Social Experiment for Traffic Conversion and Human-Centric Walkable Space Creation Centered on Palnade Street at Yokohama Station West Exit

Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Osamu Omoto) and the Park Line Promotion Council (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), in which the company participates, will cooperate in a social experiment hosted by the City of Yokohama and the Yokohama West Exit Area Management Association (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa) from May 29 (Fri) to May 31 (Sun), 2026, in the Yokohama Station West Exit and Minamisaiwai area.

This social experiment aims to verify the functions and spatial requirements needed for the future of the Yokohama Station West Exit, in line with the 'HUMAN ENERGY CORE' concept of 'Excite Yokohama 22.' The initiative seeks to promote walkable spaces by improving pedestrian safety and creating vibrancy.

Specifically, vehicle traffic will be restricted (converting to a pedestrian-only road) on a section of Palnade Street at the Yokohama Station West Exit. Additionally, the 'GREEN×EXPO 2027 COUNT DOWN FES VOL.2 with Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK ― #02 Toori ―' will be held as a collaborative event for the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (GREEN×EXPO 2027) to verify future spatial utilization through integrated public space usage. The 'Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK ― #02 Toori ―' initiative aims to test the potential of transforming 'Toori' (road space), which has traditionally been a 'space for passing through,' into a 'human-centric public space' where people can stay, interact, and enjoy themselves.

(1) Traffic Conversion Social Experiment | Verification of Pedestrian Safety Improvement
- Vehicle closure section ① Minamisaiwai Bridge: May 29 (Fri) and 30 (Sat), 2026, 9:00 - 19:00
- Vehicle closure section ② Part of Palnade Street: May 29 (Fri), 2026, 9:00 - June 1 (Mon), 6:00

(2) Public Space Utilization Social Experiment | Yokohama Nishiguchi OPEN PARK ― #02 Toori ―
- Date/Time: May 30 (Sat), 2026, 10:00-20:00, May 31 (Sun), 10:00-17:00
- Location: Yokohama Station West Exit / Minamisaiwai Area
- Host: Yokohama West Exit Area Management Association
- Co-host: City of Yokohama Urban Development Bureau
- Planning/Operation Cooperation: Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd.
- Planning Cooperation: Park Line Promotion Council (Member companies: Taisei Corporation, Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd., JTB Corp., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Daiwa Lease Co., Ltd., NTT Urban Solutions Research Institute, NTT East, Docomo Bike Share, Inc., Hakuhodo Inc., Japan Post Real Estate Co., Ltd.)
- Support: Japan Association for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo, Excite Yokohama Area Management Council

This social experiment is planned to be held in conjunction with 'GREEN×EXPO 2027 COUNT DOWN FES VOL.2,' 'Yokohama Rose Festa 2026,' and 'Well-Crossing Hub vol.2.'

Planning Cooperation by the Park Line Promotion Council
The Park Line Promotion Council is an intermediary support organization aimed at improving sustainable regional value through the utilization of public spaces that contribute to solving regional issues. In this social experiment, the council will design a comfortable space by laying 100% recyclable artificial turf and installing furniture.

We will continue to contribute to solving social and regional issues through collaboration with local communities and the public/private sectors, promoting walkable urban development that contributes to sustainable regional value.