The electric seat board sharing service “Lime Rakumo” has officially launched operations in tourist areas of Naka Ward and Nishi Ward, Yokohama.
The service is operated by Lime, which provides electric mobility services in 30 countries worldwide, in partnership with eBoard, which has been operating shared mobility services in Yokohama.
“Lime Rakumo” features electric seat boards that allow users to ride while seated, designed with a focus on safety and comfort. The service has deployed 63 units across 9 ports maintained by eBoard throughout Yokohama, with plans to expand the number of locations. Major ports include Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, the sailing ship Nippon Maru, Yokohama Marine Tower, Yokohama Hammerhead, NABIOS Yokohama, Escar Yokohama, Rose Hotel Yokohama, and Ways Toyota Kanagawa Headquarters, expected to serve as transportation infrastructure connecting these locations.
The service aims to extend tourists’ stay time and increase consumption opportunities in the area by providing comfortable mobility between cruise ship ports and tourist spots.
Users can pick up and return the boards at ports using a dedicated smartphone app. The service began in Japan in August 2024, previously operating in 16 wards of Tokyo and Naha City, Okinawa. With this entry into the Yokohama area, it becomes the company’s third city in Japan.
The company stated: “In addition to tourists, we anticipate usage by business professionals working in the area and local residents. Lime and eBoard will work together to enhance the service while maintaining both convenience and safety. Lime aims to realize sustainable mobility that connects with public transportation as a next-generation transportation method with low carbon dioxide emissions.”
Usage fees: 30-minute pass (Limepass) = 490 yen (valid for one day), standard rate: base fee 100 yen + 30 yen/minute.
Hotel New Grand in Yokohama’s Naka Ward will begin accepting reservations for Christmas-limited cakes starting October 1st.
The 2025 holiday season theme is “Brilliant Holiday.” The hotel will offer five types of limited edition cakes including new creations: “Étoile Marron” (8,000 yen, limited to 40 units) featuring six layers of flavors including chestnut cream and passion fruit jelly inside a golden cake; “Neige Blanche” (8,000 yen, limited to 40 units) wrapped in green chocolate with two layers of baked cheesecake using domestic cream cheese and rare cheesecake using mascarpone; and the classic “Strawberry Shortcake” (5-inch: 8,000 yen, 7-inch: 15,000 yen).
Starting October 1st, the hotel’s directly operated shop “S.Weil by HOTEL NEW GRAND” will also begin accepting reservations for “S.Weil’s Bûche de Noël” (10,000 yen, limited to 20 units). The “Bûche de Noël” recreates the Christmas cake sold at the French pastry shop “S.Weil” (1951-2011) based on the original recipe. It features smooth, rich buttercream beautifully rolled in caramel coffee-flavored cake, with mocha cream blended with the “S.Weil” brand’s original coffee to express the realistic texture of a tree stump. Christmas-style decorations include rabbits, squirrels, and mushrooms made from marzipan and meringue.
Additionally, from December 1st to 25th, the hotel will sell the traditional German Christmas pastry “Stollen” (4,000 yen, limited to 70 pieces) without reservations or holds.
Cakes will be sold at the main building’s first-floor coffee house “The Cafe” (10:00-21:30). Reservation acceptance begins at 10:00 on October 1st and will close once the limited quantities are reached. Pickup period is from December 20th to 25th.
