The Kannai and Minato Mirai districts and their surroundings are an area with a truly complex context in which districts of diverse character, historical circumstances and urban policies intermingle.
By comparing it with other Asian cities with waterfronts and using the 50-item survey data as parameters, we identified five urban qualities: cosmopolitan, creativity, gateway to Japan, waterfront landscape, and communication system.
This is Yokohama's tourism potential, the notable issues (or main argument).
Five urban elements
1. Cosmopolitan
Diverse histories and cultures are mixed together, as in Minato Mirai, Noge, Kannai, Isezakicho, Chinatown and Kotobukicho, and pedestrian paths at right angles to the coastline and multiple railways parallel to the coastline connect the entire district.
2. Creativity
Diverse creative facilities such as historic buildings and offices for artists form creative districts along axes at right angles to the coastline on Nihon Odori and Bashamichi.
3. Gateway to Japan
Yokohama has a history as a gateway for foreign tourists and culture. Many commercial and dining facilities related to the tourist industry as well as historic resources that entered Japan through Yokohama in the past exist here.
4. Waterfront landscape
Inland axes and vista points that are visually continuous with the waterfront are scattered here. Commercial facilities, public facilities and cultural facilities coexist, creating diverse scenes in the waterfront landscape.
5. Communication system and technology
Yokohama has great potential as a foundation for communication systems and technology. There are diverse support systems that can make full use of commercial facilities and convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day and the interstices between buildings (sleeping potential).
