Yokohama Customs Museum — Attraction in Yokohama

I visited the Yokohama Customs Museum, and although it’s a small space, it’s packed with intriguing exhibits that offer a unique insight into the world of customs, smuggling, and border control.

One of the most interesting sections was the display comparing real and fake brand-name goods. They had side-by-side comparisons of authentic and counterfeit items, showing how customs officials can spot the fakes. It’s eye-opening to see how clever counterfeiters can be, and it gives you a new appreciation for the work customs officers do.

Another fascinating part of the museum was the exhibit on how smugglers attempt to sneak goods like gold and drugs into the country. The museum showcases the various creative (and sometimes absurd) ways people hide contraband, from false-bottomed luggage to hollowed-out shoes. It really makes you think about the challenges customs officers face in protecting borders and stopping...

The building was completed in 1934, serving as the headquarters for the customs office. From the planning stage, the building was intended to be visible from the sea. At its completion it was one of the tallest structures in Yokohama. The tower’s design features a turquoise‑domed “minaret”‑style spire and arches inspired by Islamic architecture, giving it a distinct, almost exotic appearance not common in Japanese civic buildings of the period.

It is popularly nicknamed the “Queen’s Tower”, one of the trio known as the Yokohama Three Towers (“King”, “Queen”, “Jack”) — the other two being the Kanagawa Prefectural Office (King) and the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (Jack). According to the local legend: seeing all three towers in one day supposedly grants a wish.

The building is still in use as a customs facility, but the museum portion is free to enter and open from around...

💊Don't do drugs, kids! 👀Go here instead!

😯This free museum gives you a chance to see some behind-the-scenes of Japan's Customs operations! It's a small-ish museum, but it packs a punch. History displays, drug gun and animal contraband smuggling displays, a security metal detector you can try, and even a stamp rally, it was really interesting! Plus there were really great anti-drug posters. As a non-criminal, I found it really interesting 🤣

🐶Plus, there's the adorable Japan Customs mascot Custom-Kun (カスタム君). This guy is all throughout the museum, he's so funny. Plus, he's got his own Instagram, I highly suggest you go check it out, it's really top tier Japan travel photography 🤣 @custom_kun

🇯🇵🇬🇧Most displays are in Japanese, but they have QR codes throughout for English!

💁🏼‍♀️I made an Instagram reel about this museum! Check it out, if you'd like 🐶...