Yokohama warehouse breathes of culture and history

The red-bricked Akarenga, originally a quayside warehouse, is gaining popularity as a tourist attraction in Yokohama, Japan. The Meiji Restoration has opened Japan to foreign culture and materials from abroad, but the country did not have a sizeable wharf or port to support this heavy increase. As such, in 1896 and in 1899, construction of the warehouse and wharf were done respectively. But with the steep decline of cargo during mid-1970, the warehouse was forced to close in 1989.

The Yokohama wharf started to become unattended which invited neighborhood thugs and gangs started to use the abandoned warehouses as hideout. From here, a twist in events happened. In 1992, concerned city authorities of Yokohama suggested to the Japanese government to purchase the abandoned warehouses to be used as culture spaces for citizens under the “Minato Mirai 21 Project”. In April 2002, the place was remodeled and now with a clean design fit to be revived as a culture space.

The Akarenga has one building on the east and two on the west. The first and only building located at the east side houses the main exhibition hall, the second building in the west side houses a restaurant and about 100 booths that sell clothes, pottery and accessories. The Akarenga periodically holds cultural events as well. This year, Akarenga will showcase its annual Flower Garden show, the ninth consecutive installment of the event. Interest with concerts by foreign musicians attracts high popularity as well.

The author has widely experienced playing in concerts and communicating with the audience through music. The author has continuously searched for different places where culture can be experienced and people can find rest. Yokohama’s Akarenga is a good example which can be backed by the artists who played in its halls and the citizens who have come to see it. Akarenga can be a good role model for Asia for Asians to enjoy and dip in the richness of culture. Lee Ki-bong CEO of El Chico Coffee Roasters | Summary by Rigoberto Banta Jr.