Things to do in Yokosuka

If you still haven’t gotten your fill of port towns, the nearby city of Yokosuka is also worth visiting. See a tour along the water, or enjoy the great variety between giant shopping malls, picturesque retro downtown areas and more. The city of Yokosuka has been featured in films such as Godzilla, and in other media, notably the game Shenmue, which recreated sights including Suwadai Shrine and Odakicho Park, as well as the warehouses by the pier!

See Yokosuka’s “Little America”

While in downtown Yokosuka, you will probably come across the famous Dobuita Street. This is an attraction all in of itself, where you can shop for custom silk bomber jackets called sukajan in many interesting designs, while enjoying American sized diner burgers of all sorts! The import shops lining the street can also offer a taste of home away from home. Sukajan were popularized starting in the 60s with the Shohei Imamura film “Pigs and Battleships,” an award winning film of the Japanese New Wave of cinema that takes place in Yokosuka. Since then, sukajan and those who wear them have had a sort of countercultural image, almost the equivalent of American greasers.

Many of these retro eateries are known for their wild specialty hamburgers, and also navy curry, a thickened curry full of meat and vegetables that was originally served to Japanese servicemen. 

“Monkey Island” and 100,000 Sunflowers in Full Bloom

There is plenty to see nearby Yokosuka as well. In summer you can see the unique “Sunflower Festival” at Soleil Hill. This theme park is great for kids and adults, whether it is ziplining in the open air, driving go-karts, or just taking in the beautiful scenery full of giant sunflowers.

Sarushima Island, known as “Monkey Island,” is an uninhabited island, and also the only natural island in the Tokyo area. It was redeveloped in the post war period, and is now a popular place to explore for a day. It is only 10 minutes from downtown Yokosuka by ferry, and has great beaches, spots for fishing, camping, and hiking through picturesque bamboo forests. Previously, it had been heavily fortified from the Edo period up to WW2, and so there are ruins of various ages that can be explored here. There is a small food stand on the island, but feel free to pack your own picnic lunch as well. The visitor center also can provide beach umbrellas and inner tubes.

How to access:

75 minutes from Tokyo direct by Yokosuka Line

Soleil Hill Park is accessible by shuttle bus from Misakiguchi station on the Keikyu line