Yokohama
About Yokohama
Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is situated on a peninsula facing the western coast of Tokyo Bay and lies a mere 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Its land area is 437.35 square kilometers.
Towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867), during which Japan maintained a policy of self-isolation, Yokohama's port was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1859 and ever since has played a major role a window to the world. Consequently, Yokohama quickly grew from a small fishing village into one of Japan's major cities.
Japan's first Western style hotel and restaurant were opened in Yokohama, and this city was also the site of Japan's first coffee shop and bakery as well as its first modern waterworks and railroads. Yokohama, built on its rich heritage of enterprising endeavor, has become a truly international city and Japan's largest international trading port.
More foreign vessels enter the port of Yokohama and more exports leave its Japan. Since 1969, the dollar amount of trade passing through the port of Yokohama has been the largest in Japan.
Weather
Yokohama enjoys a relatively mild climate. Summer tends to be hot and humid, with some days exceeding 300 C (860 F), although temperatures are cooler during the July rainy season. The temperature in Yokohama during winter ranges in highs from 5ﾟ C to 10ﾟ C (41ﾟ to 50ﾟ F) with only the occasional snowfall. Fall and spring are the best seasons in Yokohama, with seasonable weather (around 15 to 20ﾟ C or 59ﾟ F to 68ﾟ F), little rainfall, and beautiful spring and fall foliage.
Demography
As of April 1, 2009, Yokohama has a total population of 3,659,010 where 1,836,826 are male and 1,822,184 are female, thus qualifying it as Japan's second largest city. Its density per square kilometer is 8,412.
Yokohama’s foreign population as of March 2009 is 78,757 which include Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos and Brazilians.
Economy and Culture
The most important feature of Yokohama is its role as a port city, which has led to bustling activity in the fields of trade, commerce, marine transportation and shipbuilding. Its residents rate among Japan's most affluent, and Yokohama ranks top among Japan's six largest cities in terms of real income per household and second in terms of consumer spending, just behind Tokyo and far ahead of the others.
Administrative Divisions
Yokohama has 18 wards (ku):
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