As a result of trade agreements with Western nations in 1854 and 1858, Japan established a few treaty ports, and foremost among them was Yokohama. When Beato began to work there in 1863, this quiet fishing village was rapidly developing into a bustling port for foreign trade and visitors.
Yokohama became the first port-of-call for Americans and Europeans arriving by sea. It had a deep harbor fronted by the Bund, or commercial street, where one could find the customs house, warehouses, and the Grand Hotel, in which Beato was an original investor. For foreigners, Yokohama offered Western-style houses, plentiful curio shops, and even a new red light district.
Beato made many photographs of Yokohama, including his masterful panoramas. This difficult format, one of his specialties, involved turning the camera in increments to take a series of shots that would fit seamlessly together in the final panoramic view.