Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Kanagawa

Two brick warehouses built by the state in the Meiji and Taisho eras, now a waterfront home for shops and events, with seasonal events worth coming back for.

Red Brick Warehouse Building No. 1 lit up at night with Yokohama Bay Bridge in the distance — Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brick-walled open corridor along the side of Building No. 2 with Minato Mirai towers beyond — Photo: Kanchi1979, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

State bonded warehouses more than 100 years old

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a pair of brick buildings standing side by side facing Yokohama Port. Building No. 2 was completed in 1911 (Meiji 44) and Building No. 1 in 1913 (Taisho 2). They were originally built as state bonded warehouses (warehouses where imported goods are stored temporarily before duty is paid).

They were designed by a department of the Ministry of Finance led by Tsumaki Yorinaka, one of the leading architects of the Meiji era. In the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, about half of Building No. 1 was destroyed. After the Second World War the buildings were used as the US military's port headquarters, and they stopped being used as warehouses in 1989.

Shops, art and harbour views

In 2002 they were reborn as a cultural and commercial complex. Building No. 2 houses shops, cafés and restaurants, so you can hunt for souvenirs or have a meal. Building No. 1 is a venue for all kinds of creative work, including dance, theatre, music and art.

In front of the buildings are an event square and Red Brick Park. Entry to the complex is free.

Seasonal events

Events are held in the square all year round. In autumn there is the beer festival Yokohama Oktoberfest (18 September to 4 October in 2026), and in winter a Christmas market (20 November to 25 December in 2026). Some years an ice rink also appears in winter.

Getting there

It is about a 6-minute walk from Bashamichi Station or Nihon-Odori Station on the Minatomirai Line. From Sakuragicho Station (JR and municipal subway) it takes about 15 minutes along a promenade called Kishamichi, and it is also about 15 minutes from JR Kannai Station.

Tips

While events are on, some of them charge admission to the event area. Check the details and dates on the events page of the official website.
Shop opening hours differ between Building No. 1 and Building No. 2, and from shop to shop. Check the official website.
Inside there is a tax-free counter where you can complete the tax-free paperwork for purchases from several shops in one go (some shops are excluded).