Category Archives: Lifestyle

What you need to survive in Yokohama.

Yokohama Immigration Office Has Moved

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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

[googlemap lat="35.387091" lng="139.647781" width="590px" height="300px" zoom="11" type="G_NORMAL_MAP"]Yokohama District Immigration Office[/googlemap]

ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01 Coming to Yokohama

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ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01 Sail Mexican Training Ship

ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01 Sail Mexican Training Ship

*Updated May 26th, 2009 (Thanks Jose!)
The “Cuauhtemoc” visit to Yokohama is to celebrate both the 400 anniversary of the first friendly contacts between Mexico and Japan, and to celebrate Y-150. Actually, Y-150 organizers invited her to take part in the celebrations and is part of the official Y-150 program.

The vessel will arrive into Yokohama in May 27th at 10 am and it will be open to the public from May 28th to June 5th (10:00 – 17:00 hrs).It will dock at the Port of Yokohama, Shinko Pier, No. 5 Berth.

Below is the old itinerary that has been changed because of the swine flu.

Travel Plan of the Cuauhtémoc (Click for larger image.)

More information on the Y150 website (Japanese).

[googlemap lat="35.455985825527655" lng="139.64234590530396" width="590px" height="300px" zoom="15" type="G_NORMAL_MAP"]Shinko Pier No. 5 Berth[/googlemap]

Purchasing a Home in Japan

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It’s been a while since I posted an original article here at Yokohama Living (volunteers are welcome) but I don’t have much time these days. But these two articles from the Japan Times were just too good to miss. That is if you are considering buying property in Japan.

The first article is about actual experiences foreigners have had purchasing property in Japan and it ranges from the very positive to the negative. Jim, an American in Yokohama had a pretty good experience.

The process went very smoothly, no doubt helped by the fact that I’m a permanent resident and we qualified financially. Of course, decreasing property values are a concern, but when you rent you’re spending money that will never return.

On the other hand, Ivan from England, didn’t have such a good experience.

Maybe it was just me, or maybe it’s because I’m non-Japanese, but it’s the worst place I have ever lived in in Japan. I get lots of complaints from the people living below. On the first day after we moved they came and said we were too loud, on the second day they came and said that if we had flooring we would have to put carpets down. I was told by the caretaker that the person who lived in my apartment before me moved for out for the same reason that we are now moving.

Read more:Tales of experience from foreign homeowners

The second article is the very appropriately titled step by step guide to owning a home in Japan. It is a good read and really there is something in there for people buying houses almost anywhere.

O-Hanami -Cherry Blossom Viewing

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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..

This gallery is from Mitsuike Koen in Tsurumi.

2006 Aomori Nebuta Photo Gallery

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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.

Yokohama Nogeyama Zoo

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Yokohama\'s Nogeyama Zoo

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
Nogeyama Access MapFrom 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.