Sustainable City Yokohama

As a harbor city that prides itself on its fresh air, clean water, and walkable green spaces,
Yokohama continuously strives to become Japan’s and the world’s foremost green smart city.

Green Venue: PACIFICO Yokohama

PACIFICO Yokohama, one of Japan's largest MICE facilities, is committed to achieving the goal of recycling 100 percent of the industrial waste generated by its facilities. At present, PACIFICO Yokohama is recycling approximately 90 percent of this material, which is one of the highest recycling rates in the world for MICE facilities. Also, stored rainwater is used as a coolant in the conference center and in its restroom fixtures, thereby applying renewable thinking to the use of physical structures.

PACIFICO Yokohama provides separate waste containers for different kinds of garbage with illustrated instructions for their use and signs that clearly explain the waste-disposal process. PACIFICO Yokohama provides waste reports to organizers on request so they can determine the recycling rate and accurately assess its climate impact. By providing visuals that clearly explain its methods, PACIFICO Yokohama can actively reduce waste.

Furthermore, electricity generated by the incineration of PACIFICO Yokohama’s industrial waste and biomass energy produced by methane fermentation of the facility’s food waste are supplied to neighboring Rinko Park—one step in a circular economy. As of November 2023, Rinko Park itself achieved net-zero CO2 emissions, an important milestone, but only the start of its sustainability trajectory.

More information on PACIFICO Yokohama’s legacy of sustainability:
https://sustainable.pacifico.co.jp/english/

Public Transportation

Yokohama has a compact and highly interconnected city center that offers a range of sustainable modes of transport for delegates to choose from.

Walkable City

Parks, hotels, shopping outlets, restaurants, and countless entertainment facilities are within easy walking distance of the main convention center. Yokohama has also advocated an increase in the number of pedestrian-only and wheelchair-accessible areas, further facilitating movement within the city.

Cycling City

A bicycle-sharing system operates close to the convention center, and delegates have access to over 500 cycle ports around the city.

Sea-Bus City

A cruise boat links the convention center and nearby parks with the center of the city, with boats departing every 30 minutes.

Clean energy

The Minato Mirai district, where PACIFICO Yokohama is located, uses a localized heating and cooling system in many buildings and throughfares that balances the heat load and reduces total energy consumption. The city also generates energy from renewable sources and uses it in local infrastructure, such as the moving walkways that connect the convention center with the nearby station.

Healthy Marine Resources

Yokohama has been a proud host of the annual ITU (International Triathlon Union) World Triathlon Championship Series since 2009. Hosting this world sports event provides an important opportunity for the City of Yokohama to improve ocean biodiversity. The City of Yokohama works with a partner company to purify sea water and bring back seaweed, fish, and shellfish to the harbor.

Nature-First Urban Development

Yokohama is first and foremost a beauty spot with its open spaces and green zones, and the city is taking steps to make itself even more aesthetically pleasing for both residents and convention delegates. The Minato Mirai area may have long ago evolved into an innovation hub that major companies have chosen for their headquarters and R&D facilities; however, the historical and cultural assets and the values that make the area unique remain to this day.

Urban development soft-ened by greenery and flowers

Yokohama is expanding its existing open spaces and adding new greenery zones to make the city even more enjoyable for residents and convention delegates alike. Greenery and parks are an integral part of the city’s urban planning, dating back to the opening of Yamate Park, the first ever western-style public park in Japan. This abundant greenery is exactly why the upcoming GREENxEXPO 2027 (2027 International Gardening Expo) is also due to be held in Yokohama.

The Yokohama City Visitors Bureau takes pride in raising awareness of sustainability issues with the organizations and businesses we work with:

An Introduction to Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability Best Practices of Yokohama

Please join us in building a legacy of sustainability in Yokohama!