Yokohama Sparkling Twilight 2013

Each year, Yokohama port hosts "Sparkling Twilight", in which festival attendees can enjoy food, alcohol, fireworks, boats lit up and other events in the harbor. I joined my friend Samurai, who played host for the evening's festivities.

A preview of the sparkling evening:

These flammingos lined the street leading to the port.

First, we explored the area near Sakuragicho station and visited the Yokohama City Library. Likely the best and biggest library with foreign language materials in Kanagawa, Yokohama City Library had a huge selection of English newspapers, magazines and books. It's highly recommended for expats living in or around Yokohama. The only downside: you must be a resident, student or working in Yokohama to take out materials. The library's website in English, is HERE. Google Map is HERE.

If you continue up the hill from the library, you'll reach Nogeyama Zoo. It was closed when we arrived, but I did spot some cute graffiti:

Turning left at the zoo, and continuing up the hill, you'll come across a large public park which has incredible views of Yokohama. This viewpoint was almost deserted, so it's a great place to watch the sunset in private.

View shows Landmark Tower, and Minato Mirai (Cosmo World Amusement Park): 

This park had a hidden surprise: it hosted women's volleyball and men's soccer during the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games! This monument is all that is left to honor the memory of those sporting events. Sports can be enjoyed in the park, but now, only a basketball court is available for rent. You can read the wiki page for the 1964 Summer Olympics HERE.

As dusk began to fall, we headed over to Osanbashi to view the fireworks show, which began at 7:30PM. Osanbashi turned out to be the perfect viewing platform, as the fireworks were launched from a ship in the harbor, about 500 meters from our location. I took a video; please enjoy the sparkling night show!

Information:

Yokohama Sparkling Twilight is held every year in early September. This event lasts two days (usually Saturday and Sunday). The main event area is Yamashita Park, near the harbor front. Access: From Yokohama station, take the JR line to Sakuragicho station. Walk about 10 minutes to Yamashita Park. Or take the JR line to Kannai station, walk about 5 minutes to the park. 
Information about this year's event is HERE. The Japanese site is HERE. 

Osanbashi is the cruise ship terminal for Yokohama. It's very close to Yamashita Park. Information is HERE.

Access to Yokohama City Library (Chuo): From Yokohama Station, JR line to Sakuragicho station. At the exit gate, go right, down the stairs. Walk through the underground passage and go up the stairs at the far end. Outside, to your left, you'll see a signpost in white. Follow the signs from there that say: "City Library".