Known as one of the most popular seaside areas in Japan. It can easily be reached by either car or by trains. Yokohama was the first seaport that opened to the world in 1909 and since then many different cultures came into the country through this area. You could say, that the modernization of the country started in Yokohama. Before then, the area was a small fishing village. When foreign people started living in the area, they carved out the hills for the new residential area, which is now called "Yamate (Yamate Bluff)".
There are a couple of parks in the area and people from other cities visit them on weekends, such as "Minato no mieru oka Kouen (the Harbor View Park)", or Negishi Shinrin Kouen, where Japan's first horserace course was built. YMCA, which often serves as a social place, is located in the area, so you could say that this is a suitable residential area for international people.
The houses in this area are mostly western-style, large and with gardens. This is not the perfect spot for cycling since the area is built on a hill and has slopes everywhere.
In February 2004, the new Minato Mirai Line was opened and has made the trip to Shibuya as short as 35 minutes from Motomachi, Yokohama.

Honmoku area

Compared to other city areas, the streets in HONMOKU are fairly wide and most of the facilities have its own parking area. This is a hilly district where the U.S. army base used to be. There is a famous park called "Sankeien" and is visited for cherry trees in Spring, and color-changing leaves in Fall. Many people also visit the Symbol Tower on the Pier in Honmoku-Futo for its ocean view, or the entertainment area known as "MYCAL Honmoku" for shopping and dining.