Yokosuka facts for kids

For other uses, see Yokosuka (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids

Yokosuka

横須賀市

Top: View of downtown Yokosuka from Verny Seaside Park, Middle: Mikasa Battleship Monument and Heihachirō Togō Statue, Kurihama Matthew Perry Park, Bottom: Yokosuka Naval Curry, Kannon Cape, and seaside park (all item for left to right)

Flag

Seal

Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture

Yokosuka

Location in Japan

Japan

Area

• Total

100.81 km² (38.92 sq mi)

Population

(February 1, 2024)

• Total

373,797

• Density

3,708/km² (9,600/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+09:00

Postal code

238-8550

Area code

14201-8

Yokosuka (横須賀市, Yokosuka-shi) is a lively city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It sits on the Miura Peninsula, with beautiful views of Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay.

As of February 2024, about 373,797 people live in Yokosuka. It is one of the biggest cities in the Greater Tokyo Area. Yokosuka is also famous for being home to a large U.S. Navy base.

Exploring Yokosuka's Geography

Yokosuka covers most of the Miura Peninsula. It has the mouth of Tokyo Bay to its east. To the west, it faces Sagami Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

View of Mount Fuji and downtown Yokosuka, seen from Uraga Channel

Neighboring Cities and Towns

Yokosuka shares its borders with several other places:

Hayama
Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
Miura
Zushi

A Look at Yokosuka's History

Yokosuka has a long and interesting history, going back thousands of years.

Early History of Yokosuka

People have lived in the Yokosuka area for a very long time. Scientists have found old stone tools and pottery from ancient times. During the Heian period, a local leader named Muraoka Tamemichi built Kinugasa Castle in 1063. His family, the Miura clan, ruled this area for hundreds of years.

Later, an English sailor named William Adams arrived in Japan in 1600. He was the first British person to reach Japan. He landed in Uraga, which is part of modern Yokosuka. Because he helped the Tokugawa shogunate, he was given the title of samurai. You can find a monument to him in Yokosuka today.

During the Edo period, Yokosuka was very important. It was at the entrance to Tokyo Bay. All ships entering the bay had to stop there for checks. To protect Japan from foreign ships, the government built many coastal artillery batteries. However, in 1853, U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew Perry arrived with his "Black Ships." He landed in Kurihama, Yokosuka, which led to Japan opening up to the world.

Construction of the Yokosuka arsenal c. 1870

The government decided to build a modern naval base in Yokosuka. They hired a French engineer, Léonce Verny, in 1865. He helped build the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, which was Japan's first modern shipyard. This was a big step for Japan's industry.

Yokosuka from Meiji Period to Today

After the Meiji Restoration, the Imperial Japanese Navy took over the arsenal. Yokosuka grew, and in 1907, it officially became a city. The Yokosuka Line railway opened in 1889, connecting Yokosuka to Tokyo.

In the early 1900s, Yokosuka's naval base continued to expand. Many warships, including battleships and aircraft carriers, were built here. The Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal also developed and tested many planes for the navy.

The Great Kantō earthquake in 1923 caused a lot of damage to Yokosuka. Despite this, the city kept growing by adding nearby towns and villages.

The U.S. Navy base at Yokosuka

During World War II, Yokosuka was bombed by American planes in 1942. However, it did not suffer much damage. Many tunnels and caves were built around the naval base for safety. These tunnels were used for secret work, hospitals, and factories. After Japan surrendered in 1945, American forces took over the naval base. The U.S. Navy has used it ever since.

Since the 1950s, United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka has been a home port for the United States Seventh Fleet. It played a key role in supporting the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also has a military port here. Because of these bases, many Americans and Filipinos live in Yokosuka.

In 2001, Yokosuka was named a core city. This means it has more control over its own local government.

Yokosuka's Economy and Industries

Yokosuka is an important industrial city. Its military facilities bring a lot of business.

Major Industries in Yokosuka

Nissan Motors has a large factory in Yokosuka called the Oppama plant. Thousands of people work there. Cars like the Nissan Leaf, Nissan Cube, and Nissan Juke are made at this factory. The plant started in 1961. It is next to Nissan's research center and a port where cars are shipped.

Every May, Yokosuka hosts a popular festival celebrating Japanese curry. About 50,000 people come to enjoy it each year.

Technology and Research

The Yokosuka Research Park opened in 1997. It is a big center for Japan's telecommunications industry. Many companies that work on wireless and mobile communication have their research and development centers here.

Population and People of Yokosuka

Yokosuka's population grew until around 1990, and then it started to slowly decrease. Many foreign citizens live in Yokosuka. These include people from the Philippines, Korea, China, and the United States.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1920	96,351	—
1930	110,301	+14.5%
1940	237,523	+115.3%
1950	250,533	+5.5%
1960	287,309	+14.7%
1970	347,576	+21.0%
1980	421,107	+21.2%
1990	433,358	+2.9%
2000	428,645	−1.1%
2010	418,325	−2.4%
2020	388,078	−7.2%

Getting Around Yokosuka: Transportation

Yokosuka has good transportation options, especially by train and road.

Train Lines in Yokosuka

JR East – Yokosuka Line
- Taura – Yokosuka – Kinugasa – Kurihama
Keikyu Main Line
- Oppama – Keikyū Taura – Anjinzuka – Hemi – Shioiri – Yokosuka-Chūō – Kenritsu Daigaku – Horinouchi – Keikyū Ōtsu – Mabori-Kaigan – Uraga
Keikyu Kurihama Line
- Horinouchi – Shin-Ōtsu – Kita-Kurihama – Keikyū Kurihama – YRP Nobi – Keikyū Nagasawa – Tsukuihama

Major Roads in Yokosuka

National Route 16
National Route 134
National Route 357

Learning in Yokosuka: Education

Yokosuka has many schools for students of all ages.

Schools in the City

The city's public elementary and junior high schools are managed by the Yokosuka Education System. Many of the public high schools, like Yokosuka High School, are run by the Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education. The city also has its own high school, Yokosuka Sogo High School.

Community and Global Connections

Yokosuka has special relationships with cities around the world.

Sister Cities of Yokosuka

Yokosuka is connected to these cities:

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States (since 1962)
Brest, France (since 1970)
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia (since 1979)
Medway, Kent, UK (since 1998)
Mazyr, Belarus (since 2008)
Bharatpur, Nepal, Nepal (since 2023)

Friendship City

Yokosuka also has a friendship city relationship with:

Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan (since 2005)

Fun Places to Visit in Yokosuka

Yokosuka offers many interesting spots for visitors and locals alike.

Yokosuka Museum of Art, design by Riken Yamamoto in 2007

Islands and Historical Sites

Sarushima is an island in Tokyo Bay that you can reach by ferry from Yokosuka. It's a great place to explore.
The Mikasa is a famous warship preserved in Yokosuka. It was the flagship of Admiral Togo during the Battle of Tsushima. You can visit it as a museum and learn about its history.

Shopping and Entertainment

"The Honch" is a popular area just outside the U.S. Naval Base. It's known for its shops and restaurants, and it's a favorite spot for both tourists and sailors.
The Yokosuka Arts Theatre is a place where you can enjoy opera, concerts, and movies.
Dobuita Street is near the U.S. naval base and has a strong American feel. Many shops accept U.S. dollars. In the evenings, it becomes a lively area with bars and clubs.

Unique Local Culture

Yokosuka is known as the birthplace of sukajan jackets. These are special satin bomber jackets with embroidery, and they make a popular souvenir.

Famous People from Yokosuka

Many talented individuals, from politicians to artists and athletes, have come from Yokosuka.

Leaders and Public Figures

Junichiro Koizumi, a former Prime Minister of Japan.
Yoriko Madoka, a politician.
Yūto Yoshida, a politician.

Artists and Entertainers

Hitoshi Ashinano, a manga artist.
hide, a famous musician.
Kikuko Inoue, a voice actress.
Kotaro Koizumi, an actor.
Yōsuke Kubozuka, an actor.
MAA, a singer.
MadeinTYO, a rapper.

Sports Stars

Isao Inokuma, an Olympic gold medalist in judo.
Junya Ito, a football player.
Mark Muñoz, a mixed martial artist.
Rei Nishiyama, an Olympic gold medalist in softball.
Cameron Thomas, a professional basketball player.
Caol Uno, a professional mixed martial artist.