Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Yokohama 2010

This photo is from 2006 but I am not sure that that was the last time I attended the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Motomachi. Maybe. Anyway, this year the Parade is being held on the 20th of March between 1pm and 4pm. I suggest going a little early rather than a little late as in my experience the parade doesn’t take the three hours and you might just miss out. There will be crowds of people but not so many as to be too uncomfortable or that you won’t be able to see anything.

After the parade you should head over to Benny’s Place for a bit of craic.

Design a poster for the Yokohama Port Opening Festival

I didn’t notice any mention of a prize but it would be pretty cool to have your design used for the official Yokohama Port Opening Festival poster. There is only one winner which kind of makes sense. I mean, how many posters do they need? My guess is one.
You can find more details here: http://www.yoke.or.jp/englishblog/diarypro/diary.cgi?no=1051. The link on the page was broken but you can check out the Japanese Port Opening Festival Page here: Kaikousai.com.

YOKE launches web site

If you have been in Yokohama for any length of time you have probably come across YOKE. YOKE publishes a monthly newsletter informing Yokohama residents of events and activities happening around Japan as well as practical information about how to get health checks and legal advice etc. The Yokohama Echo, as the newsletter is called is published in several languages and it used to have interesting articles about Yokohama. Actually a friend of mine used to write them regularly as part of his job and I even wrote a couple myself. These days though, the creative writing has been dropped in favor of pure information. It’s a pity in my opinion but at least the Yokohama Echo is still published. There were rumors that it was going to end.

Anyway YOKE has a new web site so now you don’t have to worry about not being able to get your hands on the Echo. If you miss an issue just check out: http://www.yoke.or.jp/english/index.html

Star Wars Chop Sabers

This is not the first time Star Wars and Japanese culture have mixed (see: Darth Vader vs. Japanese Police) but it is a fun combination. Think Geek just told me about these items so it is a mystery that they are sold out. It does say on the Think Geek website that they are imported from Japan though so you may be able to find them over here. I think they would make a great gift for Star Wars fanboys and Japanophiles alike. Officially licensed Star Wars chopsticks. Who’d a thunk? Now you just have to fight over who gets to be Darth Vader.

Santa Claus goes diving at Hakkeijima

Seasonal events are quite common at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise and Christmas is no exception. This year they have what looks like a female Santa Claus diving with the white dolphins and giving them presents (food) from her sack. It has been reported as far away as the BBC in England and here is the video they showed.

In the original article they call it Kakkeijima rather than Hakkeijima.

Yokohama Immigration Office Has Moved

This is a bit of bad news for many people living in Yokohama and good news for a few people possibly. The Yokohama District Immigration Office moved from its central city location near Motomachi to Kanazawa on June 1st of this year. The new location:

Kanagawa ken, Yokohama Shi, Kanazawa ku, Torihama cho 10-7
神奈川県横浜市金沢区鳥浜町10-7

Phone: 045-769-1720 (General Affairs Division)
045-769-0230 (Foreigner Residence General Information Center Yokohama)

(Official link)

Transportation: At the bus terminal of JR Keihintohoku/Negishi Line station “Shin-Sugita”, use the Yokohama Kotsu Kaihatsu bus line “Torihama 61” and get off at the new bus stop Nyukokukanrikyoku-mae” (about 15 minute bus ride)

Japanese Notice (.pdf)

Information c/o Living in Yokohama Yahoo Group

Video: Yokohama Salaryman Dances

It’s not the first time I have seen some strange occurrences in Yokohama but it is one of the first times that I have been quick enough to pull out my mobile phone and switch on the video camera. Pity I didn’t have the presence of mind to check the quality.

This video was taken about 3 or 4 minutes walk from Yokohama Station just outside the building where I occasionally work. It is hard to see but it looked like he was listening to some sort of portable music player.

http://www.vimeo.com/5072052

Zo no Hana Photo Gallery

As mentioned on Yokohama Living, Zo no Hana Park was officially opened on June 2nd and while we couldn’t get down there for the opening ceremony or the events we did get down there to grab a few snaps. It was a little crowded though and we didn’t have much time so we will get back down there for more photos when we get the time. While the park is smaller and plainer than I had imagined it is still a nice addition to Yokohama’s waterfront and it is just a couple of minutes from Aka Renga on foot.

Kaiwo Maru Sail Training Ship in Yokohama

There are quite a lot of ships in Yokohama this season, some of which have already been mentioned here on Yokohama Living such as the Cuautemoc sail training ship from Mexico. (Check out some photos of Cuautemoc.) Japan’s own Kaiwo Maru II was also here for a short time and I managed to snap a few photos a few days ago. It was here as part of the Port Opening Festival (Kaikousai).

Google Celebrates Yokohama

A bit late telling you about this because I was busy the day it it happened but I did get a screenshot so you can appreciate that even Google could celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the port of Yokohama. As far as I know it was only on google.jp and not other international sites which is a pity but of course better than nothing.

I am guessing the images on the left is a scene of the arrival of Commodore Perry on the shores of Yokohama with an image of one of the Black Ships next to it dominating the picture. The images on the right are reflecting modern Yokohama with an image of Landmark Tower and finally Cosmoworld’s Ferris Wheel.

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