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.

ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01 Coming to Yokohama

*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.

More information on the Y150 website (Japanese).

Y150 – Port of Yokohama 150 Year Anniversary

On July 1st 1859 (June 2nd on the old lunar calendar) Yokohama officially opened the port and the effectively ushered in modern Japan. This year Yokohama is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Opening of the Port and it is going to be a big celebration with many events.

The events will be mainly held in three areas: the Bayside Area, centered in the Minato Mirai district; the Mother Port Area Yokohama Station and the Yamashita-Yamate neighborhoods; and the Hillside Area near Zoorasia.

You may have already been to some of these events or perhaps you have seen the news. For instance, the spectacle art group LaMachine from France brought over their huge spider for a performance that has to be seen to believed. And there are a host of other events which you can check out on the official Y150 web site.

While many events are free some of theme require you to purchase a ticket. You can find more information on their ticketing page but to give you an idea. An adult day pass costs 2,400 yen. Befor purchasing your ticket I recommend that you plan your schedule carefully so that you can take in as many of the attractions as you can. If you think that you are going to be a repeat visitor you might consider buying the Bayside Unlimited Use Entry Pass which costs 10,000 yen for an adult. These tickets also entitle you to discounts at other great Yokohama venues such as the Nippon Maru and the Yokohama Museum of Art

360° Panoramic View of Yokohama

This is an amazing use of technology and photography. I don’t how they did it but the result is stunning. The view is from the top of Landmark Tower and the nightlights are stunning. This image only hints at what you can see if you follow this link. You can use your mouse to drag the image to get a 360° view of Sakuragicho and Minato Mirai. (Link)

Hayama Seakayak School

A day could be spent in numerous ways. The key to make it fulfilling is starting early, especially in summer time. If you get up late in the morning, the sun is already up high and your mind will just focus on where to seek refuge from the heat all day. You don’t want to go too far, not to feel exhausted at the end of the day.

Here is an idea of one day excursion from Yokohama area. Seakayak at Morito Beach in Hayama, the northwest region of Miura Peninshula, The area is famous for its beautiful coastline stretching about 5 kilometers. I have recently learned about the seakayak school there from one of my friends, who took part in one-day beginner course (more like a guided tour) early this month. I am not a water sports lover, but her story almost prompted me to make a call for booking right away. The safety and course instructions are all given in Japanese, so, this is more for people with basic understanding of Nihon-go OR some experience of kayaking. They also operate Hayama Sailing College & Yacht Club and a retail shop of yacht/kayak gears.

Hayama Seakayak School
939-13 Hayama-cho,
Miura-gun, Kanagawa-ken
TEL:0468-77-5399
Website: http://seakayakschool.com/ (Japanese)

Go to “map” from the following webpage for location.
Hayama Sailing College (English)

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.

Yokohama 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
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.

Hikawa-maru

Hikawa-maru, the 78 year-old passenger boat permanently moored at the edge of the Yamashita park is a familiar landmark of the waterfront area of the city. Due to the change of management, this floating museum was closed around the end of 2006 and underwent major renovation. Now reopened with pride as a ship once called “Queen of the Pacific,” she has new interiors embellished much with art deco designs If you know how it looked before, you will be surprised at the significant difference. The lobby that welcomes visitors right after entrance has a large screen where a video about the history of Hikawa-maru is shown with English subtitle. After the input of some information, you are ready to set off on tour, simply following the arrow marks. All the explanations given are both in Japanese and English, and sufficient to satisfy your curiosity. Interesting anecdotes, such as Charlie Chaplin’s voyage on Hikawa-maru, are also presented. Much larger areas are now open to the public than before, including the heart of the ship, the engine room. I refrain from telling more detains here, since I would rather recommend you to see it with your own eyes. If you are interested in the maritime history of Yokohama, also visit NYK Maritime Museum near Bashamichi Station on Minato-Mirai Line.

Open: 10:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Admission: Adult 200 yen, Youth & Senior 100 yen
Further Info. (click)

List of Museums in Yokohama

Here is a list of Yokohama’s museums and their web sites. If I have left any out or if there are any dead links please just leave a comment. To be honest, I haven’t been to most of these museums as I am not really a museum person but if you have and would like to review any of them please contact us.

1. Yokohama Museum of Art (English/Japanese)
2. Mitsubishi Minato Mirai Industrial Museum (English/Japanese)
3. Nippon-Maru Memorial Park (English/Japanese)
4. Sogo Museum of Art (English/Japanese)
5. Yokohama History Museum (English/Japanese)
6. Electric Power Historical Museum (English/Japanese)
7. Kanazawa Bunko Museum (English/Japanese)
8. Iwasaki Museum (English/Japanese)
9. Kanagawa Museum of Modern Literature (English/Japanese)
10. Yokohama Yamate Museum of Tennis (English/Japanese)
11. Equine Museum (English/Japanese)
12. Yokohama Streetcar Museum (English/Japanese)
13. Museum of Yokohama Urban History (English/Japanese)
14. Yokohama Museum of Eurasian Cultures (English/Japanese)
15. The Japan Newspaper Museum (English/Japanese)
16. Broadcast Library (English/Japanese)
17. Silk Museum (English/Japanese)
18. Yokohama Doll Museum (English/Japanese)
19. Yokohama Archives of History (English/Japanese)
20. NYK Maritime Museum (English/Japanese)
21. Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History (English(pdf)/Japanese)
22. Japanese Overseas Migration Museum (Japanese)

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