With the opening of OMO7 Yokohama by Hoshino Resorts inside the former Yokohama City Hall, one of Japan’s most underrated port cities gains a captivating new hotel that blends architectural heritage, local culture and neighbourhood exploration under one roof.
Recently opened in the historic Japanese port city of Yokohama is OMO7 Yokohama by Hoshino Resorts, a 276-room hotel located within the new BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai redevelopment directly opposite Kannai Station as well as overlooking Yokohama Stadium. The property occupies the former Yokohama City Hall Administrative Building designed by celebrated architect Togo Murano that was recently designated Yokohama’s first postwar Historic Building.
The opening also represents a significant adaptive reuse project. Completed in 1959 as part of Yokohama Port’s centennial celebrations, the former City Hall served as the city’s administrative heart for more than six decades. Rather than replacing the structure, the redevelopment preserves many of its defining architectural elements, allowing the building to continue serving the public in a new capacity while showcasing to visitors an important part of the city’s history.
Indeed, OMO7 Yokohama seeks to introduce guests to the city’s distinctive identity as a historic crossroads between Japanese and international cultures with its concept, “Groove to Yokohama-ism”. Throughout the property, original architectural features have been retained and reinterpreted, including the former public hall’s grand staircase, period lighting references and sculptor Shindo Tsuji’s tile relief artwork “Sea, Waves, and Ships”, now integrated into its on-premise bakery.
Accommodation comprises 276 guestrooms across nine categories — ranging from 20sqm to 73sqm — designed to meet different traveller types. Interior design references the former City Hall through a palette inspired by original building elements, including the mayor’s office carpeting, ceramic wall tiles and council chamber seating. Larger room formats include the Yagura Suite, which accommodates up to six guests, while several room categories have even been specifically designed for travellers visiting with dogs.
Food and beverage facilities include OMO Bakery and OMO Dining. The bakery serves breakfast alongside a selection of curry breads inspired by Yokohama’s long association with Japanese curry culture, while the restaurant offers a menu incorporating local favourites such as Napolitan pasta and doria alongside dishes reflecting the city’s blend of Japanese, Western and Chinese culinary influences.
As with other OMO properties — such as nearby sister property OMO5 Yokohama Bashamichi right by the waterfront — neighbourhood exploration remains central to the guest experience. The brand’s Go-KINJO programme connects visitors with local guides known as OMO Rangers, who curate walking tours and insider recommendations designed to encourage deeper engagement with the surrounding district. A dedicated Yokohama-ism Collection within the hotel further introduces guests to the city’s cultural evolution over the past six decades.
Evenings at the property centres around “Yokohama Grooving Night”, a rooftop programme held on the HAMAKAZE Terrace. Featuring live music, craft beer and light dining, the experience draws inspiration from Yokohama’s longstanding role as an early entry point for Western music and cultural influences in Japan.
While international visitors continue to concentrate on Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Yokohama remains one of Japan’s most underrated gateway cities. The opening of OMO7 Yokohama arrives as Yokohama undergoes a broader transformation — with the BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai development positioned as a new centre for business, culture and entertainment —and offering an attractive base from which to rediscover a destination that has long deserved greater attention.
To find out more about OMO7 Yokohama by Hoshino Resorts or to book a stay, visit: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/omo7yokohama.
[Photo credits: ©︎Hoshino Resorts]
Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!
