"Where Are the Beautiful Photos Taken for Pre-Weddings in Yokohama Minato Mirai? A Guide with Maps"

Date Spots, Minato Mirai ♡

One of Kanto's Premier Date Spots, Minato Mirai ♡

The beautifully lined red brick warehouses and the breezy Yamashita Park along the waterfront create a city packed with attractions, including an amusement park (Cosmo World).

Recently, the Kahala Hotel and Air Cabin (ropeway!) have been added, making it a never-boring area to visit no matter how many times you go. ♡

Among those reading this article on marry,

there are surely many who have stories such as,

"I was confessed to when I visited Minato Mirai"

or "It's a meaningful city where we often dated." ♡

Minato Mirai in Yokohama is also a hugely popular location for photoshoots. The stylish cityscape reminiscent of overseas features historical buildings, and at night, the Ferris wheel and Landmark Tower are brilliantly lit up, creating a sparkling ambiance.

You can capture a variety of photos from chic, fun, to romantic vibes. ♡

In this article, I will introduce popular photo spots around Yokohama Minato Mirai with Google Maps links for your reference for pre-wedding or post-wedding shoots. ♩

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ① Yokohama Customs

If you're not aware, you might think, "Is this Hawaii...?" This stylish location is actually Yokohama Customs.

Customs and banks feature a grand architectural style that makes them look elegant.

This is what Yokohama Customs looks like from afar.

The tower is known as the "Queen's Tower," and together with the "King's Tower" of Kanagawa Prefectural Office and the "Jack's Tower" of the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, they are collectively referred to as the symbols of Yokohama Port, known as the "Yokohama Three Towers." ♡

(It’s also depicted at the Oosanbashi Pier!)

The night illumination is beautiful too! ♡

➡ Click here to view the location of Yokohama Customs on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ② Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall

Constructed in 1917 (amazing, in the 6th year of Taisho!), the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall is one of Yokohama's representative buildings. (It’s the Jack’s Tower! ♡) It reminds one of London's clock tower, Big Ben. ＊

This brick building is picturesque from any angle.

It has a similar atmosphere to the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum located in Marunouchi, Tokyo.

Inside, there’s a circular iron frame

staircase.

There are stained glass artworks depicting Yokohama Port, among others. ＊

Permission is required for photography, and reservations can be made by phone starting one month prior to the desired date. It's a popular spot with limited bookings per day, so if you have a specific date in mind, be sure to reserve early. ♡

➡ About photography at Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall

➡ Click here to view the location of Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ③ Kanagawa Prefectural Office

The Kanagawa Prefectural Office, featuring the "King's Tower," was completed in 1928 and is designated as an important cultural property by the national government. ＊

The flower bed in front blooms with seasonal plants, providing a beautiful setting that resembles a flower garden.

In spring, the tulips bloom splendidly. ♡

You can capture greenery-filled photos on "Nihon Odori" in front of the Kanagawa Prefectural Office. ＊

➡ Click here to view the location of Kanagawa Prefectural Office on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ④ Oosanbashi Pier

You can’t miss Oosanbashi Pier when having a photoshoot in Yokohama. The Oosanbashi Pier, with the Yokohama Three Towers depicted, is famous for shots taken from above. ♡

Getting shots on the stairs also provides a spacious feel, which is nice.

If a ship is docked at Oosanbashi, it’s a lucky break. If you have a hope to "definitely take a photo with a ship!" check the schedule for docked ships on the Yokohama City website, and plan your pre-wedding shoot for the day a ship is entering. ＊

➡ Click here to check the 2021 schedule for cruise ships entering Yokohama Port

From the pier, you can see the red brick warehouses and the Cosmo World Ferris wheel.

As the sun sets, the illumination lights up, so it’s recommended to shoot in two patterns, during the day and at night.

When it gets completely dark, you can capture photos like this. ♡

➡ Click here to view the location of Oosanbashi Pier on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑤ Red Brick Warehouse

When it comes to date spots in Yokohama, everyone unanimously mentions the Red Brick Warehouse. Its brick exterior is elegant from any angle.

Whether up close or from a distance, it looks beautiful. ♩

Capture the feel of a date while walking together. ♡

During the holiday season, a large Christmas tree is decorated, and a Christmas market is held. It might be nice to plan your shoot around this time. ♡

➡ Click here for the Google Maps of the Red Brick Warehouse

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑥ Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of History

Located on the corner of an intersection like Wako in Ginza, the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of History.

The old building was constructed in 1904 (37th year of the Meiji era) as the head office of Yokohama Shokin Bank, designated as an important cultural asset and historical site. ＊

Please take care not to confuse it with "Yokohama City History Museum". (The correct name is Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of History.) It is located in Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is far from Minato Mirai.

➡ Click here to view the location of Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of History on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑦ Tokyo University of the Arts (Yokohama Campus)

The Tokyo University of the Arts Yokohama Campus, located in front of Bashamichi Station, features stone buildings. It was once the Fujibank and is now a historically designated building by the city of Yokohama.

It looks good whether taken from a distance or up close. You can capture similar photos to Marunouchi's pre-wedding shoots, but since this place is less mainstream compared to Marunouchi, it may be a hidden gem.

➡ Click here to view the location of Tokyo University of the Arts on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑧ Former Yokohama Bank Main Office Annex

Built in 1929 (the 4th year of Showa) as the Yokohama branch of Dai-ichi Bank, this building features Tuscan-style columns and a semicircular balcony, designated as a historical building by the city of Yokohama.

It is currently being used as the low-rise part of the 119m tall "Yokohama Island Tower" office building. ＊ It's somewhat reminiscent of a Kabukiza.

➡ Click here to view the location of the Former Yokohama Bank Main Office Annex on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑨ Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park is a refreshing park where you can view Yokohama's Bay Bridge. The amazing views are, of course, a highlight, and you can capture photos with flowers of the season, which is also appealing. The roses in spring are particularly stunning. ♡

It’s nice to have minimal movement from the city center and still be able to take photos in a park like this. ♡

Taking pictures in front of the fountain "Water Guardian" is also popular. ♡

➡ Click here to view the location of Yamashita Park on Google Maps

@yukinaaan_718

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑩ Elephant Nose Park

Located near the Red Brick Warehouse and Oosanbashi, Elephant Nose Park is a spacious park and a popular spot for picnicking. ♡

It is the only place where you can capture ships docked from a direct front view. Isn't this photo amazing?

At night, the illumination of the red bricks looks beautiful. ♡

➡ Click here to view the location of Elephant Nose Park on Google Maps

@locomai_wd1008

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑪ Motomachi Park

If you move from Minato Mirai, it’s a bit further beyond Chinatown, but Motomachi Park is also a popular spot for location photos. Cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in the park, making it perfect for spring shoots. ♡

The park features stylish Western-style buildings, including the ruins of Gerard’s Water Mansion, Yamate No.80 House, Yamate No.234 Residence, Erismann House, and Berick Hall.

It’s great for pre-wedding shoots in wedding dresses, but shooting in traditional garments in a calm atmosphere is also recommended.

Yokohama has numerous parks, but I think this is one park where you can take a variety of photos. ♩

➡ Click here to view the location of Motomachi Park on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑫ Canal Park / Kisha Road

From Canal Park in front of World Porters towards Kisha Road. Kisha Road is a 500m long promenade that was opened in 1911. ＊

✅ Cosmo World Ferris Wheel

✅ Aniversaire Minato Mirai

✅ Air Cabin Ropeway

All can be seen from here. ♡

Photos against the night Aniversaire Minato Mirai make for a wonderful backdrop. ＊

➡ Click here to view the location of Canal Park on Google Maps

@misa1007.wedding

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑬ BLUE BLUE YOKOHAMA

Located very close to Oosanbashi, BLUE BLUE YOKOHAMA is a stylish shop centered around denim.

The walls decorated at the shop create a Yokohama vibe which makes it a popular photo spot! ♡

You can capture refreshing scenes here. ♡

➡ Click here for the website of BLUE BLUE YOKOHAMA

➡ Click here to view the location of BLUE BLUE YOKOHAMA on Google Maps

Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spot ⑭ Yokohama Chinatown

Finally, I would like to introduce Yokohama Chinatown. ♡ Here, you can create unique and distinctive photos that differ from ordinary pre-wedding shoots.

It looks like a fun shoot while enjoying walking around and tasting food! ♡

The night scenery of Chinatown looks cinematic.

➡ Click here to view the location of Yokohama Chinatown on Google Maps

Summary of Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Spots ＊

Displaying the introduced locations on Google Maps reveals their relationship to each other.

Chinatown and Motomachi Park are a bit distant (about 10 minutes by car from Bashamichi Station and about 30 minutes by foot), so keep that in mind.

If you plan to visit all the spots in a day, you could shoot from the Red Brick Warehouse to Canal Park, through Kisha Road to the Former Yokohama Bank Main Office Annex at Sakuragicho, then continue to Elephant Nose Park, and walk to take photos at Oosanbashi and Yamashita Park. After that, take a taxi to Motomachi Park (it takes about 15 minutes from Yamashita Park to Motomachi Park). I thought it would be good to shoot in Chinatown around evening and return to Oosanbashi Pier once more as the illuminations light up. ＊

I have compiled a list of all the locations on Google Maps for your use. ♡

➡【Google Maps】List of Minato Mirai Pre-Wedding Photo Spots here ♡

Check out these related articles too! ♡

➡ A comprehensive guide to "Marunouchi Pre-Wedding" recommended spots by a former Marunouchi office worker【with MAP】

➡ Locations in Tokyo for Location Photos besides Marunouchi【11 spots】

➡ No matter where you go, stunning views. Introducing beautiful cuts from location photos in Hokkaido ♡

➡ List of location photo articles＊