YOKOHAMA, a seaport of Japan on the west shore of Tokyo Bay, 18 m. south of Tokyo by rail. It stands on a plain shut in by hills, one of which, towards the south-east, terminates in a promontory called Honmoku-misaki or Treaty Point. The temperature ranges from 95° to F, and the mean temperature is The cold in winter is severe, owing to north winds, while the heat is great in summer, though tempered by south-west sea breezes. The rainfall is about 7o in. annually. In 1859, when the neighbouring town of Kanagawa was opened to foreigners un der the treaty with the United States, Yokohama was an insig nificant fishing village; and notwithstanding the protests of the foreign representatives the Japanese government shortly after wards chose the latter place as the settlement instead of Kana gawa. Pop. (1930) 620,306. The Japanese government con structed public works, and excellent water was supplied from the Sagamigawa. The foreign settlement has well-constructed streets, but the wealthier foreigners reside south of the town, on the Bluff. The land occupied by foreigners was leased to them by the Japanese government, 20% of the annual rent being set aside for municipal expenses.
The harbour, which is a part of Tokyo Bay, is good and commodious, somewhat exposed, but enclosed by two break waters. The average depth in the harbour at high water is about 46 ft., with a fall of tide of about 8 ft. Rice, metal, woollen and cotton goods are the chief imports; and silk, silk goods and tea are the chief exports. The town was almost obliterated by an earthquake in Sept. 1923. Many thousands of its inhabitants were killed, some 8o% of the houses were destroyed.
The starting-point of reconstruction was the new railway sta tion on the coast, and the widening of 25 m. of existing streets and the building of 29 m. of new streets was undertaken. Rail ways have been restored, and plans for their further reconstruc tion are in hand. During the earthquake about a mile of the breakwater sank 8 ft. and most of the wharves were destroyed. The repair of the docks and harbour has been completed.