Towards Making Yokohama a "City of Chocolate." VANILLABEANS, a Craft Chocolate Specialty Store from Yokohama, Announces New Urban Concept "Chocohama City Concept ~Let's Make Yokohama Chocohama~"

CHOCOLATE DESIGN Inc. (CEO: Masahiro Otsuki, Headquarters: Yokohama) operated craft chocolate specialty store VANILLABEANS, originating from Yokohama, has announced a new urban concept, "Chocohama City Concept ~Let's Make Yokohama Chocohama~," aimed at evolving Yokohama into a "City of Chocolate." This concept strives to realize a society where everyone can be happy through chocolate.

What is the "Chocohama City Concept"?

Under the slogan "CHOCOLATES MAKE YOU HAPPY!", VANILLABEANS, a craft chocolate specialty store from Yokohama, proposes a completely new form of urban development. It is named the "Chocohama City Concept ~Let's Make Yokohama Chocohama~." The "Chocohama City Concept" is an urban concept to make Yokohama, VANILLABEANS' hometown, a "City of Chocolate." VANILLABEANS is now taking action with the aim of creating a system where everyone involved with chocolate can be happy.

"Chocohama City Concept" Promises 1. Develop chocolate sandy beaches in Yokohama. 2. Use chocolate for all building materials. 3. Install fountains dispensing hot chocolate. 4. Generate city energy using cacao mass fuel. 5. Issue and operate a local currency, "Cacao Coin."

The full details of the "Chocohama City Concept" can be found here: https://youtu.be/G_v8Ky-jDsQ

Win a New Product Under Development for 10 People!

Towards the realization of the "Chocohama City Concept ~Let's Make Yokohama Chocohama~," VANILLABEANS is developing a new product, "CHOCOLAT -ON THE BEACH-." Ten people will be randomly selected from those who agree with and share (follow & repost) the "Chocohama City Concept" to win the new product currently under development. We believe that your actions, as a chocolate lover, will create a bright future for Japan and a happy world. Come on, let's make Yokohama Chocohama!

Campaign details here: https://x.com/vanillabeans_mm ※ The prize campaign is real ※

Background of the Concept and President's Interview to be Released Sequentially

Details about the background of the "Chocohama City Concept," impromptu interviews with the president discussing future prospects, and the chocolatiers developing the new product "CHOCOLAT -ON THE BEACH-" will be released sequentially on social media and a special page within the online shop.

Official Social Media X: https://x.com/vanillabeans_mm (@vanillabeans_mm) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanillabeans_official/ (@vanillabeans_official)

Official Online Shop Special Page Official Website: https://www.vanillabeans.yokohama/view/page/choco-hama Rakuten Ichiba Store: https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/vanilla/choco-hama.html

※ April 1st is April Fools' Day. ※ While the "Chocohama City Concept" is an April Fools' Day project, we are currently developing "CHOCOLAT -ON THE BEACH-." It might become a commercialized product based on your feedback!? We kindly ask for your support and sharing (follow & repost) of the "Chocohama City Concept."

Social Media Hashtag 【 #チョコ浜都構想 】

About VANILLABEANS, a Craft Chocolate Specialty Store from Yokohama

VANILLABEANS was established in 2000, starting with online sales. Currently, it operates multiple physical stores and cafes, primarily in Yokohama Minatomirai, and is a craft chocolate specialty store born in Yokohama, focusing on quality from cacao.

Its signature product, the fresh chocolate sandwich 'Shocola' made with fair-trade chocolate, received the highest award, Grand Prix, at the Japan Food Selection in 2023. In December 2024, it was recognized as the No. 1 selling fresh chocolate cookie sandwich in department stores and specialty stores (※), receiving numerous accolades. (※) Survey conducted by GMO Research & AI Inc. from January to December 2023.

The company has a long history of sustainable initiatives. By accumulating sales, they have undertaken projects and created systems to bring smiles to everyone involved with chocolate, including the construction of a primary and junior high school in Ghana in the past. Currently, cacao planting and cultivation support projects are underway in the Republic of Ecuador. In June 2025, they made their third courtesy visit to the Embassy of Ecuador in Japan.