Things to Do in Tokyo Prefecture

Stepping into the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (sometimes written Shinyokohama Raumen Museum) is a bit like stepping back into the Japan of 1958, the year Japan’s first instant ramen was invented. A replicated street-scape features nine ramen shops serving noodle styles from various regions of Japan (and operated by some of the country’s most famous ramen restaurant chains); a mini-size option means visitors can sample and find their perfect bowl.

Upstairs from the street-scape visitors can learn about the history of Japan’s iconic dish, as well as the different types of noodles, broths and toppings each region uses to construct the ideal bowl. The ramen museum shop sells packaged ramen from throughout the country, bowls, chopsticks and other ramen utensils. At the My Ramen booth, guests create their own brand of Japanese noodle. A traditional sweet shop packs an additional 300 varieties of old-fashioned candy for dessert.

Situated on a small island in Yokohama Bay just south of downtown, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a combination amusement park and aquarium — one of the most visited in the country.

The highlight of the park is its Aqua Museum, one of the largest marine life aquariums in Japan with more than 500 varieties of sea creatures spread throughout the three-floor structure. Between animal shows, guests can observe whale sharks, giant sea turtles, sea otters, dolphins and polar bears inside their recreated marine habitats. In Fureai Lagoon, guests can touch dolphins, beluga whales and walrus in a save environment.

Pleasure Land, the amusement park portion of Sea Paradise, features a sea coaster that swings out over the waters of Yokohama Bay, as well as a vertical drop tower, river raft ride and many of the usual carnival-style rides.