Yokohama Travel Vlog: My Solo Adventures as a 50+ Disabled Vet

Yokohama Travel Vlog: My Solo Adventures as a 50+ Disabled Vet

After a 25 minute train ride from Shin-Yokohama 
to Sakuragicho station, I arrive in the heart of Yokohama near Yokohama bay.
My hotel is just a few minutes walk from the station.
I left my bags with them, intending to check in later, as its still only 1:00 local 
time. Then I headed out to see what I could see. First thing I came across was the 
sail training ship Nippon Maru, constructed in 1930 and retired in 1984.
Tours are available, but I was on my way to another tour nearby.
Grabbed a quick drink from a vending machine, and then took note of places I 
could check out later, like the Hard Rock café. This Harry Potter is a specialty shop with lots 
of official goods and several themed areas. But what I was really looking 
for was the cup noodles museum. I grabbed a ticket for the museum and 
the my cupnoodles factory experience The museum holds examples of the types 
and styles of cup noodle through the years There are exhibits showing the history and 
milestones of cup noodle, including such things as the first space ramen
Created post world war 2, to help with the food crisis, no only 
did Ando Momofuku create cup noodle, but was the first to insist on manufacture 
dating on his products to avoid quality issues. At this point I headed over to the my cupnoodle 
experience, to make my own custom cup noodle. You start by customizing your cup, and 
doodling as much as you like on it, but you must put the date you create it on the cup
Then its time to create your own cup noodle. I can be heard saying “kore” meaning that, 
while pointing out the different items to be added. I chose to make curry flavor, and add 
beef, potato, green onion, and garlic chips. From there its on to the station where 
the top is sealed, and then its wrapped. While still loose, its put under a 
heating element to shrink the shrink wrap. Additionally you receive a 
bag that can be inflated to protect your cup noodle for your travels. Then it was one last selfie with Momofuku Ando, 
then heading to the nearby shopping center with lots of food, and the Yokohama air cabin.
If you couldn’t decide which KitKat to take home with you before, this store let 
you mix and match by the basket full. As you saw already, I couldn’t help trying 
a Japanese sweet crepe. It was excellent. Then it was time to check in and take a little 
break before dinner time, so I grabbed the Yokohama air cabin to get back near my hotel.
Opened in 2021, the air cabin connects Yokohama Cosmo World (the amusements park) to 
Sakuragicho Station, and only takes 5 minutes. This room came with lots of space 
compared to the business hotels I used, and a great view of the city.
After relaxing for a few, I headed out to find dinner.
You may think its weird to get French in Japan, but for me its no 
stranger than getting it in the US. It had a classic Parisian style 
and a great view of the bay. Classic quiche and French onion soup, and a 
glass or two of Hibiki to toast one heck of a trip. The key is how you get your bill, 
by just returning it at the register. I decided to take a walk after dinner 
and grab a Hard Rock hat as a souvenir, then back to the hotel and one last 
look at the bay lit up at night. After a good nights sleep, I had a few hours to 
explore Yokohama before heading to Narita airport. A local art museum had a new artist exhibition 
unfortunately not much photography was permitted. Then I headed to Iseyama Kotaijingu, 
a hilltop Shinto shrine and wedding venue. A ceremony was just finishing, and the 
formal dress was very traditional and striking. Out of respect I simply offered omedato or 
congratulations, but refrained from trying to take any pictures of them or their event.
For lunch I stopped at this Tsukemen restaurant. Tsukemen means dipping noodles, and the 
noodles and broth are served separately. Then it was time to grab the 
train and head to Narita airport. I decided to stay at a location 
attached to the airport to avoid any need to travel there early morning when
I decided to stay at a location attached to the airport to avoid any need to travel there 
early morning when many trains are very busy. On the way to the hotel I passed tons of stylish 
shops with lots of last minute souvenirs. It was easy to find my way, and get checked in
The room itself was just right for my purposes. I wandered out to the Haneda airport 
garden, a collection of shops and restaurants, including a studio Ghibli shop.
I realized I hadn’t tried a Japanese hamburger, so I grabbed a teriyaki mos burger and fries with 
a melon soda. It was good, but I’ll admit I didn’t expect how much I’d enjoy the melon soda.
One last good snooze in Japan, then it was up early to catch my flight
That guy looked a bit disappointed, huh. But I was missing my family, 
and this adventure was at its end. I grabbed what seemed to be my go to breakfast 
this trip, an onigiri, and headed for my gate. I decided to grab one more souvenir, 
and then boarded my flight. This JAL flight had external cameras for 
you to choose from to observe the departure. Sorry for the shaky camera, but those 
take offs can be a little bouncey. The food and drink on the flight was very good, 
and soon enough, I was back to my home state. I’m hoping you enjoyed this series on my Japan 
travels. If so, leave a like and subscribe if you can, and comment that you’d like to see more. I 
am returning to Japan to see multiple new places, and I’d be glad to share. Just remember, it’s 
a big world, go see it. Thanks for watching!

After arriving in Yokohama via train from Shin-Yokohama, I dropped my bags near Sakuragicho Station and set out to explore this dynamic port city!
🚢 First stop: the historic Nippon Maru sailing ship and the surrounding bay area. Then, it was off to one of my most anticipated stops — the Cup Noodles Museum, where I not only learned the history of this iconic Japanese food but even made my own custom curry cup noodle 🍜 (yes, beef, garlic chips, and all).
🏙 I soared across the city on the Yokohama Air Cabin, strolled through shopping centers full of unique treats like custom KitKats, and ended the day with a classy French dinner by the bay 🌆.
🛍 I squeezed in a visit to a Hard Rock Café, took in the glowing skyline from my spacious hotel room, and explored Iseyama Kotaijingu, a peaceful Shinto shrine on a hilltop.
🍔 Bonus adventures included a Studio Ghibli shop in Haneda Airport Garden and my first-ever teriyaki Mos Burger — paired with a surprisingly tasty melon soda!
✈️ My Japan journey wrapped up at the airport with a final onigiri, last-minute souvenirs, and a scenic JAL flight home.
If you enjoyed this series, like, comment, and subscribe — more Japan content is coming soon!
🌍 It’s a big world, go see it.

Channel intro short:

Links to social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/count.grumpula
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retiredcountgrumpula
X: https://x.com/Count_Grumpula

Channels that helped me plan my trip:
@NinjaMonkeyguy
@OrientalPearl
@AbroadinJapan
@samurai_junjiro
@japanese_tanakasan
@NihongoDekita
@japanunravelled
@Ninjapanese

Chapters:
00:00 Intro and arrival to Yokohama
00:53 Training ship Nippon Maru
01:08 Local hotspots
01:19 Cup Noodles Museum
02:37 Cup Noodle Factory Experience
04:54 KitKat Chocolatory
05:08 Yokohama Air Cabin
06:23 Check-in
06:44 Dinner at Aux Bacchanales
07:13 Visit to Hard Rock
07:22 Nighttime view of the bay
07:30 Yokohama Civic Art Gallery
07:45 Iseyama Kotaijingu Shrine
08:28 Lunch at Tsukemen Mitaseimenjo
08:41 Train to Haneda
08:52 Arrival at Haneda
09:18 Check-in
09:34 Exploring Haneda Airport Garden
10:05 Headed to my gate
10:51 Takeoff
11:43 Arrival home / outro