, surrounding a beautifully preserved 1930 sailing training ship, adds a maritime note alongside the slick modernity.
The Red Brick Warehouse (Aka Renga) on the district's northern edge is the most atmospheric spot: two Victorian-era brick warehouses converted into boutique shops, restaurants, and a small events space, with a terrace looking directly onto the water. On weekend evenings the whole district fills with young Yokohama residents and visitors from Tokyo, and the atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming.