Sound of waves. Coffee at a glass-fronted cafe. Creative evening illuminations. Terrace facing a spectacular bayside view. These are just few things you can experience at Zo no Hana Park, Yokohama.

Zo no Hana Park and Cafe
1-1-1 Kaigandōri, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Access: Minato Mirai Line (Nihon Odori Station, 5 mins walk), Keihin Tohoku and Yokohama Subway (Kannai Station, 16 mins walk)
Website Google Maps

Locally-sourced foods are served in the cafe such as Sandwich with 3 kinds of Kamakura ham (¥780), Tomato Keema Curry (¥750) and Fried Pizza (¥600).

A very creative place to do some coding, writing or brainstorming. You can bring a book or just sit down and enjoy the view.

Then have some stroll outside to see the magnificent view of the bayside. Zo no Hana was the site of the landing point of Commodore Perry on his second visit to Japan from the United States on March 31st, 1854 and is said to be the birthplace of Yokohama Port.

By the evening, an artistic illumination can be watched at the park. With the cool breeze and the relaxing sound of the waves, evening is the best times to have some walk here in Zo no Hana.

Walking back towards Nihon Odori Station to ride the train, I saw the astonishing view of Yokohama’s European-inspired building, such as the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (Jack’s Tower).

It was surely a very creative afternoon and a relaxing evening. Oyasumi nasai.

Just a walking distance from Amsterdam’s Begijnhof, is a cafe at the top – Blue Amsterdam is a very nice, cozy cafe where you can see a panoramic, 360º view of Amsterdam.

Blue Amsterdam (Cafe – Midrange, opens 10AM)
Winkelcentrum Kalverpassage, Singel 457, 1012 WP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Access: Bicycle (Recommended), Tram (From Koningsplein – 2 mins walk), Train (Amsterdan Centraal, 20 mins walk)
Website Google Maps

Enjoy the panoramic view of Amsterdam and have some coffee while watching the breathtaking view. In my case, I ordered their all day scrambled eggs and a glass of their fresh, homemade tea.

Scrambled Eggs and Home Made Iced Tea (~€20)
All Day Breakfast
With fresh green herbs, spinach and locally smoked salmon

A very “gezellig” place indeed. A Dutch word I learned that is used by locals that cannot be translated, but close to “cozy” or “friendly” words in English. And you can surely see people here experiencing a gezellig time – people having conversation with their friends, and a few enjoying the view alone while reading a book or finishing a work or project.

I tried to do some coding work myself while I’m here but I cannot resist going around to watch the full view of Amsterdam.

Blue Amsterdam has binoculars you can use to see the view further. On their glass window, you can also see a little map of the places of interest. You can see this little map on all 4 directions – North, West, East and South View.

Definitely, a place to go back to when I visit Amsterdam again. 🙂