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.

150 Years of Yokohama in Photos

There is a pretty cool photo gallery on the Mainichi Daily News website showing a selection of photos showing events and scenes from the last 150 years in Yokohama. It is one of the many pieces that have been run by newspapers recently in celebration and support of the 150th Anniversary of the port of Yokohama. Click on the image to go to the Mainichi web site.

If you are interested in Yokohama’s history be sure to check out these four articles from the Japan Times.

• The rise of Japan’s No. 1 gateway
• Newspapers opened eyes in Yokohama
• Chinese immigrants played vital role
• Yokohama — city on the cutting edge

Cuauhtémoc in Yokohama Photo Gallery

The Mexican sail training ship, Cuautemoc, arrived in Yokohama this morning and was welcomed by the Japanese navy. A small greeting ceremony was held.

Read more about Cuautemoc’s visit to Yokohama.

Kanamara Matsuri Photo Gallery (2006)

These photos were taken on April 1st, 2006 when my camera was getting repaired and the lens of the camera I was using here was a little dirty so that is why some of the images look a little washed out in places. Don’t know what going on in these photos? Check out this post on the Kanamara Matsuri.

Flower Art Festival Gallery

We at Yokohama Living went over to the Nihon Odori Flower Art Festival that was held over the weekend to take some photos for those of you who weren’t able to attend. It was nice but I was a little disappointed. I don’t know what I was expecting but I know I was expecting something more. The petals of the flowers seemed to have been placed on what amounts to a great big coloring book and for the most part they kept within the lines. It was windy though and I also felt that some of the art wasn’t finished. It was also difficult to get a good view as we had to look at the flower art from the side mostly so it was difficult to get a good angle when shooting. Well, check them out for yourself.

Red Brick Festival

The Red Brick Festival is being held down at the Red Brick Warehouses also known as Akarenga near Sakuragicho in Yokohama. Actually it has already started and I have even attended a little bit of it. The ice cream part. I took some photos of the cool and crazy ice creams that are on offer and to be honest the choice of flavors is amazing. And I chose the word carefully too because you ought to be amazed that they sell ice cream with flavors such as cow tongue, caviar, garlic, eel and wasabi. (See gallery below for more.) The one that attracted me most though was the stretching Turkish ice cream which I quickly ordered really hoping just to see it stretch. It didn’t stretch though and the flavor was a pretty standard vanilla. No complaints there. I didn’t try the other ice creams not because I was nervous about the strange flavor but just because I didn’t want to ruin my appetite.

There are a few other events at this festival including, I believe, some salsa and samba performances. You can find some information (in Japanese) on the Akarenga web site. It runs from July 25th to August 10th.

Photo Gallery: Yamato Awa Odori 2005

The Yamato Awa Odori is going to be held next weekend with some performances on Friday but most of the street festivities on Saturday and Sunday. I have attended this festival twice and this is a photo gallery from the first time in 2005. The Awa Odori is a very lively and fun festival so if you get a chance I highly recommend goiing to see one.

The festival is not held in Yokohama but in nearby Yamato City. From Yokohama Station it takes just 21 minutes on the Sotetsu Line. Make sure you take the train heading for Ebina though.

Train Timetable.

Sagami Odako Matsuri

The Sagami Giant Kite Festival is held in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture during golden week. It is usually held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5th and 6th. O-Dako loosely translates as large kite. There are many kite festivals held throughout Japan but this is one of the more spectacular ones.

You will be able to see five or six kites measuring up to and over 14 metres squared and weighing almost a ton take flight by the banks of the Sagami river. Its quite an amazing sight and it takes many men to control them. The kites are all handmade in the traditional style using bamboo for the framework and some pretty sturdy japanese paper as material. At the end of the festival the largest of the kites is set afire.

This festival has been held since 1830 and while there are many such festivals around Japan this one is famous for the sheer size of the kites.

How to get there
From Yokohama Station, take the Sotetsu Line to Ebina Station and then change to the JR Sagami Line to Sobudaishita Station. It should take less than 60 minutes including transfer. From Sobudaishita you can either take the shuttle bus or walk for about 20 minutes. Just follow the crowd.
Train timetables.

O-Hanami -Cherry Blossom Viewing

Literally translated “O-Hanami” means looking at flowers. These days however it refers to the blossoms of the Japanese cherry tree which usually bloom in early April in Yokohama. With its origins reported to have been back as far as the Nara Period (710-784) today O-Hanami is now a popular excuse to sip sake or beer from early morning to late at night under the pink or white blossoms. The blossoms only last for one week and some say that they are a symbol for the transience of life. In Japanese cherry blossoms are called Sakura. There are many great places in Yokohama to see cherry blossoms.

Here are three locations that are highly recommended..

• Kodomo-no-Kuni (English and Japanese)
• Sankeien (Japanese and English)
• Hodogaya Park (Japanese)
• Mitsuike Park (Japanese)

This gallery is from Mitsuike Koen in Tsurumi.

2006 Aomori Nebuta Photo Gallery

It’s hard to believe it has been nearly two years since I went to the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori. I remember it was extremely hot and we stayed one night in a tent and woke up at about 5AM with sweat poring off me. The Nebuta Festival in Aomori is definitely one of the most impressive festivals I have been to in Japan and I have been to a few. While I was there I went to another Nebuta Festival in a nearby town which has the tallest Nebuta in the world. What is a Nebuta? They are these gigantic lanterns that are pulled or carried during some festivals in Japan. Aomori is the biggest of the Nebuta Festivals.

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