Yokohama Living » Activities

Fireworks in Yokohama Summer 2008

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:53:21 +0000

There are going to be several fireworks displays in Yokohama this summer. Here is a list of the bigger ones starting from tomorrow.

Minato Mirai Yokohama
July 20 — 19:30 to 20:40 Launched from barges off Yamashita Park, the fireworks can best be viewed from Rinko Park, Red Brick Warehouse and Yamashita Park accessible from Minatomirai, Bashamichi and Nippon-Odori stations on the Minatomirai Line or if you don’t mind walking a little, the JR Sakuragicho Station.

Number of fireworks: 6,000

Kanagawa Shimbun, Yokohama

Aug. 1 — 19:15 to 20:30 At Rinko Park near Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line.

Number of fireworks: 8,000

Tsurumi River, Yokohama

Aug. 23 — from 19:30 At Tsukuno Park near Tsurumi Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.

Number of fireworks: 1,000

Kanazawa, Yokohama

Aug. 23 — 19:00-20:00 At Umi-no-Koen (Sea Park) in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, near Umi-no-Koen Shiba-Guchi, Umi-no-Koen Minami-Guchi and Nippon-Odori stations on the Seaside Line.

Number of fireworks: 3,500

Tour of Zoorasia Video

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:53:24 +0000

This a video of Zoorasia for those who want to know what they can expect of this zoo before they go or perhaps to remind themselves of what a good time they had when they were there. The video is not the best in the world and does drag on a bit but you do get to see and here what Zoorasia is like. When I was there though it was much quieter. I love to go to these places on weekdays. Anyway, thanks to Andrew Shuttleworth for making and sharing this video.

[vimeo]402059[/vimeo]

For more information about Yokohama’s Zoorasia be sure to check out our guide to Zoorasia.

Yokohama Nogeyama Zoo

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:37:38 +0000

Nogeyama Zoological gardens opened their gates to the public on April 1st, 1951. According to the website it is home to about 100 different species (about １416 creatures).

The red pandas are one of the most popular animals at the zoo and they are one of the first animals you will see upon entering. Unlike Zoorasia, Nogeyama Zoo is very compact. An advantage of this is that you can see some of the animals up close. You can really understand the power of the tigers as they stalk around their cage. On the downside you can’t help but feel sorry for the larger animals who really don’t have much room to move around.

There is also a petting zoo for children where sometimes you can have a snake draped around your shoulders. If you are brave enough don’t forget your camera.

Opening Hours: 9:30 – 16:30 (No entry after 16:00)
Closed on Mondays (Tuesday when Sunday or Monday is a public holiday).

Tickets
Admission is free.

How to get there
From Yokohama Station, take the JR Negishi Line to Sakuragicho Station and then you have to walk for about 15 minutes. Click image for for map.

Address:63-10 Oimatsu-cho, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, 220-0032
Phone: 045 231 1307
Fax: 045 231 3842

It’s open all year round except on Mondays (Tuesday when Sunday or Monday is a public holiday) and some other special days including from December 29th to January 1st. Please check official site (Japanese) or call if you are unsure. Unfortunately the only English on their site is a map of the zoo which I am pretty sure you can pick up at the zoo itself.

For train timetables and prices click here.

Zoorasia

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:54:02 +0000

Established in 1999, Zoorasia is home to only about 60 different species. Don’t let this fact stop you visiting though for Zoorasia is more than just a zoo, it’s an experience.

The okapi is the unofficial symbol of this zoo and it was at this zoo that they were successfully bred in Japan for the first time.

Along with usual crowd-pleasers such as lions, tigers and elephants there are also some special treats such as the tapir and the giant anteater. The zoo itself would be a very pleasant place to go for a stroll even if there were no animals. It is very green and has many picnic areas so don’t forget to pack some rice balls. Zoorasia is divided into six areas: the Asian tropical forest zone, the sub arctic forest zone, the oceanic grassland zone, the Central Asian highland zone, the Japanese countryside zone and the Amazon jungle zone. The animals are contained in areas designed as much as possible to replicate their natural habitat and in some cases the animals have there own air conditioned abodes to help them cope with Japan’s increasingly hot summers. The zoo is designed very well regarding viewing the animals. There are binoculars available at the entrance but to be honest they are rarely needed. The polar bears and the Humboldt penguins can often be seen swimming through the glass wall or you can look down on them from a height.

Opening Hours: 9:30 – 16:30 (No entry after 16:00)
Closed on Tuesdays except in case of public holiday in which case it is closed on Wednesday

Tickets
Adults (Age 18 and over): 600 yen
High School Students: 300 yen
Junior High School and Elementary Students: 200 yen
Saturday is free for High School Students and below but need student ID.

Discounts available for large groups (30 or more)

Other Services (ID and deposit may be required)

Wheelchair: free
Stroller: 500 yen
Audio Guide: 500 yen
Binoculars: 200 yen
All-day parking is 1000yen

How to get there

From Yokohama Station, take the Sotetsu Line to Tsurugamine Station and then you have to take a bus to Zoorasia. It should take about 15 minutes from Yokohama to Tsurugamine and the bus jurney is about 10 minutes.
For train timetables and prices click here.

Address: 1175-1 Kamashirane-cho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama-shi, 241-0001

When to go

It’s open all year round except on Tuesdays and some other special days. Please check official site or call if you are unsure.

Phone: 045 959 1000
Group Reservations Phone: 045 959 1919

Links: Zoorasia multilingual information

*Note: We will be adding a photo gallery at some point.