Minatomirai

Let's hop out of Tokyo for a brief trip.
 Truth be told, in the 15-some months since my arrival in Japan, I've neglected, maybe forgotten, the fact that the second largest city in the whole country (the first, of course, being the gigantomegalopolis that is Tokyo, where I reside,) is actually in walking proximity to the capital (by my standards). That city in question is Yokohama - the satellite port city that is so close to its neighbor that the national census counts it as being part of the Greater Tokyo Area.
 Only once have I actually taken somewhat of a look at Yokohama, despite working there twice a month or so, and that was during my brief and incomplete visit of Chinatown with Lisa (who's doing great by the way. She was in Africa last I checked.)
  Today, let's take a look at the port Yokohama is based around, and the area that came to be known today as Minatomirai - Port Future.

 Minatomirai is a rapidly booming economic and touristic area that is held as one of Yokohama's most important areas in terms of modernization and expansion. Its picture perfect skyline features indiscriminately in all of the city's guidebooks, at the center of which is Landmark Tower, Japan's tallest skyscraper, containing 48 floors of shops, restaurants and offices, and 21 floors of hotel. Floating nearby are the three towers that border the Queen's Square shopping complex, which also contains one of the branches of my workplace. (How three buildings can make a square is another miracle of Minatomirai I have yet to solve.) Adding to the skyline is the signature Ferris wheel that is Cosmo 21 (once the world's largest.) That aside, its almost eery how flawlessly well-kept Minatomirai is. No trace of refuse or litter or even of fallen leaves can be found littering the ground.

The Red Brick Warehouse and Ken

 Besides the port and the enormous shopping centers, Minatomirai is distinguished by its proximity to the aforementioned Chinatown, the streamlined Yamashita park and the interesting Red Brick Warehouses, two former seaside warehouses that have been restructured into a show-hall/museum and shopping arcade respectively. Their antiquated look dates from very early 20th century, and each has survived earthquakes and World War II bombings alike.

So if you're ever in the area, check out Minatomirai. It's genuinely nice and hard to dislike.