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Today's Adventure - We're On Our Own

Yokohama - Our Anniversary Trip
Papa and Nana had successfully passed our first week's "train" training and orientation exercises.

Today, we head out on our own, to Yokohama for a night, celebrating our 38th Anniversary.

It's another hot and humid day. We started out early, donning our backpacks, and boarding the train at Jimmuji (KK-52) and heading for Yokohama.
 

Yokohama
Yokohama is one of the largest cities in Japan.

As with most large cities, a lot of the action takes place above or below ground.
Trains and subways often share large transportation stations. Some stations are very complex with multiple levels, lines, and platforms. Getting to the right place takes a map or diagram.

These posters in the subway station, illustrate why Yokohama was an attractive choice for our first "On Our Own" get away for our Anniversary. Yokohama is not too far away, and has much to offer.

Our hotel is in the lineup.

This Piano player is playing in a train / subway station.

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Escalators
The use of escalators, some very large, helps to move large numbers of people very effectively. Some are many stories tall/long.

This one is coming from deep underground up towards the street in Yokohama.

One of the practices of people is to stand on one side (usually the left), allowing those who may be in an extra hurry, to get by everyone else. Stairways share similar courtesies.

This large escalator inside a shopping center goes many levels.

Street level. Back into the heat.

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Yokohama Bay Hotel
The inside of the lobby at the Yokohama Bay Hotel was spectacular.

We were able to drop our backpacks at the hotel, before heading out to see the city.

The front entrance to our hotel, the Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu.

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Cold Beer
It was SO hot and humid. We had walked a LOT.

Several unsuccessful attempts to find a way to get over the Yokohama Bridge (including a crazy aborted taxi ride) to see more fireboats failed miserably. We were dehydrated and VERY thirsty.

A cold beer definitely helped replace some fluids and helped put the focus on other, more Anniversary type things.

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This is Your Sign
Today is your day! Actually, tomorrow is our official day. But close enough.

There were a number of interesting signs in English.

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Japan Coast Guard - Fireboat "Hiryu"
The Japan Coast Guard has a major facility in Yokohama.

Part of the fleet of ships, is this large Firefighting vessel, the "HIRYU" with designation FL-01. It is docked near Pier 8.

This is the first fireboat I photographed in Japan. 

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Exploring the Area
Our Hotel is on the right, overlooking the harbor and much more.

We did a lot of walking, early in the day, and again later. The entire area had so much to offer.

The Yokohama Landmark Tower
The Yokohama Landmark Tower is the tallest building in Yokohama (972 feet).
It's the 3rd tallest building in Japan.
The top third (49-60 floors) is a hotel, while lower 48 floors are offices and shops.

Yokohama Landmark Tower is impressive.

The retired "Nippon Maru" former training ship is on display near the Landmark Tower.

Nippon Maru Memorial Park
The old Japanese training tall ship "Nippon Maru" is preserved at the Memorial Park.

Cosmo World
Cosmo World is an amusement park across from the hotel. It has a huge Ferris wheel and Clock, roller coaster, and more. Looks like a fun place.

Cosmo World from our hotel room.

The huge Ferris Wheel is 369 feet tall. It has 60 passenger cars, resembling 60 seconds on a clock.
In the middle, is a large digital clock. The wheel makes a single turn every 15 minutes.

After dark, the wheel puts on a spectacular light show every few minutes.

Some of the buildings are designed to allow views of other buildings.

Yokohama Marine Tower
The Yokohama Marine Tower is not far from the hotel. It stands about 348' high with an observation deck overlooking the bay. I bet the view is great. We didn't get up there.

Another ship on display.

Training Ship "Kaiwo Maru"
The current Japanese National Institute of Sea Training ship, a 4 masted Barque tall ship "Kaiwo Maru" was tied up at Pier 8 at in Yokohama. An impressive vessel.

The InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel
The InterContinental Yokohama Grand Hotel is next our hotel. Like so many buildings in Japan, it has a beautiful design and is just fun to look at.

The "Kaiwo Maru" from our hotel room.

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Our Evening Walk
We decided to head out for a walk after it had cooled off a little.
There are so many interesting things to see close by in Yokohama.

An old dry dock turned into a place for concerts and other gatherings.

Some of the Yokohama Police cars.
 

A mini-amusement park for the younger audience.

Many of the fire hydrants in Japan are below grade. They are often marked by some beautiful manhole covers that also promote the city or something meaningful.

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Our Anniversary Dinner in Yokohama
Anniversary Dinner. An impressive assortment of sushi prepared right in front of us.
"Oishi!"  Delicious!

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Nightfall in Yokohama
Yokohama definitely comes alive at night. The Ferris wheel continues to put on a beautiful light show visible from all over. Fun to watch!

Yokohama Bay hotel Tokyu.

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Yokohama Ferris Wheel Lightshow

Yokohama at night from the Yokohama Bay Hotel. Not bad!
 

GOOD NIGHT YOKOHAMA!


 

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Morning in Yokohama
A beautiful early morning sunrise over the Yokohama Bridge from our hotel. Happy Anniversary!
 

Getting to those Fireboats
We checked out of our hotel wearing our backpacks. It's another very hot and humid day. Our goal is to get to those Fireboats we know are out on that island in Yokohama harbor. Hopefully we do better than yesterday.

We board the train for a few stops, and then transfer to a bus.

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Yokohama Fireboat
We made it to the Yokohama Fireboat.

Yokohama Tsurumi Fire Station
It took a little doing. A train ride. A bus ride. A fairly long walk, with backpacks, in the heat and humidity. We made it!

The Yokohama Tsurumi Fire Station is on an island, near where the Yokohama Bridge passes over. We actually came in from the opposite direction.

The crew at the station were drilling, in the water, when we arrived. They gave us a great tour of the Fireboat "Yokohama" allowing us to see inside and out. The second boat, ordinarily station, was out for maintenance that day.

Apparatus at the station includes an Engine and a Water Rescue Truck.

Turnout gear.

The Water Rescue Truck.

Fireboat "Yokohama"
The Yokohama Fireboat is called the "Yokohama." It was one of many on my "To Do List" and the First of the "Fire Department" boats that we photographed.

It is a large vessel, with powerful firefighting capability. A good looking boat by all standards. We not only got the photos we were looking for, but were both treated to a great tour of the vessel by the crew members who were awesome.

Arigato!

What a great visit!

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