Yokohama Port Museum

If you're suddenly caught in the rain in Yokohama Port!

We stopped in this museum in Nippon-maru Memorial Park when a heavy shower suddenly changed our plans. We didn't even know what the building was. At first we thought it was a terminal building for the Nippon-maru ship outside! We were surprised to learn it is a museum and enjoyed around an hour meandering about and conversing with the friendly and helpful staff. We did not board Nippon-maru, because of the rain, but I definitely would go back just to explore the ship. They have information leaflets in English, but the volunteer guides can tell you anything you need to know and some of them speak English. They are very friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and helpful. They have an English webpage too. The museum has different areas of which one, at the entrance is actually free. You can view giant floor maps of Yokohama. This was surprisingly the highlight for my four kids who were aged between 1 and 6 years old at the time of visiting. The rediscover zone is probably most interesting in the learning zones, for smaller children. They hold events for children in the museum too. It is open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday. A combined ticket to see the ship and for the museum costs 600 yen normally, but it is only 400 yen in winter. School aged children cost 300 yen normally and 200 yen in Winter. A ticket into one or other (the ship or the museum) costs 400 yen March to November and 200 yen from December to February. You can not bring a buggy / stroller into the museum you have to leave it at the door. The museum is partially barrier free, with ramps, slopes and elevators. There is a ostomates accessible restroom, which is a multi-purpose restroom with changing facilities.