Saturday morning my first full day I was exploring Yokohama old town. I was supposed to do this yesterday when I arrived but the flight arrived late in the evening when it was already dark.

Leaving the capsule hotel I went down a pedestrian street towards the Yokohama Stadium where people were lining up early for some kind of event.

First I went to the waterfront past the municipal building which was rather bland looking. The waterfront had some historic ship which I thought was a sail ship but it was more commercial style so I didnt want to waste time by going in.

You pass thru a big park to reach the historic district. I found a house you could go in which had free entry after removing shoes. They also provided me an English walking map which helped orient me.

Nearby was the British House which I passed from the rear in the park and didnt see the way in. It had a typical colonial atmosphere.

Using the map I went thru the residential streets towards Motomachi Park where more colonial homes were. This passed by the Christ Church Cathedral.

There was light drizzle and it was very humid. Nearby were two more homes. All are free entry and shoes must be removed. One home belonged to a British Naval Commander.

Nearby was Berrick Hall which was being used as a wedding venue today with early morning preparations taking place but still open to the public.

At this point I was going to pass thru Chinatown to save walking. I found a local bakery where I stopped to refuel before reaching one of the Chinatown gates.

There was a grand temple and different architectural feel in Chinatown. It would have been nice to come later in the day or evening when it would be more bustling.

In the small district was another Chinese Temple and elaborate designed storefronts.

Finally I navigated myself out of Chinatown to the last two colonial homes. Some of the houses didnt have names but strange numbers like Bluff No. 111.

The second was being used as a wedding venue again and bride & groom were having their pics taken in the gardens. This was an interesting district to visit and a completely free activity with entry to all the homes.

Japan has a rich colonial heritage I have found in several trips, in Nagasaki, Kobe, Yokohama, and Hakodate still to come, which we normally wouldnt associate with Japan.

Odd when you hear comments in today's political climate of how newcomers should 'assimilate' yet here you have multiple examples of how the British went to other countries and maintained their own culture and customs in parallel societies!

See Kobe Colonial Homes http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-en tries/londone7/1/1297327156/tpod.html#i xzz1ch2Q3odL

Nagasaki Colonial Homes http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-en tries/londone7/22/1349898852/tpod.html