The live event «World Listening Day 2025» will take place on July 21 at the Zou-no-Hana Terrace recreation area (1 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama). The event is organized by the «Yokohama Soundscape Project,» which collects and shares urban sounds.
The event coincides with the international «World Listening Day,» established in 2010 to raise awareness about the acoustic environment. Every year on July 18, related events are held worldwide. In Yokohama, the event aligns with Marine Day.
The program includes a «soundwalk» (a walk focused on environmental sounds) and a «live soundscape» performance featuring layered recordings of waves, station announcements, and other sounds. A live broadcast of soundscapes from rural Finland will also be featured. The first part will showcase compositions by the Tokyo Phonographers Union, while the second part will feature contrabassist Hayami Mizobe and Masao Naito performing on antique instruments.
«It will be interesting to see what sounds emerge. After listening to the harbor on Marine Day—creaking bridges, boat waves, splashing fish, and human voices—guests can immerse themselves in global soundscapes with a drink at Zou-no-Hana Terrace,» said a representative. «The 7:00 PM soundwalk is free to join.»
Event time: 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Live performance admission: ¥2,500 with advance registration, ¥3,000 at the door.
Yokohama Soundscape Project
**Yokohama Soundscape Project** is an urban initiative launched in the 1980s to improve the acoustic environment by preserving and creating meaningful sounds (bells, water features, natural sounds). Inspired by composer Toru Takemitsu and researcher R. Murray Schafer, it combats noise pollution. Today, the project is an example of integrating sound design into urban planning.
Zou-no-Hana Terrace
Zou-no-Hana Terrace is a waterfront area in Yokohama, historically significant as the landing site of Commodore Perry in 1854. The name («Elephant’s Trunk») references the cape’s shape and its role in Japan’s modernization. Today, it is a cultural zone with panoramic views, cafes, and art events.
World Listening Day
Observed on July 18 since 2010 (in honor of R. Murray Schafer’s birthday). The World Listening Project promotes mindful engagement with the acoustic environment through soundwalks, recordings, and discussions on bioacoustics.
World Listening Project
A nonprofit organization (since 2008) exploring the cultural and ecological role of sound. It conducts workshops, research, and curates World Listening Day.
Tokyo Phonographers Union
A collective of sound artists (active since the 2000s) documenting Tokyo’s acoustics, blending documentary and artistic approaches.
Yokohama Soundscape Project
The **Yokohama Soundscape Project** is an urban initiative launched in the 1980s to enhance the city’s acoustic environment by preserving and creating meaningful sounds, such as bells, water features, and natural sounds, while reducing noise pollution. Inspired by composer Toru Takemitsu and others, it aimed to foster a more livable and sensory-rich urban space. The project reflects Yokohama’s innovative approach to blending urban development with cultural and environmental awareness.
Zou-no-Hana Terrace
Zou-no-Hana Terrace is a scenic waterfront promenade in Yokohama, Japan, offering stunning views of the harbor and Minato Mirai skyline. Opened in 2009, it was historically part of the city’s bustling port area and has been revitalized as a cultural and leisure space. The site blends modern design with nods to Yokohama’s maritime heritage, featuring event spaces, cafes, and art installations.
World Listening Day
World Listening Day is observed annually on **July 18** to celebrate the practice of listening and raise awareness about the importance of soundscapes in our environment. Established in 2010 by the **World Listening Project**, it honors the birthday of Canadian composer and environmentalist **R. Murray Schafer**, a pioneer in acoustic ecology. The day encourages people to engage with their auditory surroundings through activities like field recordings, soundwalks, and discussions on noise pollution and natural sound preservation.
World Listening Project
The **World Listening Project (WLP)** is a nonprofit initiative founded in 2008 to explore the cultural and ecological significance of sound and listening. It promotes *acoustic ecology*—studying the relationship between humans and their environment through sound—and organizes events like World Listening Day (July 18) to raise awareness. Inspired by the work of composer R. Murray Schafer and the World Soundscape Project, WLP encourages creative and scientific engagement with soundscapes worldwide.
Tokyo Phonographers Union
The Tokyo Phonographers Union is a collective of experimental musicians and sound artists based in Tokyo, dedicated to field recording and phonography—the art of capturing ambient sounds. Founded in the early 2000s, the group explores the acoustic environment of urban and natural spaces, often releasing collaborative works that highlight the unnoticed sonic textures of everyday life. Their work reflects a deep engagement with sound as an artistic medium, bridging documentary practice and avant-garde composition.
Marine Day
Marine Day, known as *Umi no Hi* (海の日) in Japanese, is a national holiday in Japan celebrated on the third Monday of July. Established in 1996, it honors the importance of the ocean and its blessings, reflecting Japan’s maritime history and economic reliance on the sea. Originally marking the return of Emperor Meiji from a voyage in 1876, it became a day to express gratitude for the ocean’s resources and promote marine conservation.
