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Use furniture for 100 years and it aligns with the cycle of a growing tree. A craftsman’s job is to look after a piece of furniture for its entire life. [Yokohama Meister]

Yokohama furniture is said to have its roots in the repair of imported Western pieces brought into Yokohama, and it has continued to evolve by blending Japanese woodworking techniques with Western furniture design. The sole bearer of this tradition and craft is Rengeso Motomachi Kobo, led by Yokohama Meister Katsuto Uchida (内田勝人). In this article,…

Sep 1, 2026
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Charting a Path to Circular Cities That Reflect Local Character: The Team Behind Yokohama’s “Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum” on Urban Dialogue and Co-creation

On September 3–4, 2026, the "Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum 2026" will be held in Yokohama. We spoke with Toshikazu Yazawa (谷澤寿和) of the City of Yokohama's Policy Management and International Strategy Bureau—the official leading the planning of this inaugural forum—about the vision behind it.

Aug 27, 2026
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How Yokohama Empowers Civic Engagement[Yokohama’s Circular Journey, Vol.1]

*This article is a translated and edited version of a story originally published in January 2026 on “Green Hub in Asia,” a platform managed by the City of Yokohama’s International Affairs Bureau. It was produced by Harch Inc., the operator of Circular Yokohama, based on interviews with Yokohama City officials. Reducing household waste by 43%…

Mar 24, 2026
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Circular Hospitality in Action: Yokohama Bay Sheraton’s Approach to Food and Energy Cycles

While several hotels across Yokohama are embracing sustainability, Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers stands out for its integrated approach to circulating both food and energy within its operations. Conveniently located with direct access to Yokohama Station, one of the country’s busiest transportation hubs, the hotel introduces circular practices to a wide range of guests,…

Sep 29, 2025
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Regenerative Kelp Farming for Blue Carbon in Yokohama

Trees have the ability to absorb CO2, but did you know that kelp has similar powers too? Kelp can absorb five times as much CO2 as cedar, plus it can grow up to four meters in just four months! Such hidden powers didn’t get unnoticed by Sachiumi Heroes director Tatsunori Tomimoto. Since 2015, Tomimoto has…

Jun 11, 2022
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How haishop is turning Japan’s souvenir culture into a force for good

Choosing a gift for someone or buying a treat for yourself from time to time is delightful. What if that shopping is sustainable or contributes to realizing a better society? Wouldn’t it be even more fulfilling? Today, we are at a point where products have diverse features that it is difficult to differentiate one washing…

Dec 20, 2021
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Sustainable Vegan Ramen made with Yokohama local produce

Another vegan ramen choice is coming your way soon in Yokohama City! The Yokohama Vegan Ramen project is getting ready to serve another vegan option to locals with a new dandan noodle meal through crowdfunding. Initiated by the RCE Yokohama Youth Federation, the project was launched in October last year and has been developing the…

Oct 6, 2021
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No one will be left behind: Foodbank Yokohama brights the future in Yokohama

Food waste is one of the biggest social issues that should be dealt with in the world. According to the government of Japan’s website, the amount of domestic food waste in 2019 was up to 6,430,000 tons, which means we waste 50 kilograms of food for each person per year in Japan. Food Banks are…

Oct 1, 2020