Yokohama voted one of Japan’s top 3 cities for night-time views
For the first time in its history, Yokohama has been selected as one of the “Top Three Night View Cities in Japan”.
A title that dates back as far as Japan’s tourism boom in the 1950’s and 60’s, it was formalised in 2015 and is now selected by the Night View Tourism Convention Bureau every 3 years.
A total of 6,610 “night view guides”, trained professionals who have passed the night view guide certification exam, were polled during the selection.
The latest results were announced on the 17th of December, with Yokohama being voted in 2nd place.
This result was a remarkable achievement and a big jump in the cities standing, as Yokohama had previously come in 6th place in the 2021 selection.
The panel stated that Yokohama was chosen due to its proactive promotion of night-time themed events, many of which have become annual staples attended by both domestic and international visitors.
2024 has seen a boom in night-time themed events in Yokohama, with both Yorunoyo and Yokohama Sparkling Twilight taking place for another year.
Yokohama Sparkling Twilight is a winter fireworks festival that takes place over a number of weekends from October to March each year.
Held at different venues around Yokohama, the festival gives visitors fantastic opportunities to see, and photograph, the Yokohama skyline lit up with amazing fireworks.
Yorunoyo is an annual illumination event that sees a number of venues around Yokohama’s waterfront area lit up during December.
There have also been a number of other notable night-time events in Yokohama during 2024.
The Yokohama Port Opening Festival Drone Show, which was held as part of the 43rd Yokohama Port Opening Festival celebrated the heritage of Yokohama as one of the main ports of Japan.
Perhaps one of the most impressive events was the illuminations held as part of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars Championship Parade, which saw 52 buildings and areas of Yokohama lit up in blue:
Yokohama was beaten to the top prize by Kitakyushu City, with Nagasaki City taking 3rd place.
The top 10 of Japan’s New Top Three Night View Cities for 2024, as voted for by Japan’s Night View Tourism Convention Bureau, were as follows:
- 1st – Kitakyushu City
- 2nd – Yokohama City
- 3rd – Nagasaki City
- 4th – Tokyo
- 5th – Kobe City
- 6th – Sapporo City
- 7th – Hakodate City
- 8th – Osaka City
- 9th – Sendai City
- 10th – Ashikaga City
So, if you’re planning a trip to Yokohama in the coming year, or you’ve been looking for a reason to visit the city, make sure you take the opportunity to see at least one of its award winning night-time events.
Source: Official Website