Anaba OffJapan
Overview
Minato Mirai 21 is Yokohama's premier waterfront district, and its shopping scene rivals anything in Tokyo. With four major shopping complexes connected by climate-controlled walkways, you can spend an entire day exploring without stepping outside. This guide covers every shopping destination in Minato Mirai — from luxury brands at Landmark Plaza to quirky souvenirs at World Porters — with practical tips on navigating the area and finding the best deals.
Landmark Plaza — Luxury and Landmark Views
Location: Connected to Landmark Tower and Sakuragicho Station (5-minute walk) Hours: 10:00-20:00 (restaurants until 22:00) Stores: 190+
Landmark Plaza is Minato Mirai's premier shopping destination, occupying the lower floors of the iconic Landmark Tower. The five-story atrium, with its dramatic glass ceiling and fountain, hosts a mix of Japanese and international brands.
Fashion highlights:
- Beams (3F): Japanese select shop with curated collections from international and domestic designers
- United Arrows (3F): High-end Japanese casual wear — excellent quality at prices below European luxury
- Muji (4F): The largest Muji in Yokohama, with their full furniture and home goods line
- Uniqlo (B1): Standard selection but less crowded than Tokyo locations
Souvenir highlights:
- Yokahama-ya (1F): Specializes in Yokohama-themed souvenirs — from the famous "Yokohama" branded towels (¥1,500) to limited-edition Landmark Tower chocolates (¥800)
- Sogo Museum of Art Shop (2F): Art prints and design objects from the museum's collection (¥1,000-5,000)
Food court: The basement-level food court (Dining Court, ¥800-1,500) offers 15 options including ramen, udon, curry, and Italian. I recommend Menya Itto (¥1,100), which serves a rich tsukemen (dipping noodles) that rivals Tokyo's best.
World Porters — Quirky and Family-Friendly
Location: A 7-minute walk from Landmark Plaza, on the waterfront side Hours: 10:30-21:00 Stores: 100+
World Porters has a more casual, family-oriented atmosphere than Landmark Plaza. The building is designed like a European port town, with winding corridors and harbor views.
Best for souvenirs:
- Village Vanguard (2F): A chaotic, wonderful store selling everything from bizarre stationery to regional snacks. Perfect for unusual gifts (¥500-3,000)
- Yokohama World Porters Souvenir Shop (1F): The best selection of Yokohama-specific snacks, including silk sweet potato sticks (¥600), Yokohama curry paste (¥800), and Minato Mirai cookies (¥1,000)
- Kiddy Land (3F): Character goods from Sanrio, Snoopy, and Disney — popular with children and collectors
Entertainment: World Porters also has a small amusement park, Yokohama Cosmo World, immediately adjacent, with the iconic Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel (¥800). The ferris wheel is the world's largest timepiece and offers stunning night views.
MARK IS Minato Mirai — Youth Fashion and Lifestyle
Location: 10-minute walk from Landmark Plaza toward Yokohama Station Hours: 10:00-21:00 Stores: 180+
MARK IS opened in 2019 and targets a younger demographic with trend-focused fashion and lifestyle brands.
Must-visit stores:
- Loft (3F-4F): A massive lifestyle store spanning two floors — stationery, cosmetics, kitchen goods, and home decor. Their Yokohama-exclusive section (3F) sells Minato Mirai-themed washi tape (¥400), postcards (¥150), and hand towels (¥800).
- H&M (2F): The largest H&M in Kanagawa — three floors of fashion at international prices
- Daiso (B1): Everything ¥100 — the best place to pick up affordable souvenirs like folding fans, chopsticks, and furoshiki wrapping cloths
- Tsutaya Books (5F): A beautiful bookstore with an attached Starbucks and views of the harbor
Events: MARK IS regularly hosts pop-up markets and seasonal events in its central atrium. Check their website for craft fairs, farmers' markets, and holiday events during your visit.
Queen's Square — Connected Comfort
Location: Directly connected to Minato Mirai Station (via underground passage) Hours: 10:00-20:00 Stores: 80+
Queen's Square is the transport hub of Minato Mirai, directly connected to the Minatomirai Line station. It's smaller than the other complexes but has excellent mid-range shopping.
Highlights:
- Francfranc (2F): Japanese home goods brand with stylish, affordable interior items — their seasonal collections are excellent for gift shopping (¥1,000-5,000)
- Zara (B1): Standard international fast fashion
- ABC Mart (B1): Japanese shoe retailer with good prices on sneakers (¥4,000-8,000)
- Tully's Coffee (2F): A reliable coffee stop with harbor-view seating
Nippon Maru Memorial Park Open-Air Market
Location: Between World Porters and Queen's Square Hours: Weekends and holidays, 10:00-16:00 (weather permitting)
On weekends, Nippon Maru Memorial Park hosts a small open-air market with local artisans selling handmade crafts, jewelry, and food. This is an excellent place to find unique, non-mass-produced souvenirs. Items range from ¥500 (handmade postcards) to ¥10,000 (ceramic tableware). The park itself features the Nippon Maru training ship (open for tours, ¥600) and the Yokohama Port Museum.
Window Shopping on the Waterfront Promenade
Even if you are not buying, Minato Mirai's waterfront promenade offers one of the best walking experiences in Yokohama. The 2-kilometer path from Landmark Tower to World Porters passes through gardens, plazas, and along the harbor. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji across the bay from several points along the route. This area is particularly beautiful at sunset, when the buildings reflect gold and orange across the water. Explore Mt Fuji & Hakone on a full-day trip with sukiyaki lunch, Hakone Cruise, Ropeway & Shinkansen return
Best Times to Shop in Minato Mirai
Weekday mornings (10:00-12:00) are the quietest time across all four complexes. Landmark Plaza and Queen's Square see the most foot traffic during lunch hours (12:00-13:30) as office workers from nearby buildings visit the food courts. Afternoons (14:00-17:00) are moderately busy, especially on weekends when families and tourists fill the corridors.
Quietest days: Tuesday through Thursday. Monday can be surprisingly busy due to national holidays shifting.
Busiest periods: Weekends (especially sunny Saturdays), Golden Week (late April-early May), summer vacation (mid-July to August), and the year-end holiday season (mid-December to Christmas). During these periods, I recommend arriving at opening time (10:00) to enjoy the stores before crowds peak around 13:00.
Evening shopping: On Fridays and Saturdays, many stores in Landmark Plaza and MARK IS stay open until 21:00. The waterfront promenade is beautifully lit after sunset — combine evening shopping with a night view walk.
Tax-Free Shopping Guide
All major shopping complexes in Minato Mirai participate in Japan's tax-free shopping program for foreign visitors:
Requirements:
- Must hold a foreign passport (temporary visitor status)
- Minimum purchase: ¥5,000 (consumables) or ¥5,000 (general goods)
- Tax refund: 10% consumption tax deducted at purchase
How to claim:
- Shop at stores displaying the "Tax-Free" logo (most stores in Landmark Plaza and MARK IS)
- Present your passport at the register
- Tax is deducted immediately (no need to go to a separate refund counter)
- Consumables (food, cosmetics, medicine) must be sealed in special bags and not opened until leaving Japan
Best stores for tax-free shopping:
- Muji (Landmark Plaza, 4F): Full tax-free counter — their skincare and stationery make excellent gifts
- Loft (MARK IS, 3F-4F): Tax-free counter on 3F — stock up on Japanese stationery and cosmetics
- Daiso (MARK IS, B1): Tax-free for purchases over ¥5,000 (50 items at ¥100 — easy to hit minimum)
Best of all, since the shopping complexes are close together within walking distance, you can hit all the tax-free stores in a single shopping route without rushing.
Nearby Attractions
Combine your shopping trip with these nearby attractions, all within walking distance:
- Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden (¥1,000): The 69th-floor observation deck offers panoramic views. Visit before or after shopping at Landmark Plaza — it's in the same building.
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (15-minute walk from World Porters): Two historic buildings turned into shops and event spaces. The smaller building houses a curated selection of craft shops and cafes.
- Noge Izakaya District (15-minute walk from Queen's Square): Perfect for dinner after a day of shopping — narrow streets packed with tiny izakaya bars.
- Yokohama Cosmo World (adjacent to World Porters): The amusement park with the iconic ferris wheel — night rides are popular after shopping hours.
Budget Shopping Guide
| Shopping Complex | Price Range | Best For | Footwear-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landmark Plaza | ¥¥¥-¥¥¥¥ | Luxury fashion, quality souvenirs | ✅ (flat, marble floors) |
| World Porters | ¥-¥¥¥ | Family shopping, quirky gifts | ✅ (ramps available) |
| MARK IS | ¥-¥¥¥ | Youth fashion, stationery | ✅ (wide corridors) |
| Queen's Square | ¥¥-¥¥¥ | Mid-range fashion, convenience | ✅ (connected station) |
| Daiso (MARK IS) | ¥ | Budget souvenirs, everyday items | ✅ |
Money-saving tip: Download the official MARK IS app for coupon offers (¥500 off purchases over ¥5,000, updated monthly). World Porters offers a 5% discount to visitors who show their same-day Shinkansen ticket at the information desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Minato Mirai shopping complex is best for luxury brands?A:Landmark Plaza has the highest concentration of luxury brands, including Burberry, Gucci, Coach, and Tiffany & Queen's Square has a few mid-range international brands but no high-end luxury. World Porters and MARK IS focus on accessible fashion and lifestyle brands.
Q: Are the shopping complexes connected indoors?A: Yes and no. Landmark Plaza and Queen's Square are connected via the Queen's Walk — a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge. Queen's Square connects directly to Minato Mirai Station. World Porters is a 7-minute outdoor walk from Queen's Square (covered walkway, partially exposed). MARK IS is a 10-minute walk from Landmark Plaza, partially covered but not fully enclosed. In bad weather, I recommend focusing on the Landmark Plaza-Queen's Square corridor.
Q: What are the best Yokohama-specific souvenirs?A: The top five souvenirs unique to Yokohama are: (1) Silk sweet potato sticks (はまぐり棒, ¥600-800) — a Yokohama-classic snack, (2) Yokohama curry paste (¥800-1,200) — the city's famous navy curry in a jar, (3) Minato Mirai cookies (¥1,000-1,500) — shaped like landmark buildings, (4) Korin-brand Yokohama towels (¥1,500-3,000) — high-quality cotton towels produced in Yokohama since 1908, (5) Yokohama-themed stationery (¥500-2,000) — available at Loft's Yokohama-exclusive section.
Q: Is Minato Mirai shopping suitable for children?A: Yes. World Porters has a playground and Kiddy Land character goods store. MARK IS has a children's play area on 4F (¥500 per 30 minutes, supervised). Most department stores have family restrooms and nursing rooms. The connecting walkways are stroller-friendly.
Q: What time do stores open and close?A: Most stores open at 10:00-10:30 AM and close at 20:00-21:00. Restaurants typically stay open until 21:00-23:00 (last order at 21:00-22:00). Note that some stores have irregular closing days — check individual store websites before visiting, especially during Golden Week (late April-early May) and New Year (December 29-January 3).
Related Articles
- Yokohama Travel Guide 2026 — Ultimate Area Guide for Landmarks, Food & Culture
- Yokohama Landmark Tower Guide
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Guide
- Yokohama Night View Guide
- Yokohama Sightseeing Guide
Conclusion
Minato Mirai's shopping scene offers something for every budget and taste — from luxury flagship stores to ¥100 shops filled with delightful finds. What makes the area special is how walkable it is: four major shopping complexes within a 15-minute walk, connected by a waterfront promenade with stunning bay views. I have spent many weekends exploring these complexes, and each visit reveals new stores and seasonal pop-ups. Whether you are hunting for the perfect Yokohama souvenir or simply enjoy window shopping with a harbor view, Minato Mirai is a shopper's paradise that rivals anything Tokyo has to offer.
Last Updated: 2026-07-16
Written by: Anaba OffJapan Editorial Team
Photos: Editorial photography and on-site field research
