We will Conduct a Social Experiment Aimed at Traffic Restructuring around Palnade Street as a Center at the West Exit of Yokohama Station, and Creating a People-centered Walkable Space
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) and Park Line Promotion Council (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), in which our company participates in, will cooperate in a social experiment organized by Yokohama City and the General Incorporated Association Yokohama West Exit Area Management (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) for three days from May Friday, 29th to Sunday, 31st, 2026, in the Yokohama Station West Exit/Minami-Sachi area.
The social experiment aims to verify the functions and spatial characteristics required for the future of Yokohama Station's west exit, in order to realize the "HUMAN ENERGY CORE" concept of "People-friendly Space" in "Excite Yokohama 22." The purpose of this initiative is to promote the creation of walkable spaces by improving pedestrian safety and creating a lively atmosphere.
Specifically, vehicle traffic restrictions (making it a pedestrian-only street) will be implemented on a section of Palnade Street at the west exit of Yokohama Station, and the "GREEN×EXPO 2027 COUNT DOWN FES VOL.2 with Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK - #02 Toori -" event, a collaborative event with the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition (GREEN×EXPO 2027), will be held to examine future ways of using public space through integrated utilization of public space.
The Social experiment's initiative to utilize public space ("Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK - #02 Toori -") aims to verify the possibility of transforming Toori (road space), which has previously been a "Space for Passing Through," into a "People-centered Public Space" where people can stay, move around, and enjoy themselves.
(1) Social experiment on traffic shifting | Verification of improved pedestrian safety
・Road closure section ① Minami-Sachi Bridge: Friday, May 29th and Sunday 30th, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Both days: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Road closure section ② Part of Parnade Street: 9:00 AM Friday, May 29th - 6:00 AM Monday, June 1st, 2026
(2) Public space utilizing social experiment | Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK - #02 Toori -
| Date and Time | 10:00 AM-20:00 PM Saturday, May 30th - 10:00 AM-17:00 PM Sunday, May 31st, 2026 (Reiwa 8) *The experiment may be partially modified in case of rain. |
|---|---|
| Place | Yokohama Station West Exit/Minami-Sachi area |
| Organizer | General Incorporated Association Yokohama West Exit Area Management |
| Co-sponsored | Yokohama City Urban Development Bureau |
| Planning· Operational Cooperation |
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. |
| Planning Cooperation | Park Line Promotion Council (hereinafter referred to as member companies) Taisei Corp., PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD., JTB Corp., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Daiwa Lease Co., Ltd., NTT Urban Solutions Research Institute, Inc., NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE EAST CORPORATION, Docomo Bike Share, Inc., Hakuhodo Inc., Japan Post Real Estate Co., Ltd.
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| Sponsored by | Japan Association for the International Horticultural Exposition 2027 Excite Yokohama Area Management Council |
The social experiment is planned to be conducted in conjunction with "GREEN×EXPO 2027 COUNT DOWN FES VOL.2", "Yokohama Rose Festa 2026", and "Well-Crossing Hub vol.2".
Details of the project collaboration by General Incorporated Association Park Line Promotion Council
General Incorporated Association Park Line Promotion Council, is an intermediary support organization whose purpose is to promote sustainable regional value enhancement through the utilization of public spaces that contribute to solving local issues.
*Official website: https://parkline.jp/
In the social experiment, we will lay 100% recyclable artificial turf within the area and install furniture to design a comfortable space.
We will continue to work in partnership with local communities and the public and private sectors to contribute to resolving social and regional issues and promote the creation of walkable towns that contribute to the sustainable improvement of regional value.