‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’

Yokohama is a city where the ‘old’ and ‘new’ meet. In a city where tradition and modern are fused together, the ‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’（横浜赤レンガ倉庫）are two historical buildings that exemplify this very well.

Being one of the most recognizable landmarks in Yokohama, the ‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’ are two historical buildings located in Yokohama port. The two buildings were built in 1911 and 1913 as a hub for export trade activities. Until its shutdown in 1989, it served a vital role in the commerce and export of Japanese goods.

It earned the ‘UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction’ in 2010 for its sensitive and detailed restoration.

Here are a few pictures:

The ‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’ was first built in 1911 as a customs house.

A railroad connected Yokohama port with various industrial centres around Yokohama/Tokyo, and the volume of cargo quickly tripled due to the ability for ship to moor directly to the pier.

Building No.1 hosted the first ever elevator for cargo handling in Japan. The remains can still be seen today.

Both warehouses ended their roles as custom houses in 1989, and restoration took place between 1994 and 1999.

In 2002, the ‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’ re-opened as a complex that includes a shopping mall, banquet hall, and even venues. Inside, there are many artsy cafes and restaurants such as this one, ‘Chano-ma’.

You can also find many stationary stores, fashion shops, and furniture stores.

A multi-purpose event hall hosts concerts and entertainment throughout the year, and is also available for private functions.

Various events and exhibitions are held throughout the year in the outdoor area, including a skating rink during the winter season.

So, how do you like it? The ‘Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse’ is a magnificent tourist attraction which highlights the industrial strength of Japan and the fine craftsmanship of the Japanese people. After all, the Japanese people are exceptional in transforming the old into something new!