While visiting Yokohama, you are going to want to get out of your Yokohama guesthouse and see all of the attractions the city has to offer. One place you should definitely be sure to check out is the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The building itself is rather historical. It currently serves as a as a complex that houses a shopping mall, a banquet hall, and location to host events. Sometimes you will hear the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse being referred to as the Newport Pier Tax Keeping Warehouse. It used to be used as a customs building. The building is located at the Port of Yokohama.
In the year 1899 the Japanese government decided they wanted new harbor facilities and so the plans for these facilities began. It was completed by the year 1905, but went under some expansions just one short year later. In the year 1911, Building No. 2 was built. Both Building No. 1 and 2 were used for customs purposes. The buildings suffered great damage during the Great Kanto Earthquake in the year 1923. However, repair work for the damages were completed by the year 1930. In 1989 these buildings no longer served as customs buildings. From the years 1994 and 1999, restoration was done on the buildings. After all of the restoration was complete to include the interior of the buildings, the buildings opened on April 12, 2002 as the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.
Today, Building No. 1 and Building No. 2 serve different purposes. Building No. 1 is used more for cultural happenings. This includes, but is not limited to film festivals, musical competitions, theatrical plays, and other various events. Building No. 2 is where the shopping mall and restaurant arcade are. On the third floor is also where people can look out on the balcony to view the harbor. This feature was added in the year 2007.
With the historical value as well as all there is to do and experience within both buildings of the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan. It is a very famous location within Yokohama. The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse represents the modernization of the city of Yokohama. Visiting the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse will definitely make your visit in Yokohama more enjoyable. It will be a piece of history for you to experience while you shop or attend one of the many events hosted there as well as anything else you may choose to take part in while you’re there.