Yokohama Akarenga Soko (also known as the Yokohama Redbrick Warehouses) are two historic buildings overlooking Yokohama Bay that have been repurposed as a commercial and cultural center. Originally used as customs houses, warehouse number 1 was built in 1913, and warehouse number 2 was built in 1911.
Approaching the Yokohama Redbrick Warehouses
The two buildings were completely renovated and opened to the public in 2002 and are now one of Yokohama’s most popular attractions.
Inside the shopping area in Warehouse 1
Yokohama Redbrick Warehouse 1
The first building is mainly used as a cultural facility. There is a large hall on the 3rd floor with seating for 300 people which can be used for concerts, dance performances, film shows and dramatic productions, and can also be rented for parties. There are also several spaces on the 2nd floor which are used for a variety of art exhibitions and smaller events. On the 1st floor there is a café and some unique gift and souvenir shops selling a range of artisanal products including perfume, scarves, honey, sweets, blown glassware, organic skincare products and moss terrariums.
A shopping area inside Warehouse 2
Yokohama Redbrick Warehouse 2
The second building is a shopping mall a mixture of shops and smaller cafes and food stalls on the 1st floor, a shopping arcade on the 2nd floor and larger restaurants on the 3rd floor. On the Ist floor there are shops selling perfume, leather goods, craft chocolates, jewelry, art materials and hats. There are also restaurants and food stalls selling Hawaiian waffles, rotisserie chicken, Korean cuisine and gourmet hamburgers.
Granny Smith Apple Pie & Coffee on the 1st floor of Warehouse 2
The 2nd floor has stores selling music boxes, wood crafts, silver accessories, stationery, vintage clothing, traditional hair accessories, Venetian glassware and souvenir sweets. While the 3rd floor has restaurants serving Chicago pizzas, hamburgers, and pasta dishes as well as a Disney café and gift shop.
Yokohama Redbrick Warehouses – Yokohama Akarenga Soko
Events
The outdoor area between the two buildings also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as an artificial beach with Thai food stalls in the summer, a German-style Oktoberfest beer festival in the autumn, and skating on an ice rink in the winter. Outdoor markets are also sometimes held in this area.
Location
The closest station to Akarenga Soko is Bashamichi Station on the Minatomirai Line, which is a 9-minute walk away. Kannai Station and Sakuragicho Station , which are both on the JR Negishi Line and the Subway Blue Line, are about a 15-minute walk away. Here is a map showing the location.
Opening Hours
Warehouse 1: 10.00 – 19.00
Warehouse 2: 11.00 – 20.00
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
