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Yokohama (横浜市; -shi) is the capital city of
Kanagawa prefecture in
Japan, and also a major
port.
As of
2003, the city has an estimated
population of 3,519,103 and the
density of 8,050.66 persons per
km². It is Japan's second-biggest city next to
Tokyo. The total area is 437.12 km².
The city was founded on
April 1,
1889 and was designated on
September 1,
1956 by
government ordinance.
Located on a peninsula facing the western side of
Tokyo Bay, it is a mere 30 kilometres (18 miles) from
Tokyo, and a major part of the city is a residential area for people
commuting to Tokyo. In fact, the greater Tokyo area, including Kanagawa,
Saitama and
Chiba prefectures, is often regarded as the largest
metropolitan area in the world (see
List of metropolitan areas by population).
Yokohama had been a small fishing village before the
sea port was opened in
1859. The sea port was developed for trading silk in
Meiji era and later for importing raw materials and exporting products
for factories in the
Keihin Industrial Area.
Sightseeing spots in Yokohama include the port area (Yamashita Park,
Minato Mirai 21 and China Town),
Yamate area (harbour view park) and Sankeien Garden. The
ramen museum and the
curry museum are interesting spots recently opened in Yokohama.
Yokohama is the home of
Yokohama Baystars, a
Central League baseball team, and
Yokohama F Marinos, a
J. League soccer team. The final game of the
2002 World Cup was played in Yokohama International Sports Stadium.
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