Why did Yokohama become one of Japan’s major ports and trading centres?

Yokohama’s development into a major port and trading centre began in the mid-19th century following the Harris Treaty of 1858, which mandated the opening of Japanese ports to foreign trade.12

Although the nearby town of Kanagawa was initially designated as the port, the Japanese government sought to restrict foreign access to the Tōkaidō—a vital highway at the time. Consequently, the government chose to establish the port at the then-small fishing village of Yokohama. This location was selected for two primary reasons:12
* Isolation: It was situated away from the main highway, making it easier to police and separate foreign residents from the local population.12
* Geographic Advantage: It possessed a deepwater harbour that was superior to the one at Kanagawa.1

Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the area flourished as Japan expanded its international shipping and trade, leading to Yokohama's rapid growth into one of the country's most significant commercial hubs.1