Richmond Hotel Yokohama-Bashamichi — more space than you expect at a business hotel price
You know the feeling — you book a 3-star hotel in Japan, open the door, and find a room so cramped you can barely turn around. Richmond Hotel Yokohama-Bashamichi is one of those places that spares you that disappointment. Single rooms here run ~16 sqm, noticeably bigger than most budget-tier competitors at a similar price. It scores 8.5 from 2,721 reviews and sits at ranked #7 out of 115 hotels across Yokohama — and it sits in the Bashamichi district, one of the most photogenic neighbourhoods in the city, a 4-min walk from Bashamichi Station on the Minato Mirai Line.
Richmond Hotel is a Japanese business hotel chain that domestic travellers turn to again and again when travelling within Japan — for a simple reason: rooms run larger than rival chains at a similar price point. The Yokohama-Bashamichi branch bears that out. A Single room is ~16 sqm, noticeably bigger than a Toyoko Inn or Sotetsu Fresa at a comparable rate. There is actually room to lay your suitcase flat, spread out your things, and move around without sidling past your own luggage. The bathroom, too, is designed to feel usable rather than claustrophobic — a clear step above the tightest budget-hotel rooms in the city.
"Guests who have stayed here consistently say the same thing: spotlessly clean, room bigger than expected, staff professional and genuinely helpful."
The location puts you in Bashamichi, Naka-ku — widely regarded as one of Yokohama's most attractive neighbourhoods. The streets are lined with Meiji-era brick buildings and Western-style architecture, and the atmosphere for an evening stroll is hard to beat. From the hotel you can walk to Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga) in about 10 minutes and continue along the Minato Mirai waterfront in the same direction, making it one of the most pleasant evening walks in the city — no need to board a train at all.
For getting around, Bashamichi Station on the Minato Mirai Line is a 4-min walk. The line runs directly into Yokohama Station — the city's main rail hub, where you can transfer to JR or Keikyu lines for Tokyo or the airport — and also continues to Kannai (Chinatown / Yamashita Park) further along the same line. Bashamichi is not on the JR network directly, but a transfer at Yokohama Station is straightforward and quick.
A score of 8.5 on HotelsCombined (2,721 reviews) and 8.1 on Booking (1,763 reviews) tells you this place delivers on what it promises. The most praised aspects are cleanliness, room size, and professional staff. Richmond Hotel has a reputation for efficient, attentive service — check-in is smooth, queries are handled promptly, and Japanese domestic travellers in particular rate this branch especially highly.
Being honest about the downsides — rates from ¥9,500/night put it above Toyoko Inn or Sotetsu Fresa in Yokohama by a reasonable margin. If you are on a strictly limited budget there are cheaper options. But what you gain in return is meaningfully more floor space, a bathroom that does not feel like a phone box, and a genuinely pleasant neighbourhood to come home to. If you are staying several nights or travelling with larger bags, that difference is well worth it.
One thing to keep in mind before you book — during Minato Mirai events such as the Yokohama Triennale, fireworks festivals, or waterfront fairs, Richmond Hotel Bashamichi fills up fast and prices climb sharply. The location within walking distance of the event zone makes it very popular during those periods. If you plan to visit during one of these events, book as soon as your dates are set — do not wait.
In short, Richmond Hotel Yokohama-Bashamichi is the right pick for couples or travellers who want genuinely usable room space at a business-hotel price, or anyone arriving with larger luggage who needs to spread out properly. The Bashamichi district adds real value for guests who enjoy attractive surroundings and waterfront evening walks — and at around ¥9,500/night, it represents a solid sweet spot among Yokohama business hotels.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Single rooms ~16 sqm — noticeably wider than most business hotels at this price
- ✓ Bashamichi district is beautiful — Red Brick Warehouse and Minato Mirai both walkable
- ✓ Professional staff, efficient check-in and check-out
- ✓ Bathroom design is comfortable, not cramped like the very cheapest budget hotels
- ! From ¥9,500/night — higher than the cheapest budget options on the list
- ! Bashamichi is not on the JR mainline — transfer required at Yokohama Station
- ! Fills fast and rates spike during Minato Mirai events
- ✓ Consistently praised as spotlessly clean with rooms bigger than expected
- ✓ Professional, attentive staff — highly rated by both domestic and international guests
- ✓ Ranked #7 of 115 Yokohama hotels — reliably consistent quality
- ✓ Bashamichi neighbourhood is far more pleasant for evening strolls than a busy station area
- ! Rates are a little above the average for budget hotels in Yokohama
- ! No free breakfast — you will need to go out or pay extra
- ! Rooms fill quickly during high season and Minato Mirai event periods
- 💡If budget is extremely tight — rates from ¥9,500 are noticeably higher than Toyoko Inn or Sotetsu Fresa → if you are only staying one or two nights and spend most of your time out, a cheaper chain closer to a JR mainline station may make more sense.
- 💡If you need a direct JR mainline connection — Bashamichi is on the Minato Mirai Line only, requiring a transfer at Yokohama Station → not a major inconvenience, but if your itinerary involves frequent multi-line transfers, a hotel near Yokohama Station itself might save time.
- 💡If you are visiting during a Minato Mirai event or long holiday weekend — rooms fill quickly and prices jump → book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, do not leave it until close to departure.