Negishi Racecourse First-Class Stand, designated as a certified historical building on January 22, 2025

The «47th Seminar on Town Development Utilizing History: The Charm of J.H. Morgan’s Architecture» will be held at the Former British Consulate in Yokohama (Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama) on September 28.

J.H. Morgan came to Japan to design the Marunouchi Building in front of Tokyo Station. In Yokohama, buildings designed by Morgan, such as the Former British Consulate, Yamate Western-style Residence No. 111, the main gate of the Foreign Cemetery, and the Negishi Racecourse First-Class Stand, still exist and contribute to the formation of Yokohama’s unique historical landscape. This seminar is being held following the designation of the Negishi Racecourse First-Class Stand in Negishi as a Yokohama City Certified Historical Building this year.

During the event, an honorary professor from Kanto Gakuin University will give a lecture on «The Charm of J.H. Morgan’s Architecture,» followed by a symposium on the theme of «Preserving Morgan’s Architecture for Future Generations.» The panel will include the professor, the representative of Yanaka Nezu Sendai Workshop, and the head of the cultural affairs department of the Equestrian Cultural Foundation, with a professor from Kogakuin University serving as the coordinator.

The event will be held from 2:00 PM. The participation fee is 500 yen. To apply, please call or visit the Former British Consulate.

In collaboration with the Yokohama City Urban Development Bureau’s Urban Design Division, a «Consultation Office for Town Development Utilizing History» is operated, providing free support to owners struggling with the preservation and utilization of historical buildings. Experts, city officials, and related organizations work as a team to address individual issues.

Halloween Chocolatte

Halloween Chocolatte

On September 18, the chocolate specialty store «VANILLABEANS THE ROASTERY» (Kaigan-dori 5, Naka-ku, Yokohama) began selling three new dessert drinks, including the Halloween-limited «Halloween Chocolatte.»

The store is a directly operated outlet of the craft chocolate brand «VANILLABEANS» and offers drinks and desserts using house-roasted cacao. The «Halloween Chocolatte» is a smoothie made with purple sweet potato paste and homemade chocolate syrup, topped with purple sweet potato whipped cream, crumble, and white chocolate. It is a limited menu item characterized by Halloween-like colors and textures, combining chocolate and autumn ingredients for a seasonal experience.

In addition, the «Pistachio Chocolatte» using pistachio and the «Caramel Cacao Chocolatte» featuring the flavor of cacao and burnt caramel are also available. All drinks are based on the aroma of cacao and a rich taste, highlighting the individuality of the ingredients, and are available for takeout.

These limited menu items are available at «VANILLABEANS CAFE,» which is located alongside «VANILLABEANS THE ROASTERY.» The sale period is from September 18 to October 31, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Negishi Racecourse First-Class Stand

The Negishi Racecourse First-Class Stand was a historic horse racing facility in Yokohama, Japan, which operated from 1866 to 1943. It was Japan’s first modern racetrack, established by foreign residents during the Meiji era to introduce Western-style horse racing. The grandstand was a notable social hub before the site was repurposed for military use during World War II.

Former British Consulate in Yokohama

The Former British Consulate in Yokohama was the first foreign legation building established in Japan after the country opened its ports in 1859. Constructed in the late 19th century, it served as the British diplomatic mission for many years. Today, the restored Western-style building operates as a museum and event space, offering a glimpse into Yokohama’s history as an international trading port.

Marunouchi Building

The Marunouchi Building, commonly known as the Marubiru, is a historic office building in Tokyo’s Marunouchi business district. Originally completed in 1923, it was one of Japan’s first modern office buildings and a symbol of pre-war corporate prestige. It was completely redeveloped and reopened in 2002 as a modern commercial complex, blending its historic facade with contemporary architecture.

Yamate Western-style Residence No. 111

The Yamate Western-style Residence No. 111 is a historic Western-style home in Yokohama, Japan, built in the early 20th century. It is a preserved example of the architecture from the foreign settlement era, when the Yamate Bluff area was a prominent residential district for foreign diplomats and merchants. The building now serves as a museum, offering a glimpse into the international history and cosmopolitan culture of the port city.

Foreign Cemetery

The Foreign Cemetery, also known as the International Cemetery, is a historic burial ground established for non-native residents, often merchants, diplomats, and sailors, who died abroad. These cemeteries, found in many port cities, date from the 18th and 19th centuries and reflect the history of global trade and cultural exchange. They serve as poignant reminders of expatriate communities and often contain a diverse array of gravestones with inscriptions in multiple languages.

Yokohama City Certified Historical Building

The Yokohama City Certified Historical Building designation is a municipal program that identifies and protects structures of significant cultural and architectural value, primarily from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras. These buildings, which include former foreign residences, early commercial warehouses, and Western-style offices, reflect Yokohama’s unique history as one of Japan’s first ports to open to international trade in 1859. The certification helps preserve the city’s distinctive hybrid architectural landscape that emerged from its early contact with the West.

Kanto Gakuin University

Kanto Gakuin University is a private university in Japan, founded in 1949 by the Japan Baptist Convention. Its origins, however, trace back to the earlier Kanto Gakuin academy established in 1884 in Tokyo by American Baptist missionaries. The university is known for its roots in Christian education and has multiple campuses today in the Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kogakuin University

Kogakuin University is a private technical university in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1887 as a technical school during the Meiji era’s rapid modernization. It is one of the oldest private engineering universities in the country and is renowned for its programs in architecture and engineering. The university has a long history of contributing to Japan’s industrial and technological development.