Many countries have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. How is Yokohama currently dealing with this crisis?

Japanese government declared state of emergency in early April and requested the residents to stay home. The declaration was lifted at the end of May and socio-economic activities were reopened cautiously with industries following respective guidelines to prevent infection.  
Domestic tourism has restarted gradually and Yokohama is seeing a return of tourists in the weekends mainly from nearby areas. Restrictions on events are also eased and domestic meetings are held in Yokohama.  Recent meetings held in the city are corporate meetings such as shareholders' meetings and domestic medical conferences which are held as hybrid for those who are not able to come.

The MICE industry is also struggling during these difficult times. How do you think this will change our industry, and what measures can be taken, in your opinion?

We believe that the full recovery from this difficult time may take time but the great value of face to face meeting will never go away.  We also believe that once the in-person meeting resumes, safety measures will be at the forefront of the minds of the meeting planners.
Yokohama is a relaxing port city that retains an easy-going atmosphere that is unique in Japan. Less congested than other cities, you can secure social distancing and can enjoy refreshing breezes off the Pacific Ocean. Our convention center will propose safe environment for associations under its guidelines and moreover, Yokohama will support associations financially to promote sanitization to prevent the spread of virus.
 

Did you know, that…?

Did you know that Yokohama is the second largest city after Tokyo and is the first port in Japan to open its door to the world? Since its opening in 1859, it has been at the forefront of Japanese ports and has been a constant driving force for the Japanese economy.  Foundations of Yokohama as an international business hub were laid as soon as the port was opened and among the first products to be exported were tea and silk. Now Yokohama’s leading export items are finished automobiles.

Did you know that Yokohama is a flourishing international business hub where many companies from various industries gather from Japan and abroad? In particular, the city has seen the clustering of IT, life science, mobility, and manufacturing industries, attracting companies, universities and research institutions related to these fields and prompting cross-sector collaboration. High-skill labor supporting these industries has flocked to the region. (Nissan, Shiseido, Fuji Xerox, Bosch etc.)

Did you know that Yokohama has established a reputation for hosting memorable and global-scale events that benefit from world-class facilities in a compact convention district?  PACIFICO Yokohama is an unrivalled convention facility that is close to a large number of excellent hotels, a variety of shops and restaurants.
 

Where to meet?

The venue PACIFICO Yokohama is the largest and most advanced convention complex in Japan. As well as all the facilities of a world-class event venue, it is directly connected to one of the city’s most acclaimed hotels, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand.
PACIFICO Yokohama serves as the central facility in the convention district, with more than 7,160 guest rooms within walking distance, large shopping malls and a wide range of entertainment and dining options.
The convention center was instrumental in Yokohama successfully hosting the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in 2010, welcoming more than 10,000 delegates from around the world.
In 2020, the new PACIFICO Yokohama North facility, equipped with one of the largest multipurpose event halls in the country, opened its doors. Japan’s very highest levels of conference infrastructure and services await you here in Yokohama.
 

Where to stay?

Yokohama has more than 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from five-star properties to budget hotels.  Many are within walking distance of the conference venue. International brand hotels are also available around the venue such as Hyatt Regency Yokohama, newly opened this summer, The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama and Oakwood Suites Yokohama, scheduled to open in autumn 2020, and The Westin Yokohama to be opened in 2022.

More domestic brand-new hotels are also due to open in Yokohama by 2023, so that the city will be able to offer an additional 2,000 rooms by 2023.

5-star hotel: InterContinental Yokohama Grand
-    Integrated with PACIFICO Yokohama
-    594 rooms, a grand ballroom and 9 restaurants

4-star hotel: Hotel Vista Premio MinatoMirai
-      The nearest hotel to PACIFICO Yokohama North
-      876 rooms and 1 restaurant

3-star hotel: APA HOTEL & RESORT 'YOKOHAMA BAY TOWER'
-      15min. walk from the venue
-      2,311 rooms, 1 large ballroom and 4 restaurants
 

How to get there?

Getting to Yokohama from anywhere in the world is easy, thanks to the city’s proximity to two international airports, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) and Narita International Airport. Before COVID-19, together, the two airports handled more than 2,500 international flights weekly from 112 cities in some 45 nations on more than 80 airlines. That proximity and the comprehensive flight network make Yokohama an especially convenient venue for event participants from the nations of Asia, Europe and North America.
 

Do you offer any special services / assistance for associations?

Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB) is a non-profit organization funded primarily by the City of Yokohama to provide comprehensive, customized support for any organization planning a convention, exhibition, incentive tour or other event.
From the very earliest stages of your planning, our experienced and capable staff are available to provide all the support and advice that your organization needs to make the event a complete success.
Our staff are experts on the city and its facilities and we work closely with a range of partners throughout Yokohama to deliver unforgettable events.
 

Personal recommendation / insider tips?

Get the most out of your visit to Yokohama by experiencing traditional Japanese culture or exploring the unique tourism offerings of a port town.

Japanese cultural experiences
Yokohama offers plenty of opportunities to experience Japanese culture.  One of the most popular places is Sankeien Garden, an authentic Japanese garden laid out across 175,000 ㎡ (43 acres) graced with flowers and greenery in every season.

Unique port town attractions
Yokohama offers a number of attractions unique to its port town identity. These include the city's symbolic tower*, which was once Japan's tallest lighthouse and has watched over the city for the past half a century. If you look out to the sparkling harbor you will see Osanbashi Pier where you can see people relaxing on the rooftop park and taking in the grand sight of huge ocean liners docked there. Yokohama's nightscapes are also second to none. Both professional and amateur photographers alike flock here to capture the dazzling display of lights on one of the world's largest Ferris wheels and the stunning panoramas from the 69th floor of the Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden.

*“Yokohama Marine Tower” is currently closed until April 2022, for renovation.
 

Whom to contact?

For more information, contact Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau: mice@ycvb.or.jp
https://business.yokohamajapan.com/mice/en/

Let the team at Yokohama CVB help you to make your Yokohama program a success. We are your direct and personal connection to the city.