Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, located in the Shinko district of Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the city’s most iconic historical buildings and cultural landmarks. Originally constructed in the early 20th century by the Meiji government as bonded warehouses for the Yokohama Customs, the two buildings were part of the development plan for the Shinko Pier. Building No. 2 was completed in 1911 (Meiji 44), and Building No. 1 in 1913 (Taisho 2), both built with red bricks reinforced by steel frames.
For nearly a century, the warehouses bore witness to Yokohama’s prosperity as a trading port. As the harbor’s functions shifted, the warehouses were decommissioned in 1989 and left unused for some time. With the launch of the Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 redevelopment project, the city government and private sector collaborated to restore the buildings. They were reopened in 2002 as a multi-purpose complex integrating culture, commerce, and tourism under the name Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.
Today, Building No. 1 serves mainly as a cultural and artistic venue, featuring exhibition halls and a 400-seat multipurpose hall that regularly hosts art shows, concerts, and stage performances. Building No. 2 houses commercial facilities, including over 40 specialty shops and restaurants offering goods inspired by Yokohama’s harbor atmosphere. The rooftop restaurants offer panoramic views of the bay.
The buildings retain their original red-brick façade and iron shutters, while the surrounding area has been developed into Akarenga Park, an open plaza frequently hosting markets, music festivals, and seasonal events—such as the Christmas Market and winter skating rink—attracting both locals and tourists.
For its historical preservation and successful adaptive reuse, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse has received numerous accolades: the 45th BCS Architecture Award (2004), recognition as a Modern Industrial Heritage Site (2007), and the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Excellence (2010). Additionally, Building No. 2 has been designated a Historic Structure by the City of Yokohama and included in the list of Kanagawa’s Top 100 Buildings.
Today, the Red Brick Warehouse stands not only as a model of Meiji-era architectural preservation but also as a cultural hub of historical revitalization, symbolizing the harmony between Yokohama’s past and its modern waterfront skyline, glowing warmly under day and night lights.
