Enjoy Art While Ice Skating at the Art Rink in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

A Unique Skating Experience That Adds Colour to the Winter Season

As winter approaches Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, the event plaza outside the iconic Red Brick Warehouse - which was closed for major renovations but has reopened on 6 December - turns into a spacious outdoor ice skating rink surrounded by art!

Started in 2005, Art Rink is a collaborative project that showcases the works of various local artists around the ice rink to liven up the frosty winter season. It has since grown into a popular seasonal event that attracts many people every year to experience this unique winter activity.

©大野隆介

Held at the charming Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, this pair of century-old buildings that stands in the Shinko area is an attraction by itself. Built in the early 1910s to facilitate Yokohama’s new port operations, it is a historical icon reminiscent of its past as a bustling trading hub. 

Today, both beautifully restored warehouses have been converted into one of Yokohama's most popular spots to hang out and one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. There are many unique shops and restaurants to spend the day in. You can also head outside to enjoy the scenic oceanfront view of Yokohama Bay Bridge and Osanbashi Pier.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse often hosts a variety of exciting and interesting events at its expansive outdoor event space and Art Rink is one of the yearly affairs that many look forward to. Collaborating with different artists every year, this meaningful event transforms an otherwise ordinary outdoor ice-skating rink into an art space for people to enjoy. 

©大野隆介

The winter of 2022 welcomes the 18th season of Art Rink, featuring contemporary artist Yuya Saito. Based on Saito’s artistic interpretation of the relationship between humans and the city, he creates ”DANCE WITH GHOST”, a symbol with no mass that can cross the borders between reality and the virtual world.

©サイトウユウヤ

Besides a 40-metre mural adorned with cute ghost illustrations, visitors can also interact with digital art on their smartphones using AR (augmented reality) for an immersive experience.

For those who want to soak in some festive cheer, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse also holds a western-style Christmas Market (Christmas Market at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse）with festive foods and Christmas goods.