Experience a circular lifestyle! Circular Yokohama presents “Circular October 2023”

Circular Yokohama, operated by Harch, is hosting “Circular October” this month. This event aims to promote the adoption of a circular lifestyle.

To realize the transition towards a circular economy at the local level, it is essential for not only businesses and local authorities but also each and every resident in the community to be actively involved. Therefore, Circular Yokohama, an online platform that aims to promote the circular economy in Yokohama, has chosen to designate the month of October as “Circular October, “envisioning the “10” in October as “| & ◯ (a straight line & a circular shape).”

In this initiative, they collaborate with various organizations throughout Yokohama city to host multiple events over the course of approximately one month. Throughout this period, they offer engaging experiences for both adults and children through more than 10 projects revolving around the theme of “circularity,” including participatory workshops and permanent exhibitions.

Please check the details and feel free to join us for an enjoyable outing!

Circular October Event Overview

• Event Period: October 3 to October 31, 2023
• Venue: qlaytion gallery and other locations
• Address: B-2-7, 2nd Floor, Hoshiten qlay, 1-1-1 Hoshikawa, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
  (Note: Some events will take place at different locations. Please refer to the details of each project.)
• Organized by: Circular Yokohama (Harch Inc.)
• Cooperation: actcoin (Social Action Company, Inc.), Ishii Zouen Landscape Co., Ltd., Shinichi Nakata (Painter), PILE – A collaborative studio – (Route Design LLC), YADOKARI Co., Ltd., and others

qlaytion gallery (Image: Circular Yokohama)

The theme is “Add a spice of ‘circulation’ to what you love”

In 2023, Circular October’s theme, in its inaugural year, is “Add a spice of ‘circulation’ to what you love.”

Circular economy, which aims to address various environmental and social challenges such as climate change, resource constraints and the realization of well-being, has garnered attention as one of the means to build a sustainable society. However, many people may feel that putting it into practice is difficult or that they don’t know how despite understanding its importance.

Therefore, various events with the keyword “circulation” in approachable themes such as reading, coffee, gardening, language learning and more are planned. The idea is that by experiencing what you find enjoyable and love, you can bring the concept of the circular economy closer to your daily life and simultaneously understand the importance of resources.

Circular Yokohama aims to provide opportunities and explore methods together with individuals to incorporate circulation into their daily lives.

Circular October Special Projects

A series of events that allow you to enjoy practicing a circular lifestyle with ease, combining everyday hobbies and new interests with circulation, like being a café.

Hoshiten Circular Book Café

Circular Yokohama previously hold various events related to books and reading. This month, they will hold reading-aloud sessions. Let’s read aloud your favorite line from the story you love. By listening to and vocalizing your precious line, you may discover something new.

• Date and Time: 1st Session: October 10, 2023, 6:30-7:30 pm / 2nd Session: October 21, 10:00-11:00 am
• Participation Fee: ¥500 per session
• Details and Registration: https://hoshiten-bookscafe.peatix.com/ (in Japanese)

A scene from Hoshiten Circular Book Café (Image: Circular Yokohama)

Hoshiten Circular English Café

A casual café-style learning sessions that focus on speaking English. Ages, nationality, and language level does not matter! Anyone who has a passion and dedication to language and cultural exchange can join this new community.

• Date and Time: 1st Session: October 17, 2023, 6:30-7:30 pm / 2nd Session: October 28, 2023, 10:00-11:00 am
• Participation Fee: ¥500 per session
• Details and Registration: https://hoshiten-englishcafe.peatix.com/

Hoshiten Circular Art Café

After a coffee break, there’s often leftover coffee grounds that are discarded. In this workshop, they will use these coffee grounds to create art. The instructor is Shinichi Nakata, a Japanese painter, sculptor and art lecturer. Why not experience a workshop where you can discover new value in materials through art?

• Date and Time: October 21, 1:00-2:00 pm
• Participation Fee: ¥1,000
• Cooperation: Japanese painter/sculptor and art lecturer, Shinichi Nakata
• Details and Registration: https://hoshiten-coffeearts.peatix.com/ (in Japanese)

A sample artwork from Hoshiten Circular Art Café (Image: Circular Yokohama)

Hoshiten Circular Bonsai Café

Using pine cones, a symbol of autumn, let’s make our own original moss balls (kokedama). The instructor is Naoki Ishii, the representative of Ishii Zoen in Sakae Ward. Whether you want to learn about bonsai care, creating your garden or enjoying flowers, feel free to join us.

• Date and Time: October 28, 1:00-3:00
• Participation Fee: ¥3,500
• Cooperation: Ishii Zouen Landscape Co., Ltd.
• Details and Registration: https://bonsaicafe.peatix.com/ (in Japanese)

A sample work from Hoshiten Circular Bonsai Café (Image: Circular Yokohama)

Hoshiten Circular Craft

This is a project where you can enjoy crafting by bringing unused materials you have at home. The menu varies each day, from accessories you can wear to sustainable items that make your life more convenient. No reservation is required. Feel free to drop by during the event hours. The menu will be announced on our Instagram.

• Date and Time: Every Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 pm
• Participation Fee: ¥500 per session
• Details and Information: https://www.instagram.com/circular_yokohama/

Exhibition from October 3 to October 31

Hoshiten Circular Library

This is a community bookshelf for passing on books that someone no longer reads to the next reader. Anyone, from children to adults, can exchange books through our bookshelf. You can bring any types of books from picture books to novels and even business books. These books will circulate through the local are and they will keep being shared.

• Dates and Times: Weekdays (excluding Wednesdays), 1:00-5:00 pm
• Details: https://circular.yokohama/en/2023/08/10/circular_library/ (in Japanese)

Circular Library (Image: Circular Yokohama)

Circular Gacha

A capsule toy machine (Gacha in Japanese), which you can enjoy the resource recycling by inserting PET bottle caps instead of coins. Prizes include keychains made from collected PET bottle caps. Please bring used PET bottle caps and you can have one turn of the gacha!

• Dates and Times: Mondays and Tuesdays, 1:00-5:00 pm
• Details: https://circular.yokohama/en/2023/03/10/capsule-toy-machine/

Circular Gacha (Image: Circular Yokohama)

YOKOHAMA CIRCULAR DESIGN MUSEUM

A mobile museum where you can see, touch, and learn about the circular economy in Yokohama. Discover delightful Yokohama products and services with beautiful circular designs, such as up-cycled items and art pieces from waste generated in the city.

• Dates and Times: Weekdays (excluding Wednesdays), 1:00-5:00 pm
• Details: https://circular.yokohama/en/yokohama-circular-design-museum/

YOKOHAMA CIRCULAR DESIGN MUSEUM (Image: Circular Yokohama)

About the Venue and Access

• Venue: qlaytion gallery
• Business Hours: Weekdays (except Wednesdays) 1:00-5:00 pm
• Closed on: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
• Address: HOSHITEN qlay #B-2-7, 1-1, Hoshikawa 1-Chōme Hodogaya, Yokohama, Kanagawa
  Japan 240-0006
  *Some events may have different locations. Please check the details for each project.
• Directions: Exit the ticket gate of Hoshikawa Station on the Sotetsu Line, turn left, and proceed straight to the end of the corridor (Access Video).
• Organizer: Circular Yokohama (Harch Inc.)
• Instagram: To see event updates and reports, visit Instagram (@circular_yokohama).

Collaboration Partners Wanted!

Circular Yokohama is looking for partners who want to collaborate with our project “Circular October.” If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

• Circular Yokohama (Harch Inc.)
• Email: contact@circular.yokohama

[Reference] Experience a circular lifestyle! “Circular October 2023” Presented by Circular Yokohama | Circular Yokohama
[Related Website] Circular Yokohama