Find Sweet Treats and Unique Gifts
on Motomachi Shopping Street
What's Hot
Motomachi Shopping Street is arguably one of Yokohama’s most stylish shopping areas. Guarded by a phoenix statue at either end, it’s close to both Chinatown, and the Bluff — two sightseeing hotspots in the city. Here you’ll find exclusive items and gifts, as well as a slew of desserts and cakes. For a decadent picnic, buy some sweets and then stroll to Motomachi Park up the hill to enjoy your purchases al fresco. As for what to buy, here are some of Yokohama’s premier traditional shops to inspire you.
TAKARADA: A Piece of Yokohama You Can Take Home
Opened in 1882, TAKARADA started out as a Western style custom furniture store before re-opening as a Western style tableware store after World War II ended. Since then it has successfully run a business selling both European and Japanese bone china, crystal glasses and cutleries as well as designed its own ranges. If you’re looking for vintage Noritake pieces or Yokohama-inspired porcelain souvenirs, chances are you’ll find what you need here. TAKARADA has several Yokohama-themed collections, including the Before & Now range, which features beautiful images of charming city scenes and landmarks. For those who prefer more modern designs, the Motomachi Phoenix collection — inspired by the statues on Motomachi Shopping Street — displays a mesmerizing pattern on its items.
For small gifts that are easy to take home, there are key rings made with leather and bone china with Yokohama imagery. Shipping overseas is available.
TAKARADA | |
---|---|
Address | 3-118 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama |
Tel | 045-641-0057 |
URL | http://www.takarada.co.jp |
Kiku-ya: A Specialist in Western Confectionary
Kiku-ya opened in 1924 and gained popularity after a Swiss woman living in the area requested the head patissier, trained in Europe, to bake her a cake. It was so exceptional that soon others approached the shop with similar requests and Kiku-ya’s reputation as a quality Western confectioner was solidified. The shop always has an exceptional range of tarts, cookies and cakes, with seasonal options available for limited periods. People come from far and wide to buy Kiku-ya’s rum balls, a product that has existed since they opened almost a century earlier. For a taste of tradition, buy a selection of different cakes and share them with friends. There is also a small café space that seats about 15 to 20 people for those who would like to dine in.
Kiku-ya | |
---|---|
Address | 2-86 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama |
Tel | 045-641-0545 |
URL | http://kiku-ya.jp |
Kouro-an: Traditional Japanese Sweets with a Twist
Those seeking Japanese confectionery should head to Kouro-an’s main store, which sells a variety of traditional sweets — but with a Motomachi touch. The shop focuses on using natural ingredients like fruit, honey, nuts and kokuto (Japanese-style brown sugar) and more to create their classic flavors. Some sweets have Yokohama-themed backgrounds. The Hana Motomachi selection, for example, is inspired by the glass buoys that float in Yokohama’s harbor. The thin layer dorayaki recreates the reflection of the full moon in the waves of the harbor.
Kouro-an | |
---|---|
Address | 1-40 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama |
Nearest Station | Tsurumi (JR) or Kagetsu-Sojiji (Keikyu) |
Tel | 045-663-8866 |
URL | http://kouro-an.jp/english |
Japanese Tea Shop & Cafeteria SAKURA: Fan-tea-stic Green Tea and Sweets
Tea specialist Sakura opened in 2002 and quickly solidified itself as the place to buy and enjoy green tea. Choose from a selection of green teas from famous tea regions like Yame, Miyazaki and Shizuoka to take home, as well as artisan-made teapots and teacups. Or, enjoy a tea set in-store — complete with instructions on the best way to drink it. Sakura also serves healthy lunches such as Tofu Hamburg (a Salisbury steak-style burger dish) and more, but the shop’s crowning jewel is an unrivaled matcha dessert. For the ultimate matcha sweets experience, look no further than Sakura’s Green Tea Parfait. Topped with cotton candy, this veritable tower contains crushed matcha cookies, adzuki beans, SAKURA ice cream, matcha sponge cake — and much more.
Japanese Tea Shop & Cafeteria SAKURA | |
---|---|
Address | 2-107 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama |
Nearest Station | Nippa (Yokohama Municipal Subway) |
Tel | 045-212-1042 |
URL | https://www.sakura-yokohama.com |
Chikazawa Lace: Unique Creations
Entering Chikazawa Lace is like going into the home of a fairy tale princess. Lace-lined items in every conceivable form possible are on display across the store — bags, curtains, umbrellas, scarves and handkerchiefs and more. Many have traditional lace designs, but others have unique characteristics you won’t find anywhere else. Hello Kitty accessories, handkerchiefs lined with lace avocadoes, ballet shoes, merry-go-rounds, and even sushi are just a small sample of the innovative designs available. It’s the perfect place to find a gift that is both useful and personal, as they have designs to suit almost any interest.
Chikazawa Lace | |
---|---|
Address | 3-119 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama |
Tel | 045-641-3222 |
URL | https://www.chikazawa-lace.com |
Motomachi Shopping Street
Motomachi Shopping Street | |
---|---|
Nearest Station | Motomachi-Chukagai (Minatomirai) or Ishikawacho (JR) |
URL | https://www.motomachi.or.jp/en/ |
Note: Business hours and services may differ due to the impact of Covid-19