Yokohama state of mind: Here's your complete travel guide to the Japanese city

In travel mode we identify as a serial walker It sets a harmonious pace for the surroundings to narrate a visual storyOur first morning in Japan begins with a 15km walk from The Westin Yokohama in the waterfront district of Minato Mirai to Oshanbashi pier to catch a 513 am sunrise The sunrays fall on the same Pacific waters which in 1859 welcomed international traders making Yokohama the first gateway port to JapanAn aerial view of Mt Fuji watching over the city of Yokohama PiciStockOn our way back we get our first taste of a ldquokonbinirdquo the infamous convenience stores that give snacking a 247 status From onigiris noriwrapped rice ice cream in pouches to bento boxes and the fluffiest egg sandos Seven Eleven Lawson and Family Mart make Japanrsquos snacking game a tempting indulgence On our way back we also spot a lsquoPokeacutemonrsquo manhole located at the entry of Nippon Maru a docked sail training shipAn evening view of Mt Fuji from our windowThe buffet lunch at the hotelrsquos Pacific Table represents the portrsquos story of being a bridge to the world International cuisine with local produce On Executive Chef Sarah Madiganrsquos recommendation we try walnut and sesame Tantanmen a slurpy duck miso ramen with Chinese dandan noodles mdash an ode to the countryrsquos largest China Town that the city houses Satiated we curl up on the hotelrsquos signature Heavenly Bed to beat the jetlag We wake up to clear skies and stare into the Yokohama skyline blinking twice Before us stands the unmissable conical shape of Mt FujiWe tour Berrick Hall a residence done up in Spanishstyle architecture in 1930Yokohamarsquos cultural heritage of its past tenants comes alive in the Yamate historic district nicknamed The Bluff Some of the lavish homes of foreign settlers from the 19th and 20th century are open to public viewing The area also boasts of churches museums and parks We tour Berrick Hall a twofloor residence done up in Spanishstyle architecture in 1930 The structure with arched windows wall fountains and expansive rooms was once home to DR Berrick a foreign trade merchant who served as Honorary Finnish consul At a stonersquos throw away is Harbour View Park and a cemetery with 3000 gravestonesWersquore also invited to a tea ceremony in Mugenan a tea ceremony space on the fourth floor of Imperial building again a historic structure with Art Deco touches that was built for foreigners in 1930A touch of whimsy with a Pokemon manhole coverThis scribe may have dodged the matcha latte hype so far but it was ceremonious to take part in the 400yearold Urasenke Chado tradition Ukiyo Kiyama an 80yearold tea master donning a beige kimono receives us with a warm smile He points to a small window opening at the bottom of a wall ldquoBow your head and get insiderdquo he tells usEvery move going forward is a slowmo show of respect mdash to the utensils fellow guests to the tea and his master Ukiyosan kneels and spends the next few minutes wiping the matcha bowl chawan with a satin napkin in an unhurried manner He notices our serious faces and lightens the mood ldquoYou are allowed to talkrdquoDuring World War II Japanrsquos first cargopassenger ship Hikawa Maru was set up as a hospital shipHe readies the wooden whisk tea bowl a slender scooper kettle containers for the tea powder and a jug of cold water to prepare the teaAs guests we play our part We place the bowl between us and the next guest We bow to them and say ldquoExcuse me for going before yourdquo Then placing it in front of us we thank the tea master for the tea Placing the porcelain cup with motifs of green branches on our left palm we express thanks to the design We turn the better side of it away from us and drink wiping the rim with our thumb and index finger We turn it and appreciate the design We then turn the good side towards the host and return it ldquoThe whole idea of the tea ceremony is to give importance to others and share the moment with themrdquo Ukiyosan reminds us We sample an onigiri from a konbini one of Japanrsquos famous convenience storesOur 70yearold driver reminisces that not much has changed since his childhood days The advancements are crafted for ease and without disrupting the essence of the city A ride on the Yokohama Air Cabin Japanrsquos first urban type circular rope way offers the stunning view of the Ferris wheel by the pier and our keen eye spots jellyfish in the waters below At the other end Redbrick Warehouse once the shipping hub along the port is now a busy shopping districtWe go aboard another piece of heritage Japanrsquos first cargopassenger ship Hikawa Maru built in 1930 It sits anchored on the pier by Yamashito Park All of 1633 meters in length it once had a speed of 1838 knots with a capacity of 286 passengers It feels like a Titanic moment as we walk through the firstclass lounges cabins and the engineWestinrsquos wellness programme gives us a reset each day after being out and about One morning we do a 20minute session of stretching and a sprint around the block with the hotelrsquos Run Concierge A sleep session with music consultants focuses on winding down for the night while a cup of tea and mediation to sound therapy prepare the body for deep slumberEverything they tell you about Japan is true Yokohama turned out to be an ideal starting point to savour the Japan experience sans the fullthrottle overwhelm its neighbour Tokyo tends to giveADVENTURETOUR amp TASTERELAXINGEDUCATIONALANCIENT amp HISTORICALWANT TO HEAR FROM YOUWe are looking to visit and write about interesting places of stay and travel near and far If you wish to host us for a fair engaging experience review write to us at smdmailmiddaycomWHAT TO DO Cupnoodles MuseumRamen fans have Momofuku Ando to thank for inventing chicken ramen noodle in 1958 and instant noodles in 1961 The Cupnoodle Museum traces his lifersquos work and the global craze of instant noodles The Instant Noodles History cube displays 3000 ramen samples from 19582025 Guests can also make their own noodlesWhere to eat Iron BayChef Yamashita Shota combines French techniques Japanese produce and the art of woodfired cuisine at Iron BayAt The Westin Yokohama ChinatownYokohama is home to one of the biggest Chinatowns in the country and best known for its steamed panda buns peking duck and porkfilled dumpling soup Hit the streetsYokohama station Redbrick Warehouse and Kannai areas are peppered with taprooms jazz bars izayas for a nightlife experience Try the local breweries including Yokohama BeerDay trip from YokohamaTake a day trip to Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture especially if you are an anime fan The expanse has featured in many hit features such as Slam Dunk and Sweet Blue Flowers Beach bums can catch a surfing tide at Nameri Gawa Beach Pay respects at the Kotokuin temple where a largerthanlife Buddha sits peacefully Dig into a soba noodle lunch at Kamakura Matsubaraan AoWhere to stay The Westin YokohamaNestled in Minato Mirai the hotel is within a short walk of several stations including Yokohama Station assuring easy access to TokyoAT The Westin 428 Minatomirai Nishi Ku Yokohama JapanHow to travelAll Nippon Airways run daily codeshare flights with Air India from Mumbai and DelhiThe writer was in Yokohama Japan on invitation of Marriott International