Certified Tourist Information Centers (TICs) in Japan

Q：What is your favorite spot in Yokohama?

A： (Ms. Uehara): Minato Mirai. The night view is especially spectacular, and when I’m driving on the highway coming from the Tokyo area, cross the Bay Bridge and see the Landmark Tower area lit up at night, I think to myself, “Ahh I’m back in Yokohama.” with a feeling of relief. Yokohama is a place that you can enjoy all year round, but in winter, Yokohama Milight, Yorunoyo, and the Christmas Market are particularly impressive events that fill up the city with light that you can’t miss.

Q：What do you think are the benefits of using this tourist information center?

A： (Ms. Uehara): The daily exchange of information among the locally based staff provides the tourist information center with the latest information as well as things you would only find out by word of mouth. You can also find information that meets your individual needs such as Yokohama recommendations or how to conveniently use the local buses. In addition to the more general information, we also provide our visitors with little known facts to help them truly enjoy wherever they will be going. For example, for guests who are planning on visiting the Landmark Tower, we have information about how the elevator from The Sky Garden of the observation deck floor has the fastest descending speed in all of Japan.

Ms. Marumo(right) spent a few years in Kure, Hiroshima due to her husband's work, but otherwise has lived in Yokohama all her life. In Hiroshima, she worked as a part-time English teacher. She is passionate about her job every day, and her work at the tourist information center even led her to major in psychology at university.

Q：What do you enjoy the most about working at this tourist information center?

A： (Ms. Marumo): Having the opportunity to work together with our staff as we mutually encourage each other and come up with new ideas, figure out how we can help visitors enjoy their trip to the fullest, and then carry out everything while having fun doing so. Starting with the chance to work a job where I could experience a new world of unknowns as well as make my life richer and more colorful is another reason I love working here. In order to be able to communicate better on the job, I decided to major in psychology at university, learn sign language, and experience Kyogen (traditional Japanese comic theater) among other things.

Q：What places do you recommend that are lesser known or hard to find out about?

A： Good question. Sakuragicho Station was originally the old Yokohama Station where Japan's first railroad was built. The first steam locomotive (original engine, replica passenger car) is on display next to the station. In 2022 we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birthplace of the railroad. Please come stop by during your adventure of the area. In Yokohama, every season has something to offer, namely the flower events in the spring where different flowers bloom each month, and the Pokemon event in the summer. The 2023 Pokemon World Championship was held here. I highly recommend the food in Yokohama as well. It’s a hot spot for Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet). Some other must-try dishes are Iekei Ramen (pork bone and soy sauce ramen), shumai (steamed meat dumplings) from Kiyoken, and Gyunabe(beef hot pot) from Ohta Nawanoren, which has been in business for more than 150 years!

Q：What message would you like to give to travelers from overseas?

A： (Ms. Uehara and Ms. Marumo): Yokohama welcomes you! From the elderly to young children, people of all ages and generations will find something memorable here. Yokohama is like a theme park full of things to see and do, and by using the tourist information center, you'll be able to learn about things that you may not find on the internet. The sea breeze always provides a calming atmosphere where you can enjoy historic monuments and exciting attractions. Whatever you may need, we're here to help you on your adventure.