Yokosuka (横須賀)
Kanagawa
Quick Info
Map
Getting There
- train
- bus
- car
- ferry
Best Times to Visit
- spring: Spring offers poppies, cherry blossoms, and peak rose displays, alongside flower festivals and comfortable conditions for parks and coastal walks.
- summer: Summer is ideal for Sarushima beaches, fishing, barbecues, waterfront recreation, and Kurihama’s sunflower displays, though heat and rain are possible.
- autumn: Autumn brings cosmos blooms, a second rose season, pleasant walking weather, seafood events, and strong conditions for historic and coastal sightseeing.
What's There
- architecture: Historic naval, military, and harbor structures include the battleship Mikasa, lighthouse, and Sarushima fortifications.
- art: Yokosuka Museum of Art presents Japanese modern art and rotating exhibitions beside the sea.
- beach: Sarushima offers beaches, rocky shores, swimming-season recreation, and seaside leisure activities.
- coast: The city has extensive Tokyo Bay coastline with waterfront parks, promenades, lighthouses, and scenic marine landscapes.
- culture: Naval history, Japanese-American influences, shrines, museums, and traditional festivals create a distinctive cultural profile.
- festival: Seasonal rose, flower, iris, sunflower, and local seafood events are held across Yokosuka.
- fishing: Sarushima supports recreational fishing, while Sashima and other coastal areas have established fishing traditions.
- flowers: Kurihama Flower World, Verny Park, and other gardens feature poppies, roses, sunflowers, cosmos, and other seasonal blooms.
- food: Yokosuka is strongly associated with Navy Curry, curry noodles, Navy Burgers, local sweets, and regional seafood.
- garden: Verny Park and Kurihama Flower World provide landscaped gardens, flower displays, and maintained walking areas.
- hiking: Sarushima, Kannonzaki, and large parks provide walking trails, nature routes, and light hiking opportunities.
- history: Naval heritage, the battleship Mikasa, Kannonzaki Lighthouse, Sarushima military ruins, and Yokosuka shipyard history are major attractions.
- island: Sarushima is a naturally formed island in Tokyo Bay reached by ferry from Yokosuka.
- market: Yokosuka Port Market sells locally sourced seafood, produce, prepared foods, and regional products.
- museum: Yokosuka Museum of Art and naval heritage sites provide substantial museum and cultural interpretation opportunities.
- nature: Kannonzaki, Sarushima, flower parks, forests, and coastal habitats offer varied natural environments.
- park: Mikasa Park, Verny Park, Kurihama Flower World, and Negishi Forest Park are prominent public green spaces.
- port: Yokosuka is a historic naval port with harborfront parks, maritime views, ferries, and port-related attractions.
- seafood: Local specialties include Sashima whitebait, hijiki products, and seafood from the Miura Peninsula.
- shopping: Dobuita Street and Yokosuka Port Market offer souvenirs, specialty foods, military-themed goods, and local products.
- shrine: Kinugasa Shrine represents Yokosuka’s local Shinto heritage and is included among its cultural attractions.
- views: Waterfront parks, Kannonzaki, Sarushima, and elevated flower parks provide harbor, bay, and coastal scenery.
Specialties
- Yokosuka Navy Curry (横須賀海軍カレー): A local curry based on recipes associated with the former Japanese Navy and promoted as a signature Yokosuka food. Official local organizers describe it as a recreation of Meiji-period curry.
- Yokosuka Kettle-Cooked Whitebait (佐島産釜揚げしらす): Freshly cooked whitebait from the Sashima area is sold as a Yokosuka specialty. It is featured among the city’s locally sourced seafood products.
- Yokosuka Honey-Lemon Shiokaze Boro (横須賀産ハニーレモン潮風ボーロ): A baked confection made with Yokosuka-grown lemons, local honey, and rosemary. It was recognized in the Yokosuka souvenir development contest.
- Yokosuka Hijiki Chili Oil (よこすか釜揚げひじきラー油): A savory chili oil incorporating locally harvested cooked hijiki seaweed. The product received recognition in Yokosuka’s official souvenir contest.
- Yokosuka Navy Curry Ramen and Udon (よこすか海軍カレーラーメン/うどん): These noodle products reinterpret Yokosuka Navy Curry with a rich curry base and beef-fat depth. They are officially sold as Yokosuka souvenir products under the supervision of local restaurant Gyorantei.
Attractions
Mikasa Park (三笠公園)
This waterfront city park preserves the battleship Mikasa and commemorates Yokosuka’s naval history. It is also recognized as one of Japan’s top 100 urban parks.
Verny Park (ヴェルニー公園)
A harborfront park named after French engineer François Verny, who contributed to the Yokosuka shipyard. Its waterfront promenade offers views of naval vessels, and its rose gardens bloom in spring and autumn.
Kannonzaki Lighthouse (観音崎灯台)
A historic lighthouse stands within the nature-rich Kannonzaki area on the Tokyo Bay coast. The surrounding area includes walking routes and scenic ocean views.
Kurihama Flower World (くりはま花の国)
This large park is known for seasonal flowers, landscaped paths, and elevated views. It is listed by the Yokosuka Tourism Association among the city’s major parks and scenic destinations.
Sarushima Island (猿島)
Sarushima is Tokyo Bay’s only naturally formed island and is reached by ferry from Mikasa Pier. Visitors can explore beaches, fishing areas, barbecue facilities, and surviving military fortification ruins.
Yokosuka Museum of Art (横須賀美術館)
This modern museum is located beside the sea in the Kannonzaki area. It presents Japanese modern art and special exhibitions and is accessible by bus from nearby railway stations.
Dobuita Street (ドブ板通り)
A lively commercial street blending Japanese and American influences near the naval base. It is known for souvenir shops, military-themed stores, Navy Burgers, and American-style food.
Negishi Forest Park (根岸森林公園)
A broad green park in Yokosuka suitable for walking, recreation, and seasonal outdoor activities. The Yokosuka Tourism Association lists it among the city’s principal parks.
Kinugasa Shrine (衣笠神社)
Kinugasa Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in the Kinugasa area. It is included in the city tourism association’s directory of Yokosuka attractions and cultural sites.
Yokosuka Port Market (いちご よこすかポートマーケット)
A waterfront food and shopping complex centered on products from the Miura Peninsula. It offers local seafood, agricultural products, restaurants, and an ocean-view deck.