Yamashita Park

If you want an example of tragedy turned into beauty, look no further than Yamashita Park in Yokohama. The park rose from the rubble of the Great Kanto Earthquake. Built using repurposed debris from the disaster, it opened in the 1930s and quickly became a seaside landmark, attracting visitors with its memorials and waterfront charm.

Hikawa Maru

Photo by: iStock/ 7maru

The first thing you’ll notice is the Hikawa Maru, a stately black-and-white ocean liner docked permanently in the park. Charlie Chaplin once sailed on it, and you can still see his favorite cabin. 

Today, the ship serves as a floating time capsule. The cabins, vintage furniture and even menus from its final voyages remain intact. Visitors can glimpse life onboard, both for wealthy passengers and those in more modest shared cabins, back in the early 20th century.

Statue Serenade

Photo by: iStock/ gyro

On land, statues and monuments dot the park like an outdoor gallery. The best known is the “Girl with the Red Shoes On” (Akai Kutsu), inspired by a famous Japanese poem. Her forlorn expression mirrors the poem’s dark tale of a mother claiming her daughter was taken overseas by missionaries to avoid confronting the girl’s death from disease. 

Nearby, the Guardian of Water stands tall, a twin of the original statue in San Diego, which symbolizes the friendship between the sister cities. The water cascades draw visitors who stop to watch or use it as a meetup spot.

On the opposite side, an Indian-style fountain honors India-Japan ties and the Indian merchants who died in the earthquake. Its design blends Indian and Japanese architecture with Islamic art.

Night Stroll

Photo by: PIXTA/ まちゃー

Yamashita Park isn’t just for statues or ships. The wide promenade invites long walks, with boats drifting across the bay and flowerbeds blooming year-round. At night, the Hikawa Maru, statues, and Yokohama Marine Tower light up, creating a romantic atmosphere. Expect to see plenty of couples enjoying the shimmering waterfront.

Ultimately, whether it’s the ship telling stories of distant voyages, monuments marking friendship and loss, or young people soaking up the evening lights, Yamashita Park shows how even the darkest moments can give rise to beauty, love, and togetherness.