Minami-ku is one of the 18 wards of the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The character for this ward means South. Its name derives from the fact that it is located south of Naka-ku (However, since its naming, Nishi-ku (West Ward) has become a separate ward from Naka-ku (Center Ward), and thus, when viewed in comparison with the present-day Naka-ku, Minami-ku is located in the west).