Magcal Report Vol.1 The 65th Yokohama Parade

Yokohama Port Opening Commemoration Festival 65th The Yokohama Parade (International Costume Procession)

The Yokohama Parade (International Costume Procession) is held every year on May 3rd (Naka Ward, Yokohama). It began as a national urban parade on June 2nd, 1953, the anniversary of the Port Opening, and this year marks its 65th anniversary. In order to bring vitality to Yokohama, whose postwar recovery was slow, the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry came up with the idea of taking advantage of the port's international character to hold an international costume procession that would be a major attraction that would draw large numbers of people to Yokohama, and that foreign residents could also participate in.

It is made up of a 1.4km "Kids Parade" mainly featuring marching bands of elementary school children, and a 3.4km "Super Parade" featuring gorgeous floats (decorated cars), the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Band, idols, cosplayers, etc. Starting in front of Yamashita Park, the parade marches through the Red Brick Warehouse, Bashamichi Shopping Street, and Isezaki Mall, making it a seasonal sight in Yokohama during Golden Week.
The event was themed on the meaning of the rose, which was designated Yokohama's city flower in 1989, and this year 64 groups, or about 3,500 people, participated, with organizers reporting that 380,000 people gathered along the route.
This time, we will be introducing the "Yokohama Kawaii Parade," featuring local idols from Yokohama and around the country, and people dressed up in costumes based on anime, games, and other aspects of Japan's world-famous pop culture.

"Yokohama Port Opening Commemoration Festival 65th The Yokohama Parade (International Costume Procession)"
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (National Holiday)
[Kids Parade] 10:45 a.m.
Yamashita Park (Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku) ⇒ Silk Center ⇒ Yokohama Customs Intersection ⇒ Shinko Bridge ⇒
In front of the Red Brick Warehouse ⇒ Bankokubashi intersection
Total length: 1.4km
[Super Parade] 11:15 a.m.
Yamashita Park (Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku) ⇒ Silk Center ⇒ Yokohama Customs Intersection ⇒ Shinko Bridge ⇒
In front of the Red Brick Warehouse ⇒ Bankokubashi Bridge ⇒ Bashamichi Shopping Street ⇒ Isezakicho 1-chome ⇒ Isezakicho 6-chome
Total length: 3.4km

Opening Ceremony

At the opening ceremony held at the central entrance of Yamashita Park, speeches were given by Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ueno Takashi, Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa Yuji, Yokohama City Mayor Hayashi Fumiko, Yokohama Tourism Goodwill Ambassador, Miss Hakodate, Niigata Tourism Goodwill Ambassador, Smile Kobe, and Romance Nagasaki.

Miyakoda Nishi Brass Club "Yokohama Verde Viento"

The kids parade kicked off at the Yokohama Verde Viento brass club in Miyakoda Nishi. Mostly elementary school children paraded around dancing and performing in marching bands.

From left: Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Takashi Ueno, and Yokohama City Mayor Fumiko Hayashi

The float also features a balloon with the Magcal logo.

Next was the Super Parade, which adults could participate in. Five large floats, consisting of organizers and supporting companies, took part in the parade. The organizers' (Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Yokohama City) float depicted the history and culture of Yokohama, represented by "flower girls" who flourished when the port was first opened, and "hot air balloons" carrying the future of Yokohama, which evoked the image of a fusion of history and the future.

"Matoi Kiyari Parade" by the Yokohama City Construction Industry Association (Yokohama Traditional Firefighting Preservation Society)

This is the "Matoi Kiyari March" by the Yokohama City Construction Industry Association (Yokohama Traditional Firefighting Preservation Society). Kiyari was originally a call or signal sung to unite the forces when carrying large trees. We were able to hear work songs that give a sense of Japanese history and culture.

Yokohama Chinese College Alumni Association

Next, let's introduce the international team. The Yokohama Chinese Academy Alumni Association performed Chinese lion and dragon dances with the sound of firecrackers and smoke. They performed very close to the sidelines, so the audience cheered loudly, and some even had their heads bitten by the lions.

, "Japan-Korea Friendship Parade for the Success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics".

The Kanagawa Prefectural Headquarters of the Korean Residents Union in Japan announced the "Japan-Korea Friendship Parade to celebrate the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics."

Garantido (USJ)

Garantido (USJ) performed live singing and samba as a "bridge of friendship from Brazil."

In addition to the local Yokohama idol group "Ponica Road," which participates every year in the Yokohama Kawaii Parade, about 300 people took part in the parade, including popular idol groups "Kamiyado" and "Beboga! (Niji no Conquistador Yellow Team)," as well as cosplayers dressed as various characters.

At Yamashita Park, the Yokohama Port Opening Commemoration Festival "Yokohama Kawaii Park - J-Pop Cuture Festival 2017" was held from the 3rd to the 5th. There was a food court and many idols performed on stage, livening up the venue.

From the Magcal editorial department
Yamashita Park, with its colorful roses and a view of the harbor and ships, was bustling with people waiting for their turn to take part in the parade and people relaxing in the food court. When the camera was pointed at the participants, they posed and flashed their biggest smiles, and it was invigorating to watch. This international parade, which is open to a wide range of age groups, is sure to remain a Yokohama tradition for many years to come.