YOKOHAMA Japan’s second largest city of more than three million people is less than half-an-hour by train from the capital Tokyo. Its accessibility makes it an attractive alternative destination for groups hosting events and incentives in the country.
PACIFICO Yokohama, located on the waterfront of the futuristic Minato Mirai 21 district and Japan’s largest convention complex, maybe the default venue for many events in the city both large and small. However, the destination has its share of interesting places that can serve as a unique venue for a company dinner or a group cultural interaction. Mix takes a look at some of these venues:
SANKEIEN GARDEN’S “KAKUSHOKAKU”
Where is it? 15 minutes’ car ride from PACIFICO Yokohama
Description: Kakushokaku is a traditional-style guesthouse in Sankeien, an exquisitely landscaped Japanese garden that covers a total area of 175,000 sqm. Open all year round, it is a must-see attraction for its natural beauty. It is good place to observe the changing of the seasons.
The Kakushokaku is an ideal venue for culture-oriented programmes. Groups have a choice of experiences from a traditional tea ceremony to learning the art of Japanese floral arrangement.
Group size: The guesthouse can hold between 60 and 100 people depending on the room layout. The number of people can go up to 200 when the front lawn is made available for the event.
Past events: APEC 2010 Accompanying Persons’ Programme
Website: www.sankeien.or.jp/pdf/guidemap_english.pdf
OSANBASHI HALL
Where is it? Located on the Yokohama bay
Description: Osanbashi Hall is a 2,000 sqm column-free space inside the International Passenger Terminal, offering magnificent views of Yokohama Bay. Guests can stroll on the rooftop garden where they can enjoy the sight of Mount Fuji.
The hall can be configured into different layouts to suit diverse events from a lecture, exhibition to a corporate gala dinner.
Group size: 600 people for seated dinner and 1,200 people for standing buffet
Past events: IUMRS-ICEM2012 Banquet, World Congress of International Society of Surgery Reception
Website: www.osanbashi.com/en/index.html
YOKOHAMA MUSEUM OF ART
Where is it? Five minutes’ walk from PACIFICO Yokohama
Description: The Grand Gallery, atelier, and the eighth-floor observation deck are available for corporate events. A pre-event tour of the museum can be arranged for delegates. The museum boasts over 9,750 pieces of modern art from surrealist art works to photography collections – many by local artists.
Group size: The Grand Gallery can fit 300 people while the eighth-floor observation deck can cater a maximum of 50 people.
Past events: International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR 2012) President’s Reception
Website: www.yaf.or.jp/yma/english
MARINE ROUGE/MARINE SHUTTLE (cruise ships)
Where is it? Departs from three places in Yokohama City
Description: Enjoy lunch, tea or dinner cruises while enjoying the view of Yokohama Bay and the city. The luxurious Marine Rouge can carry up to 260 passengers. Its sister ship, the more casual Marine Shuttle, can hold up to 330 passengers.
Group size: Marine Rouge is open for private bookings for groups of 150 or more and Marine Shuttle can host private events for groups of 200 people and more.
Past events: International Sentinel Node Society Meeting 2010 (ISNS2010) Opening Ceremony
Website: www.yokohama-cruising.jp
YOKOHAMA HAKKEIJAIAMA SEA PARADISE
Where is it? 30 minutes’ car ride from PACIFICO Yokohama
Description: Groups can enjoy a unique party in front of a large aquarium. The 240,000 sqm man-made island is an amusement park with an aquarium, various rides, and dining/shopping facilities. It is one of the largest aquariums in Japan, featuring more than 500 different varieties of fish and 100,000 sea creatures.
Group size: The Aqua Museum is available for groups of 200 people for buffet dining while the Dolphin Fantasy exhibit can welcome up to 80 people for buffet dining.
Past events: NA
Website: www.seaparadise.co.jp/english
For more unique venues in Yokohama, visit www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/convention
Gigi Onag
