The city of Yokohama and the Kanagawa Daiba Regional Revitalization Promotion Association have created digital content to convey the charm and historical value of “Kanagawa Daiba,” a symbol of the opening of Yokohama Port. A public ceremony was held on May 26 in the atrium on the first floor of the Yokohama City Hall.

Kanagawa Daiba, located near the current Yokohama Central Wholesale Market, was a battery designed by Kaishu Katsu for the defense of Yokohama Port and built by the Matsuyama Domain. It was completed about a year after construction began in 1860, the year following the opening of Yokohama Port. Covering a total area of about 8,000 tsubo, it was never used in actual combat until its decommissioning in 1899. Instead, it was used to fire ceremonial salutes and honorific cannon shots as part of diplomatic protocol for the international port.

The digital content visualizes Kanagawa Daiba at the time of the port’s opening as high-definition 3DCG based on academic evidence. Three types of content were produced: an “experiential VR (virtual reality)” that allows users to explore a recreated Kanagawa Daiba using a game controller, an “AR (augmented reality)” smartphone guide usable at four coastal spots in the city, and a “local history learning video” (about 10 minutes) designed for use in school education. These materials introduce the history of Kanagawa Daiba and the opening of the port.

At the public ceremony, the chairman of the association spoke, introducing TOPPAN Edge, which handled production, the Yokohama Archives of History, which supervised the content, and various Yokohama city departments collaborating on its use. He stated, “We aim not only to produce this content but also to actively utilize it.”

Following greetings from the Kanagawa Ward mayor and a vice chairman of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry who donated production funds, a research fellow from the Yokohama Archives of History gave a lecture on “Yokohama Port Opening and Kanagawa Daiba.” He commented, “Kanagawa Daiba is an important facility related to the port opening, and I hope knowledge about it will spread in the future.”

After the ceremony, a VR experience session was held. Another VR experience session will take place on June 6 from 10:00 to 15:00 at Aeon Style Higashi-Kanagawa. The video has been available on the association’s YouTube channel since April 27. The AR is scheduled for release on May 27.

The cleanup event “Naka Ward Cleanup DAY! 2026” will be held on May 30, starting and ending at Odori Park in Naka Ward, Yokohama.

The event is organized by the Naka Ward Office and co-organized by the Yokohama Resource and Waste Recycling Bureau Naka Office. The goal is to make Naka Ward a beautiful and livable town, while also contributing to the global issue of reducing marine plastic waste. Cleanup activities will take place around the Kannai and Sakuragicho Station areas. In the previous event in 2025, about 380 participants collected 183 kilograms of trash.

Along the Ooka River system (including the Ooka River, Nakamura River, Hori River, and Horikiri River), nine waterfront facilities are being developed to enhance the area’s appeal, with plans for water recreation and use as disaster prevention bases. The completion of the “Ishikawacho Felice Pier” on the Nakamura River highlights ongoing waterfront development in the region.

Yokohama City is advancing the “Yokohama Pla 5.3 Plan,” which aims to ensure stable waste processing for the future, achieve a decarbonized society, and transition to a circular economy. This cleanup event aligns with the goal of citizens, businesses, and the government working together to pass on a good environment to future generations, under the motto “Don’t let trash flow from Naka Ward into the sea.”

On the day, participants will gather around the stone stage in Odori Park. After the opening ceremony, they will split into teams and clean designated courses around the Kannai and Sakuragicho Station areas. All necessary cleaning supplies will be provided by the organizers, so participants can join empty-handed. Various groups, including the social media community “I

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Yokohama City Hall

Yokohama City Hall is a modern architectural landmark in Yokohama, Japan, completed in 2020 as part of the city’s Minato Mirai 21 redevelopment project. The building serves as the administrative center for the city government, replacing an older city hall that had been in use since the 1950s. Its design emphasizes openness and disaster resilience, reflecting Yokohama’s history as a major port city that has continually evolved since its opening to international trade in 1859.

Kanagawa Daiba

Kanagawa Daiba, also known as the Kanagawa Offshore Fort, is a historic artificial island built in the 1850s by the Tokugawa shogunate to defend Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay) from foreign naval threats. Constructed in response to Commodore Matthew Perry’s arrival and the growing pressure from Western powers, the fort was eventually abandoned after the Meiji Restoration. Today, the site remains as a quiet, overgrown ruin accessible only by boat, serving as a tangible reminder of Japan’s turbulent transition from isolation to modernization.

Yokohama Central Wholesale Market

The Yokohama Central Wholesale Market, established in 1931, is a major hub for fresh seafood, produce, and flowers in the Greater Tokyo area. It played a key role in rebuilding the city’s food distribution system after the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II. Today, it operates as a bustling wholesale market that supplies restaurants and retailers across the region.

Yokohama Archives of History

The Yokohama Archives of History, located in the Naka Ward of Yokohama, preserves documents and materials related to the city’s history, with a special focus on its opening to foreign trade in 1859. Housed in a building that was once the British Consulate, the archives chronicle Yokohama’s transformation from a small fishing village into a major international port. It serves as a key resource for understanding Japan’s modernization and cross-cultural interactions during the late Edo and Meiji periods.

Odori Park

Odori Park is a large, rectangular green space stretching over 1.5 kilometers through the heart of Sapporo, Japan. Originally established in the late 19th century as a firebreak, it later became the city’s central park and a venue for major events, most notably the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. Today, it serves as a vibrant urban oasis featuring gardens, fountains, and seasonal attractions.

Ooka River

The Ooka River is a 48-kilometer river flowing through Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, emptying into Tokyo Bay. Historically, it played a vital role in the region’s development, serving as a key waterway for transportation and irrigation, particularly during the Edo period when it supported local agriculture and trade. Today, the river is known for its scenic walking paths and cherry blossoms, making it a popular recreational spot.

Nakamura River

The Nakamura River is a scenic waterway located in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan, known for its clear waters and role in the region’s traditional paper-making industry. Historically, the river supported local agriculture and was integral to the development of the town of Shimanto, often associated with Japan’s last remaining “clear stream” (the Shimanto River). Today, it remains a cherished natural landmark, offering visitors opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and enjoying the surrounding rural landscape.

Ishikawacho Felice Pier

Ishikawacho Felice Pier is a historic waterfront area in Yokohama, Japan, known for its role in the city’s development as a major port during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally built as a pier for shipping and trade, it has been transformed into a modern cultural and commercial complex featuring the iconic Yokohama Cosmo World amusement park and the Landmark Tower. The site blends its industrial heritage with contemporary attractions, offering visitors a glimpse into Yokohama’s maritime past.