Year-end and New Year’s Eve luxury stay at InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8: Watch the first sunrise from your room and enjoy a special and memorable time with your family.

Introduction of InterContinental Yokohama Pier8

Located in the Minato Mirai area of Yokohama’s port city, InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 is a hotel in a rare maritime location surrounded by the sea. Located near the Yokohama Hammerhead, this hotel offers the open views that only a low-rise facility built at the tip of a pier can provide. It offers an elegant stay that is just like a boat trip. You can check detailed room information and event schedule on the official website. Please visit the official InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 website. You can also make reservations through IHG ‘s global website.

The hotel has been awarded 1 MICHELIN Key in the first Michelin Key hotel selection published in 2024. This rating is given to hotels that offer exceptional hospitality and a unique experience, making Yokohama a luxury hotel to watch. For more information on the Michelin Guide, click here. Michelin Guide: InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and Yokohama Chinatown are nearby for strolling. For more information on Yokohama Hammerhead, please visit the official Yokohama Hammerhead website.

The appeal of spending the year-end and New Year’s holidays in a relaxing hotel

During the year-end and New Year’s holidays, families want to spend some quiet time together. In this context, we chose the InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 because of its location with an exclusive view of the ocean. From the moment you check in, you are warmly welcomed by the staff, and upon entering your room, you are greeted by a spacious atmosphere. If you choose a room with a bay view, you can overlook the calm waters of Yokohama Harbor from the window, making you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.

On New Year’s Eve, we enjoyed dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. The menu is impressive, with dishes that make the most of seafood and fresh local ingredients. While some plan to welcome the New Year with fireworks and ship whistles from the rooftop during the countdown event, we opted to spend the night in the privacy of our room. This flexible way of spending time is perfect for families. When making reservations, check the official website for special year-end and New Year’s plans, which often include special offers. For example, some include shaken sake and special amenities.

As for hotel facilities, we recommend using the Club Lounge. You can enjoy breakfast and afternoon tea, and relax on a comfortable sofa with a view of the ocean. If you are traveling with children, it is convenient to request cribs and extra towels in advance. In addition, parking is available, so access by car is easy. It is within walking distance from Minato Mirai Station, but you can arrive without worrying about luggage by taking a cab.

The excitement of the first sunrise viewed from the room

The biggest highlight of this hotel is the view of the first sunrise from your room. The sun rising over the horizon of Yokohama Harbor is a spectacular sight, with the sky and water tinted orange against a backdrop of buildings. Positioned near the Hammerhead, the view is clear and unobstructed. We reserved a room on the bay view side and shared the moment when the morning light filled the room with just our family. The time of sunrise changes slightly each year, but in the case of Yokohama, it is around 7:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The trick is to check the weather forecast in advance and aim for clear skies.

What I felt when I actually experienced it was that it is not only beautiful, but also a special time for family bonding. Seeing the children excitedly gather at the window to watch the sun rise silently was a memorable experience. Rooftop views are an option, but private views from the room can be enjoyed without worrying about the cold. As photography tips, adjust the curtains to prevent reflections on the window glass and use the HDR mode on your smartphone to get beautiful shots. Yokohama Port Symbol Tower is also a popular spot for the first sunrise in the area, but staying at a hotel is a luxury without the need to travel.

What I have learned from these experiences is that natural events such as the first sunrise are even more impressive when they are greeted in a comfortable environment. It is well worth it to relax and enjoy the morning light, which we tend to miss in our busy lives. Don’t forget to specify your view when you make your reservation. Rates vary, but discounts may be available for early reservations.

Michelin-keyed hotel service and value for money

The InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 has been awarded one Michelin Key, and the level of service is high. From the welcome drink at check-in to the quality of room service, the attention to detail is evident. Prices are more expensive during the peak season during the year-end and New Year holidays, but it is worth it. For example, there is a wide range of options from around 50,000 yen per night for a standard room to suites, and connecting rooms for families are also convenient.

During our stay, the beds were comfortable and the bath amenities were of high quality, making us feel refreshed. The bathrooms are spacious, and bath time with a view of the ocean is the ultimate in relaxation. The higher price tag means more inclusive services and lower additional costs. As a cost-effective tip, you can earn points by becoming a member of the IHG Rewards Club and use them for your next stay. Reservations are recommended around November to avoid crowds during the holiday season.

Overall, although the hotel is rather expensive, the environment where you can spend time with your family is priceless. The appeal of this unusual space away from everyday life is that you can obtain spiritual fulfillment. If you want to keep your budget low, aim for weekdays during the off-season.

Taste the tradition at the lion dance event on New Year’s Day

The lion dance event held on the lobby floor on New Year’s morning is one of the hotel’s traditional hospitality offerings. Guests can enjoy a parade of lions accompanied by a lively musical performance, wishing them good luck in the New Year. My family and I participated in the event and had the lion bite our heads off. This is known as a good luck charm to ward off evil spirits, and the kids loved it. The event is free and open to guests, and although it is only for a short time in the morning, there are plenty of photo opportunities.

These traditional events are popular with guests from overseas as they combine the culture typical of Yokohama’s port city. At the same time, sake shaken and New Year’s decorations adorn the lobby, creating a festive atmosphere. If you wish to attend the event, please come to the lobby early to avoid the crowds. Hotel staff will guide you through the process, making it easy to enjoy the event. The strength of the InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 is that these events offer a cultural experience that goes beyond a simple overnight stay.

Through the experience, I felt the comfort of modern luxury and Japanese traditions in harmony. The opportunity to experience culture on a family vacation is highly recommended for its educational value. Please check the event schedule on the official website in advance.

Private Wisdom Summary

Our New Year’s holiday stay at the InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 was a special choice to enrich our private family time. The first sunrise from the room, the Michelin-key level service, and the lion dance event were all memorable experiences. The price is high, but the quiet luxury you get for it is something to cherish as everyday wisdom. Why not welcome the New Year with your loved ones at a seaside hotel? These private moments will enrich your life.