Busy delegates who are short on time can still enjoy the charms of Japanese culture right at their conference. Below are some of YCVB’s recommended activities that can be brought directly to your event.

Tatami Workshop

Tatami are woven mats made of dried grass, a foundation of traditional Japanese homes. Their soft grassy scent often brings nostalgic memories to many Japanese. As a result of both Westernization and busier lifestyles hardwood flooring has gradually begun to replace tatami flooring. The Kanagawa Tatami Association in Yokohama helps to preserve tatami tradition not just in homes but also through local community workshops.

 

Conference delegates can learn about the intricacies of tatami at their conference through hands-on workshops and make tatami goods like coasters or keychains to bring the scent of Japan home with them.

 

Mumei-an Mobile Tearooms

Mobile tearooms offer attendees a chance to relax and enjoy authentic Japanese matcha in a serene setting.

These elegant wooden structures are crafted using wood sourced from local forests and built with Miyadaiku carpentry techniques, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. Passed down for over 1,400 years, Miyadaiku features intricate wood joinery techniques that avoid the use of nails.

Proceeds from the Mumei-an mobile tearooms go directly back into the community, funding forest preservation initiatives and training the next generation of Miyadaiku carpenters. This circular economic model aims to preserve both the environment and local traditions for generations to come.

Tearooms are available in sizes ranging from one to twenty tatami mats (approximately 2–40 square meters), making them versatile for a variety of spaces and purposes.

 

Oiran Dance

Often confused with geisha, Oiran were high-ranking courtesans in Edo-period Japan during the 1800s and early 1900s.

Their legacy lives on through Oiran Dochu, vibrant parades featuring Oiran reenactors who recreate the elaborate processions of the Edo period. Oiran Dochu parades are held across Japan and can even be incorporated into your conference program. These performances often include dance and touch of humor, making for an engaging cultural experience.

 

Shodo: The Art of Calligraphy

Translating literally to “the way of writing” Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) is an art form with roots in Zen. Works of Shodo are often displayed as works of art, and it is a custom for participants of Japanese tea ceremony to first gaze at a calligraphy piece to clear their mind.

 

Although getting the most fluid stroke may require years of practice, delegates try their hand at writing traditional Japanese characters right at their conference.

 

For opening ceremonies, a master calligraphy performance set to music can be a powerful, artistic way to express the event’s theme.

 

Calligraphy is an excellent creative and cultural experience to bring to your conference!

 

For more cultural entertainment ideas to add to your Yokohama conference, check our other pages:

• Entertainment
• Sustainable Activities

For inquiries: mice@ycvb.or.jp