An increasingly significant Japanese destination — before and after cruising
Yokohama, with a population of 3.7 million, is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo. When people quote the population of Tokyo at 38 million, they are actually talking about “Greater Metropolitan Tokyo,” which includes Yokohama.
Two New Cruise Piers to Open in Yokohama in 2019
Japan is the #1 cruise destination in Asia, and Yokohama is the most frequently visited Japanese port for English-speaking passengers. In 2019,190 cruise ships will arrive in Yokohama, 90 of them foreign flagged; a 25% increase over 2018.
Two cruise piers — Daikoku and Shinko — will open in Yokohama in April and November 2019 respectively. While Daikoku will receive mostly freight carrying ships, it will also be open for some larger cruise ships, such as the Queen Elizabeth II.
With the opening of these two piers, in addition to the current Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, Yokohama port will be the largest in Japan in terms of capacity, able to accommodate seven ships at one time. In fact, in terms of “super large ships,” 2019 arrivals will be 11 times greater than 2018.
Shinko Pier
The five-story Shinko Pier, also known as “Yokohama Pier 9,” will be dedicated exclusively to passenger cruise ships. However, in addition to the Passenger Facilities Terminal itself, the complex will include dining, entertainment, and a hotel.
The land adjacent to the new Shinko pier terminal will be developed into Hammerhead Park and Promenade. This park will incorporate the historic Shinko Pier Hammerhead Crane, Yokohama’s first quay crane, installed in 1914. The plan is for it to become a second symbol of the city, akin to the nostalgic Red Brick Warehouse.
Soon-to-Dock Ships
Carnival Corporation, which includes the Princess and Costa brands active in Japan, will host over 80 vessels annually. Other cruise lines that will dock at Shinko include: Royal Caribbean, Windstar, MSC, Azamara, and NCL. A full ship docking schedule, subject to change, is here; 400,000 cruise ship passengers are expected annually.
April 27,2019 — Big Day for Cruise Ship Arrivals at the Port of Yokohama
On April 27,2019 four large cruise ships will dock in Yokohama on this same day, bringing as many as 10,000 passengers totaled. The following ships will dock at three piers:
Also in April 2019, the Skywalk section of the Bay Bridge will reopen during super large ship dockings at Daikoku pier.
Before or After Your Cruise
The pier flagship hotel will be a new five-star hotel to be operated by the Yokohama Grand Intercontinental. Cruise ship passengers, spending a pre-night at the port hotel will be able to check-in for their cruise at the hotel and be escorted on board. Cruise passengers can travel door-to-door between the hotel and the airport with their large suitcases using the airport limousine service.
