Looking at a cruise leaving from Yokahama.
There are many hotels very close to the cruise port and most look appealing as well as in budget.
Looking for feedback. Has anyone stayed at any of the hotels near Osanbashi Terminal?
Especially interested in the APA Hotel and Resort.
Boston Phil, I stayed in Tokyo before my cruise so I don't have Yokohama Hotel experience. However, I have Yokohama Port Experience. You can get a taxi from the rail station or any of the hotels in Yokohama to the port for around $15. You don't have to worry about being that close. The area around the port is quite developed and you won't really have any "poor locations" or neighborhoods. Choose a hotel that seems to meet your needs and budget without worry. I saw some people pushing their bags down the streets to the cruise terminal, but honestly, the taxi fare is so low, I would just treat yourself to the convenience.
I don't know if you plan on coming in a few days prior to your cruise. (Strongly encourage you to do this) If so here are some important things to remember.
Haneda airport is much closer to Yokohama than Narita. If you can book your flight there, it will save you time.
Both Narita and Haneda have trains to Yokohama Station. You can take the Narita Express from Narita or the KK line from Haneda. You won't have to transfer any trains on either. Plenty of taxis available at the station taxi rank for either your hotel or cruise terminal.
Another option is to use one of the Airport Limousine buses. If you choose one of the hotels with direct drop off from the airport, your transfer to your hotel will be pretty seamless and you will have no luggage issues.
You will love Japan!
Thank you Carol
I am considering two cruises. The one in September leaves from Tokyo. It is 11 days long but the solo cabins are sold out.
The one from Yokohama is 14 days long. and sails in October. This will be the longest cruise that I have taken. I actually prefer the 11 day cruise because of length but I can get a solo studio on the 14 days cruise and it will cost me $300 less.
I always spend a few days pre-cruise and occasionally post cruise as well.
The one from Yokahama is so long that I will probably only spend three days pre-cruise but if I sail the one from Tokyo, I will spend four days pre-cruise.
I have to budget both time and money. It is difficult for me to be away from home more than three weeks total.
Something that I love about the 14 day cruise is that it ends in Seoul but we overnight in Seoul before disembarking so that I will have. a day of sightseeing in Seoul. The 11 day cruise also ends in Seoul but no overnight and I will have Norwegian take me directly to the airport.
I read all your travel reports and especially loved the most recent ones having to do with Japan.
I think that you are right -- I am going to love Japan.
Just to note that I lived in Yokohama so have an affinity for it, but there is really not much there for the casual tourist. Ramen museum, foreigners' cemetery. Chinatown. The tourism takes place in Tokyo. Trains go everywhere but taking trains in Japan can be a little difficult because there are many private train lines, so you should do that research now and if necessary get your Japan Rail Pass well in advance (noting its limitations).
Hello phred
Thank you for your feedback.
I have booked. a hotel in Yokohama and probably will not get to Tokyo. I will only have three nights in Yokohama. The first day I will almost certainly be very tired from flying in and just want to rest up. The second day will be my only full day in Yokohama and I will stay in Yokohama visiting some sites and neighborhoods walking around and people watching.
Stay tuned.
And on the third day, I will be cruising.
