Only a 3-minute walk from the Northeast Exit of Yokohama Station, the snow-white structure of Bay Quarter Yokohama shopping mall rises like a passenger ship. The mall will celebrate its 20th anniversary on August 24, 2026. Its operator, Yokohama Dia Building Management Corporation, a Mitsubishi Logistics group company, has designated 2026 as the “20th Anniversary Year” and launched a variety of projects to mark the occasion.

Over the past 20 years, Bay Quarter Yokohama has become a symbol of the Yokohama Portside district and an oasis for local residents, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. We asked four people from the corporate groups involved about the facility's history and visions for the future: Ryuichi Senoo, General Manager of Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation; Takeo Fukui, Representative Director, President of Yokohama Dia Building Management Corporation; and Tomoe Tanaka and Yuki Kimura also from Yokohama Dia Building Management Corporation.

The site where Bay Quarter Yokohama currently stands is the same place where Mitsubishi Logistics first established its presence in Yokohama. Senoo recounts the history during this important time:

“In 1914, Mitsubishi Warehouse & Transportation Co., Ltd (current name in English: Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation) opened its Yokohama Branch Office at this site and operated a warehouse business over many years. Urbanization progressed in the surrounding area, and the facility ceased to function as a warehouse in 1983. For a time, it functioned as a parking lot for the adjacent Sogo Yokohama store. In the 2000s, a mixed-use development plan was adopted, combining commercial, residential, and office space, and in 2006, Bay Quarter Yokohama was born.”

What's interesting is that Mitsubishi Logistics, which operates a real estate leasing business, established its own operating company for the mall.

“With a master lease to a commercial operator, the commercial facility itself would simply come to an end once the contract expires. We saw that the only way to ensure the facility’s long-term survival as a community-rooted institution was to operate it ourselves, so we established Yokohama Dia Building Management as a wholly-owned subsidiary. At first, we had some doubts about whether we were equipped to run the facility. It’s deeply moving to see it become so beloved by the local community. I feel this facility embodies Mitsubishi Logistics' purpose of ‘Supporting Today, Innovating Tomorrow.’ to be the foundation of the familiar and a constant presence for everyone,” says Senoo.

There have been challenges along the way, with one pivotal event in particular.

“When it first opened, there were more restaurants than other types of shops, and people didn’t think of it as a shopping destination,” explains Tanaka. “The turning point came in March 2010 with the second phase of development. We expanded the retail area on the lower floors of the office building, increasing the number of stores from about 75 to 100. Also, I believe its recognition as a shopping mall grew significantly after our first major renovation in 2013 that added even more retail stores. In particular, a major milestone came when the lifestyle brand ‘Niko and …’ opened its largest flagship store in Japan, measuring about 859.5 m2, at the facility’s entrance. Through the glass facade, which is a defining feature of the facility, shoppers can see seasonal and trending products. The shop carries home goods and furniture in addition to apparel, attracting visitors of all ages. Incidentally, in February of this year, the ‘Niko and…’ store underwent a major renovation and garnered attention by opening Japan’s first branch of the Hawaiian café-diner “goofy coffee+diner.”

Growth was further accelerated by the holding of “Yokohama Lantern Night,” an annual summer event that began in 2019. Featuring the illumination of colorful lanterns, the event aligns perfectly with the tastes of the social media era and has dramatically increased the number of young visitors. While open-air malls are often affected by seasonal changes and weather, this decorative event successfully turned that vulnerability into a unique strength.

“On rainy days, some people make a special trip just to ‘take pictures of the lanterns in the rain,’ perfectly highlighting the strength of an open-air mall,” says Tanaka.

Then, in 2024, the mall introduced a new concept called “OtonaResort" (a play on the words “Grown-up's Resort” and “Neighborhood Resort”). The concept was born out of the wish to create a shopping mall that is both close to people’s everyday lives and a place where adults can relax. This year, which marks the mall’s 20th anniversary, various events are being planned to “express our gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the years,” says Kimura, who highlights the following.

“The highlight of our 20th-anniversary celebrations is the spectacular Yokohama Lantern Night (now, through to September 23 at the Main Plaza on the 3rd floor). We’ve brought in 1,000 lanterns from Vietnam, making this the event’s largest display, to fill the entire venue. The 4-meter-tall ‘Lantern Cube’ in particular creates a space surrounded by light on all sides. It's a magical, immersive experience. During the event period, we’re also holding the ‘Cruise Passport Stamp Rally.’ Shoppers collect stamps on a passport-style card each time they make in-store purchases at participating shops to receive an original tumbler. Also, leading up to the opening anniversary day on August 24, the special 20th-anniversary event is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23. Plus, individual stores have a variety of initiatives to celebrate the anniversary, including limited-edition giveaways, special campaigns, and workshops for families.” Kimura adds, “I am especially delighted that our tenants have been so supportive, joining us in the spirit of ‘Let’s celebrate together,’ and the entire facility is working as one team to make this 20th anniversary a success.”

In recent years, the Yokohama Station area has seen a shift in foot traffic due to a rising number of entertainment facilities. Fukui envisions the future role of Bay Quarter Yokohama as follows:

“In the past, Bay Quarter Yokohama was a destination in and of itself. Now, it plays an increasingly vital role as a hub for routes connecting Yokohama Station to the waterfront and on to Minato Mirai. Despite being right next to the station, the facility is designed so that visitors can enjoy and immerse themselves in the open waterfront and quintessential Yokohama scenery, making it a valuable space where they can escape the everyday world. Carrying on the spirit of Mitsubishi Warehouse when it first set foot here, we will continue to produce new values that are one step ahead of the times.”

At the conclusion of the interview, we asked the interviewees who support Bay Quarter Yokohama every day about their “recommended ways to enjoy the mall and its charms.” Their answers reflect their deep personal attachment to Bay Quarter Yokohama.

Senoo suggests just zoning out at Bay Garden, while Fukui recommends spending time on the terrace, feeling the harbor town breeze. Tanaka recommends riding the ‘Seabus,’ a water bus that takes people to and from Bay Quarter Yokohama. "The sea breeze on the Seabus deck is refreshing. It revitalizes you," says Tanaka. Meanwhile, Kimura describes the facility’s appeal, saying, “Our closeness to our guests provides many opportunities for us to hear from them directly, such as when they tell us about how great Lantern Night is or how well Bay Quarter is being run.”

Over the past 20 years, Bay Quarter Yokohama has grown into an integral part of people's lives in Yokohama. With a heart full of gratitude for everything that has led up to this point, the mall will continue its journey into the next 20 years.

Bay Quarter Yokohama 20th Anniversary Special Website
https://www.yokohama-bayquarter.com/20th/