The “FLOWER GARDEN 2026” event is currently being held at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Shinko 1, Naka-ku, Yokohama), featuring a sprawling field of colorful flowers.

Since its first event in 2007, it has been held annually with changing themes. The theme for this year’s 20th anniversary is “Take a Break.” In the approximately 1,200-square-meter “Event Plaza,” about 20,000 spring flowers are in bloom, linked to the three key elements of relaxation: purple representing “Imagination” (psychological element), yellow and white representing “Pure” (environmental element), and pink representing “Love” (physical element).

The flower field also incorporates elements evoking a sense of “nostalgia” and “hometown.” Photo spots include a “station platform” paying homage to a station that once existed at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, a “flower waterwheel” reminiscent of a traditional house’s veranda, and a “kamakura” snow hut made of flowers. The newly introduced “outdoor library” allows visitors to read books surrounded by flowers and greenery, with some books available to pick up and browse.

After dusk (from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM), the venue is illuminated. On the final day, April 19, events in some areas will conclude from 1:00 PM, and flowers used at the venue will be distributed for free (while supplies last).

The event runs until April 19. Admission is free.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a pair of historic waterfront buildings constructed in the early 20th century (1911 and 1913) as customs facilities for the bustling port. After decades of disuse, they were meticulously restored and reopened in 2002 as a popular cultural and commercial complex, housing shops, restaurants, and event halls while preserving their iconic industrial architecture.

Event Plaza

The Event Plaza is a modern public space in downtown San Jose, California, designed as a central gathering and performance venue. It was constructed in the early 2000s as part of the city’s urban renewal efforts, transforming a former parking lot into a vibrant civic hub. Today, it hosts concerts, festivals, and community events, serving as a key social and cultural anchor for the city.

station platform

A station platform is a designated area alongside railway tracks where passengers board and alight from trains. Historically, platforms evolved from simple wooden boards in the early 19th century to the elevated, sheltered structures common today, integral to the safety and efficiency of rail travel. They serve as bustling public spaces that reflect the architectural and technological eras of their construction.

flower waterwheel

The “flower waterwheel” is a traditional agricultural tool and cultural symbol found in regions like China’s Guangxi and Yunnan, historically used for irrigation. Today, it is often preserved or recreated as a decorative landmark in scenic areas and ethnic villages, representing harmony between human ingenuity and the natural landscape.

kamakura

Kamakura is a coastal city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, renowned for its numerous temples, shrines, and the iconic Great Buddha (Daibutsu). It served as the nation’s political center from 1185 to 1333 during the Kamakura period, which was established by the first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo. Today, it is a popular historical destination, preserving the atmosphere of Japan’s first feudal shogunate.

outdoor library

An outdoor library is a public space, often in a park or plaza, where books are freely accessible for reading or exchange without a traditional building. The concept is rooted in the “Little Free Library” movement, which began in 2009, and in older traditions of community book-sharing to promote literacy and public engagement. These installations create open, informal hubs that blend literature with the natural or urban environment.