Bread that didn’t sell. Rice left behind. Grape skins after wine pressing. At Beer the First, these everyday “almost-wasted” ingredients find a second life in a glass of craft beer. Launched in 2021, the project began with RE:BREAD an eco-friendly beer brewed from unsold bakery bread in Yokohama. It has since grown into a playful…
A lunch tray can be a gateway to ocean sustainability. The Sus-Sea Project is Japan’s first initiative to bring sustainable seafood into a university cafeteria led by Yokohama City University. Launched in 2022 by TEHs, an official student group focused on the Sustainable Development Goals, the project turns everyday meals into meaningful action. By serving…
On November 25–26, the Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC 2025) was held in Yokohama, bringing together cities, international organizations, and innovators working toward sustainable urban futures. This year’s conference marked a historic milestone: the launch of the Asian Circular Cities Declaration, the first region-wide framework in Asia dedicated to accelerating circular city transitions. Yokohama proudly…
The City of Yokohama announced it will lead a call to establish an Asian Circular Cities Declaration at the upcoming Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC) 2025. The international conference is scheduled to take place from November 25 to 26 at Pacifico Yokohama. The City of Yokohama aims to create a framework for cities in Asia…
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,…
What if your daily soap told a story? Kurofune Soap blends Yokohama’s rich port history with today’s circular mindset. Crafted from used cooking oil collected locally, these handmade soaps aren’t just eco-friendly—they’re conversation starters. Each bar is shaped like the iconic “black ships” (Kurofune), connecting the past and present through a refreshing, sustainable experience. Take…
Circular Yokohama and our sister media IDEAS FOR GOOD screened its documentary The Repair Cafe on May 4 at the SDGs event “Plaza to Make the Earth Smile” held at TBS Akasaka Sacas Square. “Plaza to Make the Earth Smile” is part of TBS’s “WEEK to Make the Earth Smile” project, a related initiative designed…
We have added a new circular project “Seyamitsu Lab” in our database. What if beekeeping could help revitalize a neighborhood? Seyamitsu Lab is turning that question into reality. Launched by local youth in Yokohama’s Seya Ward, the Lab is using honey production and community collaboration to build a model of circular living—where people, nature, and…
On July 20, 2024, Circular Yokohama hosted a language exchange event, “Crafting in English! Let’s Make Lanterns with Discarded Aluminum can,” at its office / showroom “qlaytion gallery.” The event gathered 15 participants, ranging from children to adults, who enjoyed a creative and conversational experience in English. About “Meguru Hoshiten English Cafe” Meguru Hoshiten English…
From July 11 to 12, 2024, a delegation from Taiwan’s National Sun Yat-sen University (hereinafter NSYSU) visited Yokohama for a study tour focused on local decarbonization. This open program, organized by NSYSU, included 14 master’s and doctoral students specializing in public administration, accompanied by two academic staffs. Discussion on Decarbonization with Harch Inc. The tour…
Circular Yokohama welcomed the Circular Design Learning tour from Illinois, USA, on May 24, 2024. We hosted 14 students and two teachers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (hereinafter “UIUC”). About the Circular Design Learning with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign This one-day tour in Yokohama is part of UIUC’s special programs in sustainable design study.…
Circular Yokohama welcomed the “UNDP PHILIPPINES – JAPAN LEARNING EXCHANGE ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.” We hosted 14 delegates and 2 UNDP members from the Philippines between June 25 and 30, 2023. This article reports on the latter half of the five-day journey in Tokyo. The tour was co-hosted by Circular Yokohama and Zenbird.…
