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

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).

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).

Supplementary Income Payments

Today, I received the Supplementary Payments Application forms and while I haven’t filled it out and sent it off yet I did have a quick look. Good news for English speakers is that some English instructions have been included. Not everything though as you can see in the images I have provided in the download link below. These images are scans of my application form and can’t be used by other people to apply for this supplementary income. The redacted areas just cover my personal details.

  Supplementary Income (2.3 MiB, 149 hits)

If you are not sure about how to fill in the application form leave a comment here or in the forum and we will try to help you out.

Zo-no-hana Park to open June 2nd

Zo no hana (象の鼻） means elephant’s trunk and it was the nickname given to the British Wharf that was originally constructed in Yokohama Port about 150 years ago. The redevelopment of this area coincides with the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama (Y150) and actually some events will be held there when it opens on June 2nd of this year (2009). The opening ceremony is at 10am and the park opens at 12pm.

The park itself seems pretty big and spacious and will surely be a great addition to Yokohama.  The closest station seems to be Nihon Odori on the Minato Mirai Line. It is also within easy walking distance from the Red Brick Warehouses (Aka Renga).

Zo no hana is also written as Zou no hana, Zounohana, Zonohana etc.