YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN Sakuragicho Station — Attraction in Yokohama

The Yokohama Air Cabin was a really enjoyable experience and offered a wonderful view of the city and the bay area. Even though I visited during Golden Week, which is usually one of the busiest holiday periods in Japan, the queues were surprisingly short and well managed. It didn’t take long before I was able to board, which made the whole experience smooth and stress-free.

I recommend purchasing the package ticket that includes both the Air Cabin and the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel. This way you can enjoy two different perspectives of Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area—one from above the bay and another from high up overlooking the skyline. It really makes the visit more complete.

The facilities and equipment are modern, clean, and well maintained, giving a sense of safety and comfort throughout the ride. The staff were also very kind and attentive. Since I don’t speak Japanese fluently, I appreciated that they were patient and helped me in English, which made the process a lot easier.

If there’s one thing to mention, it would be the ride duration. The gondola moves at a steady pace, but because the route is relatively short, the whole experience doesn’t last very long compared to the ticket price. I understand they cannot really make it slower or extend the track, but it did feel a little quick for how much you pay.

Still, if you’re in Yokohama, I would recommend trying it at least once. It’s a unique way to cross between Sakuragicho Station and the waterfront area, and the view—especially around sunset—is...

You look up, you see these futuristic gondolas sliding over the harbor like some Bond villain’s commute. Slick, Instagrammable, efficient...Japan at its best. Then you look at the price: ¥1,000 one-way. For five minutes. That’s $9 for a commute you could replace with a 10-minute stroll across a bridge that’s free and arguably healthier for your cardiovascular system.

This is the problem with pricing in tourist traps: when the price crosses the line from “experience” to “extraction.” A train in Tokyo? A few bucks. The Yurikamome ride across Rainbow Bridge? Four bucks and you actually go somewhere. The Air Cabin? You go 600 meters, and the only thing lighter than the gondola is your wallet.

We skipped it...like the locals do. Why? Because paying $9 for what amounts to the “Uber Black” version of a 10-minute walk feels absurd. If they pegged it to the price of a train ticket, fine. But at this rate, it’s the LVMH of public transport—luxury branding slapped on something utilitarian.

The weather was perfect, the walk was free, and the view? Identical. The Air Cabin is less a ride and more a tax on FOMO.

Verdict: Pretty from a distance. Better for your legs, lungs, and wallet if...

This is our first urban ropeway experience. The place is clean and implements coronavirus safety protocols (mask, disinfectant & temperature check). Staff were friendly and accommodating. We paid 1,800 yen each for the round-trip ticket (You can only use once). We got on Sakuragi-cho Station. Each gondola can accommodate 8 persons according to their website. There were 6 of us and we were expecting to ride with 2 other persons we didn’t know but they did it in groups so we were able to really enjoy it as a family. I think 8pax per car is too much as we barely had spaces in between. I also saw a couple get on and they got the whole gondola to themselves. I wonder if it’s really how they operate or just because of coronavirus measures. It is quite pricey for a relatively short ride (630m one way). We got off Unga Park Station right beside World Porters and few meters away from Cosmo World & Cup Noodle Museum. Too bad it was really gloomy when we went there. We also couldn’t wait for nighttime as we have other places to go to that day but I would bet the view is...