"Ocean City Yokohama Umihaku 2026" is a hands-on event aimed mainly at the children who will shape the future, introducing the many appeals of the sea — ports, ships, marine technology, sea life, and more — through a wide range of content. It is one of Japan's largest events of its kind.
This year it runs during summer vacation, on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, spread across a record three venues: the Yokohama City Hall Atrium, the area around Osanbashi Pier, and, newly added this year, Nihon Maru Memorial Park.
Theme: "Expand Your Own Map"
The sea connects Japan with the rest of the world and supports industry and daily life, yet children have few everyday chances to encounter it. Umihaku creates opportunities to meet the sea through hands-on experiences from a variety of angles — ports, ships, marine technology, the environment, and more. The event aims to have each visitor's experience spark curiosity about a new world and broaden their future choices, becoming a starting point for drawing their own personal "map."
Hands-On Exhibits
A ship steering experience, exhibits about sea creatures, work experience related to the sea, and other content make for plenty of fun, educational activities.
Ship maneuvering simulator
Uniform-wearing experience
Workshops
A range of hands-on content is on offer, including making a kaleidoscope using microplastics and making an original keychain from bleached coral.
Kaleidoscope-making workshop using microplastics
Original keychain-making workshop using bleached coral
Stage Programs
Special guests connected to the sea will appear across a variety of stage programs.
Sakana Geinin Hattori (さかな芸人ハットリ)
A "fish comedian" who uses fish knowledge and comedy to entertain audiences.
Karibu Suzuki (鈴木香里武)
A "seawall young-fish collector" who uses only a hand net to search for juvenile and young fish at the water's edge of fishing ports.
Cruise Experience
A special cruise available only during Umihaku is on offer.
Ship Tours and Displays
Visitors can go inside a car carrier ship, a fireboat, a tugboat, and more. A water rescue vehicle, a cleaning ship, and a port service boat will also be on display.
Port service boat
Refrigerated container viewing
Activities
Programs new to the event this year, including sea kayaking, canoe polo, and underwater drone exploration, let visitors fully enjoy the sea. A "fishing experience" that requires no gear of your own is also available.
Canoe polo experience
Side Event: Personal Mobility Test-Ride (Ages 16 and Up)
Visitors can try out electric mobility devices designed to travel on sidewalks. The test-ride takes place at the North Plaza of Yokohama City Hall and on public roads in the surrounding area.
"Ocean City Yokohama Umihaku 2026" Event Overview
- Dates: Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Venues: Yokohama City Hall Atrium (6-50-10 Honcho, Naka Ward); Nihon Maru Memorial Park (2-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi Ward); and the area around Osanbashi Pier
- Organizer: Ocean City Yokohama Umi Council (海洋都市横浜うみ協議会)
- Co-organizer: City of Yokohama
- Admission: Free (some content requires a separate fee)
- Website: Umihaku 2026 special website
How to Reserve
Advance web reservations (by lottery, though some content is first-come, first-served) are required for the car carrier ship interior tour, the activity and cruise experiences, and some of the hands-on exhibits and workshops. Advance reservations are currently open through the Umihaku 2026 special website.
First-come, first-served reservation slots may already be full by the time this article is published.
