Five Reasons to Visit Yokohama This Summer!
– How to Enjoy the Japanese Summer Tradition –

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Five Reasons to Visit Yokohama This Summer! <br>– How to Enjoy the Japanese Summer Tradition –

Planning a holiday? Here are the reasons why you should put Yokohama on your travel itinerary. Why not experience the Yokohama local-style summer?

1. Japanese summer traditions of fireworks and summer festivals

1. Japanese summer traditions of fireworks and summer festivals

The Japanese summer tradition, fireworks and summer festivals taking place in the Port city, Yokohama, features a whole different experience. In July and August, beautiful fireworks sparkle in the summer night skies over the areas such as the downtown bay area, the beaches of Kanazawa, and the river bank of Tsurumi. We recommend that you wear the traditional "yukata (summer kimono)" and mingle with the local people to attend the summer festivals lined up with many food stands. If you dance "Bon Odori" to the call and song with many people circling the yagura (raised platform), you are sure to collect some unforgettable summer memories.

2. No Japanese Required! Hands-on Events & Fun Spots for Kids

2. No Japanese Required! Hands-on Events & Fun Spots for Kids

Fun for kids and adults alike! This summer, Yokohama is hot with experience-based events that can be enjoyed even without understanding Japanese: "Pikachu Outbreak!" with the world's favorite Japanese game character "Pikachu" jacking the whole city; "Yokohama Dinosaurs Exhibition," the largest of its kind in Japan, where dinosaurs roam in the forest; and "Tomica Expo," presented by mini-car brand "Tomica" whose outstanding details are unique to Japan, with giant dioramas and an assembly factory set up in the venue! Furthermore, there are other spots to enjoy the summer, such as coming into contact with sea animals at "Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise" and going on a night safari at "Yokohama Zoorasia"!

3. Outdoor beer gardens with great view to escape from the summer heat

3. Outdoor beer gardens with great view to escape from the summer heat

To beat the heat in hot summer season, Japanese have a tradition to go to the beer gardens with fresh air and ice-cold beers! The outdoor terrace and rooftop beer gardens open only during the summer season. Enjoy the "beer gardens" with the beautiful harbor night view over port of Yokohama!

4. Open-air music festivals enjoyed in Japan's birthplace of jazz

4. Open-air music festivals enjoyed in Japan's birthplace of jazz

Yokohama is the place where jazz was first introduced to Japan. Even today, there are small jazz cafés and live music clubs, stylish hostess bars, and various other jazz scenes in the city where history still remains strong. In this city of jazz, outdoor jazz festivals are popular events during the summer and fall months. In the "Blue Note Jazz Festival," held at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and "Yokohama Jazz Promenade," the largest jazz festival in Japan, not only jazz artists who represent Japan but also big-time artists from abroad will come to Japan to appear on stage!

5. Exposure to art scenes of great variety

5. Exposure to art scenes of great variety

Yokohama Triennale, Japan's leading international exhibition of contemporary art that takes place once every three years in Yokohama, will be held this year. Not only budding artists of Japan, but also renowned artists who are active internationally, including Ai Weiwei, Olafur Eliasson, and Maurizio Cattelan, will also participate. This year's exhibition is titled "Islands, Constellations and Galapagos." Art works are displayed in a collection of small exhibitions in the image of connecting like archipelagos and constellations, to open possibilities for discussions on current issues such as global "connectivity" and "isolation" from the angle of art. In addition to the exhibition, the town will be overflowing with exhibits and art events during the Triennale. Other planned programs include the "Yokohama Paratriennale," where artists with and without physical disabilities can engage in art activities, and "Smart Illumination Yokohama," where the town is beautifully lit up with the most advanced energy-saving illuminations for verification.