A campaign to reward people donning yukata, traditional Japanese summer clothing, at various summer events and major commercial facilities is underway in Yokohama through Aug. 30, the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB) said Aug. 10.

As part of efforts to lure foreign visitors and promote yukata, a learning session on how to dress in yukata was conducted at an international exchange event, "Tomodachi Machicon in Yokohama 2015" held on June 20 at Yokohama Marine Tower, a symbol of the port city. A total of 160 people including 41 foreigners took part in the first international "Machicon" (*1) event held in Yokohama. As for "Tomodachi Machicon in Yokohama 2016" to be held around the spring next year, information will be posted on the YCVB's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/helloyokohamatc) once details are determined.

Meanwhile, during "Minato Yokohama Yukata Matsuri 2015" started on July 4 in the areas of Yokohama Station's east exit, Minato Mirai and Yamashita-cho, people wearing yukata can receive discounts and gifts at locations such as the Yokohama Bay Quarter, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand hotel, the Sogo Yokohama department store, and on the Sea Bass water bus connecting scenic spots in the bay area.

Among summer events, visitors in yukata will get gifts at the "Minatomirai Dai Bonodori" dance festival (Aug. 14 and 15).

There are other summer events going on as well, such as Dino World 2015 in Yokohama (Jul. 18 - Aug. 31) and the Pikachu Outbreak! event (Aug. 8 - 16), in which a number of Pikachu, a world-famous Pokemon character, will appear in the Minato Mirai area.

(*1) The name "Machicon" represents interaction with "Machi," which is a Japanese word meaning town, and "contact" with other people regardless of race or nationality.

Yokohama Station East Exit Area URL: http://www.yokohama-east.net/

Chinese brochures available at: Pacific SOGO, Hong Kong SOGO, Tourist Information Centers, Yokohama Porta, Hara Model Railway Museum

English brochures available at: Tourist Information Centers, SOGO Yokohama, LUMINE Yokohama, Yokohama Porta, Keikyu Line Haneda Airport International Terminal Station (Keikyu Tourist Information Center), Hara Model Railway Museum

About the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau ( http://www.yokohamajapan.com/ ): Nonprofit organization, mainly funded by Yokohama City, established to promote tourism and conventions in Yokohama.

Source: The Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau