Yokohama Current Events & Activities

Everyone aged 20 to 59 living in Japan, including foreign nationals, is obliged to join the national pension plan (Kokumin Nenkin), and must pay the premiums. For details, please contact your local ward office, National Pension Section (Kokumin Nenkin Kakari).
Inquiries: (045) 671-2418 (*J)

Financial aid is available for high school students who exhibit high academic performance (grade point average of 4.0 and above) and personal qualities, and who have difficulties paying tuition (combined household income of 8 million yen or less). The parents or guardians of the students must be residing within the city of Yokohama.
Limit: Approx. 480 students
Amount of Scholarship: \5,000 per month (does not have to be paid back)
To Apply: Fill out an application form available at your high school, Information Service Section (Koho Sodan Kakari) of your local ward office or download from the Board of Education URL. Must apply via your high school.
Please apply by April 30.
Inquiries: (045) 671-3272 (*J)
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kyoiku/sidou2/syogakukin/

From April, the place to apply for day care/short term care institutions or applications of subsidies for training/assistance equipment for disabled children and severely mentally/physically handicapped persons, will change from the Child Consultation Center (Jido Sodanjo) to each ward’s Health & Welfare Center (Fukushi Hoken Center).
Inquiries: (045) 671-4278 (*J)

For guardians who are unable to look after their sick children (between 6 months old and 3rd grade) in the daytime, there are childcare centers that are attached to medical institutions, where such children can be taken care of. A new such center, attached to Sun Clinic in Asahi-ku, will open on March 1.
Location: Sun Clinic Byoji Hoikushitsu, SunCli Kids (3 min walk from Minami Makigahara Stn on the Sotetsu Izumino Line) *Tel (045) 366-6821 (*J)
Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:30-18:00 *closed on weekends and holidays.
Limit: 4 children per day
Fee: \2,000 per child for one day
*There are exemptions depending on income. *Costs for diapers will be charged separately.
To Apply: You need to register in advance in order to use this service. Please go to each institution or download the application form from Child & Youth Bureau Website.
Inquiries: (045) 671-2427 (*J)
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kodomo/unei/hoikuseido/byouji-hoiku2.html

Eligible registrants are healthy adults who are between the ages of 18 and 54.
Date&Time: Mar.20 (Wed), 11:00-17:00
Location: Yokohama Sogo 9F (3 min walk from JR Yokohama Stn)
Inquiries: (045) 671-2464 (*J)

Enjoy a springtime walk through the city of Yokohama!
Small gifts will be given to those who finish.
Date&Time: May.5 (Holiday), 10:00-16:00 (Registration is accepted until 12:00.)
Eligibility: Elementary school students and younger children must be accompanied by adults.
Limit: 5,000 people *First-come basis
Fee: \800 for advance registration and \1,000 for registration on the spot. *Fee includes insurance.
It is free for pre-school children.
Location: Minatomirai 21 area, Yamashita area (Bashamichi Stn on the Minatomirai Line)
To Apply: From Mar.20, pick up a registration form available at ward offices and sports centers. Use a postal payment form enclosed. Handling charge needs to be paid by applicants. Entries must be postmarked by Apr.24 (Wed).
Inquiries: (045) 640-0055 (*J)

Sawayaka Sports Festival 2013 is coming back this year!
Come and play various sports such as ground golf and nine-goal that both children and adults can enjoy. Prizes for those who finish the stamp rally! There are also other health-related stalls.
Date&Time: Mar.20 (Holiday), 10:00-15:15
Fee: \50 for each sport at the experience corner, \1,000 for posture measurement
Location: Yamashita Park (3 min walk from Motomachi/Chukagai Stn on the Minatomirai Line)
To Apply: Please go directly to the station.
Inquiries: (045) 640-0015 (*J)
URL: http://www.hamaspo.com/

Yokohama-shi Gino Bunka Kaikan (Yokohama Craftspeople Assembly Hall) was founded to encourage enhancement of the welfare and culture of craftspeople.
As part of its projects, it provides classes to introduce the skills of the experts.
①Making Tofu
Professional tofu maker will teach you how to make delicious tofu using domestic soy beans and natural bittern. Try fresh tofu which is as good as a professional product!
Date&Time: Apr.7 (Sun), 14:00-16:30
Location: Yokohamashi Gino Bunka Kaikan 6F Cooking Room (5 min walk from JR Kannai Stn)
Fee: \2,000
Limit: 30 people *First-come basis
②Learning How to Iron Skillfully
A professional cleaner will teach you how to iron a shirt beautifully, and other types of clothing that are sometimes difficult to iron. You can also bring home useful items for your washing.
Date&Time: Apr.14 (Sun), 14:00-16:00
Location: Yokohama-shi Gino Bunka Kaikan 1F Takumi Plaza (5 min walk from JR Kannai Stn)
Fee: \1,500
Limit: 30 people *First-come basis
How to Apply for ①&②: From Mar.11, go to the Location, telephone, fax, or send e-mail to apply. Provide E, A, N, T, E-mail address and specify the class you would like to apply for.
Inquiries & Applications: Tel: (045) 681-6551 (*J) Fax: (045) 681-6554 (*J)
E-mail: gibun@career-rise.co.jp
URL: http://gibun.jp/takumi/school.html

As part of the project to reduce global warming, a wakame seaweed harvest event will be held at Yokohama Sea Paradise. Wakame seaweed was planted last year, and springtime is the time of its harvest. While wakame grows in the sea, it absorbs nutrition and carbon dioxide which, if there is excessive amount, increases the amount of plankton, which leads to the cause of red tide. Planting and growing wakame seaweed, therefore, prevents the red tide from appearing, which results in the good environment of the ocean.
Date&Time: Mar.23 (Sat) and Mar.24 (Sun); 10:30-11:30
Location: Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise (Hakkeijima Stn on the Seaside Line)
Limit: 20 people each time *First-come basis
Fee: Free
To Apply: On the spot registration from 10:00 at Aqua Museum, in front of the Sea Para Seata (walrus-like character) statue.
Inquiries: (045) 671-4109 (*J)
URL: http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/

①Spring ephemeral concert
Come enjoy the early spring time!
Date&Time: Mar.16 (Sat), 9:30-16:30 *Cancelled in case of rain.
Fee: Free
*Free admission every Saturday for those who are under high school age.
*Admission to the zoo is \500 for adult.
②Celebrating Kanazawa Zoo’s 31st Anniversary
Date&Time: Mar.17 (Sun), 9:30-16:30
Fee: Free
URL: http://www2.kanazawa-zoo.org/
There will be a commemoration ceremony with events such as concert and exhibition booths.
Location: Kanazawa Zoo (Take a bus from Keikyu Kanazawa Bunko Stn)
To Apply: Please go directly to the location.
Inquires: (045) 783-9100 (*J) Fax (045) 782-9972