Day trip to Yokohama

I'm planning a day trip to Yokohama from Shizuoka using the Youth 18 ticket on 20/03/2012. I'll likely reach Yokohama station around 9:30 am.

As suggested by japan-guide, I want to walk from Sakuragicho Station through Minato Mirai and then along the waterfront to Yamashita Park to Chinatown. I would also like to visit the Yamate area. How long would this walking tour take assuming a leisure pace? I'm also thinking of having lunch at Chinatown.

For the latter half of the day, I'm thinking of maybe the Ramen museum and/or one of the zoos because I think Sea Paradise would require a full day. Would there be enough time? I have to take the train back to Shizuoka from Yokohama by 2030. Nobeyama zoo is nearby Sukuragicho station and it is free admission, so I thought it may be a good idea, but Zoorasia sounds more interesting though quite a bit further away and hence may not have enough time? Is the ramen museum worth a visit? I'm a little greedy, if possible I would like to see the sunset and/or night view at the Minato Mirai area as well. Therefore, can anyone familiar with Yokohama suggest a possible itinerary in the afternoon-evening time?

Hello,
From Sakuragicho station to Yamate area, it would take about 1 hour by walk. But there are so many interesting spots on the way, so I’m sure it would take more than you expect.
Here is my suggestion.
Since Nogeyama Zoo is closing at 4:30p.m.(Open from 9：30a.m.), I would say that going to the zoo first is the best thing to do　 if you really wanna go to see a zoo. And, I guess the Ramen Museum is a nice place to visit, but since it is not on the way, here is another suggestion for you.
http://amazing-kanagawa.jp/english/2012/02/24/cupnoodles-museum-by-kwa...
this is a new noodle museum opened in the last year. (But March 20th is a national holiday and could be got crowded…)
If you go here, you can have a lunch at the restaurant in this building after enjoying the Zoo. (Or there are so many nice cafes or restaurants inside the shopping malls in the area)
Then, you can go the major spots, such as Red Brick Wsrehouse, Osanbashi, and Yamashita Park.
http://amazing-kanagawa.jp/english/2011/09/12/yokohama-red-brick-wareh...

I’m sure by the time you get to Yamashita park, you feel like wanna get some energy. So why don’t you take a rest in Motomachi area? There are also nice cafes on the street.
Also, you can enjoy shopping here.
If you wanna go check out Yamate area, it would be the nice timing since Yamate area is very close to the Motomachi shopping street.
There are famous visiting spots, such as Harbor View Park, Western style buildings, and so on.
http://amazing-kanagawa.jp/english/2011/10/14/go-for-a-stroll-%e2%80%9...

In the last, I suggest you to have a dinner at China town.
http://amazing-kanagawa.jp/english/2011/12/23/yokohama-chinatown-by-kw...

Since you have to leave Yokohama by 20:30, I guess you can’t go somewhere too far in this trip. This plan is not the one make you get in a rush, so hope you enjoy the atmosphere of Yokohama well through this trip.
Have a safe trip.

I'd second the recommendation for the Cup Noodles Museum - it's on your route, and it's actually a good place to stop for lunch. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to see the whole thing (exclusive of eating lunch).

Also somewhat along your route are the Mitsubishi Industrial Museum (http://whereintokyo.com/venues/25321.html ), the Yokohama Museum of Art, and the Nissan Gallery, plus several shopping malls. And there's a waterbus that runs along the bay that's kind of fun.

Thank you Ai and Umami Dearest for your suggestions. Looks like the Ramen museum is indeed a bit out of the way and the cup noodles museum might be the better choice. A bit concerned about the crowd like what Ai said because next Tuesday is a national holiday. Would you advise that I head for the museum straight after arriving in Yokohoma and backtrack to Nobeyama zoo (if there is time) before going on the Minato Mirai to Yamate journey? I'm not sure how big the zoo is, any idea how much time it may take there?

Seems that there are quite a bit of interesting places to visit in Yokohama city. I'll probably need to make the second, third visit next time! :-)