Japan’s Yokohama Daisekai

China Town is an often visited, familiar area of many major cities around the world, whether you’re looking for a real Chinese meal or other authentic Chinese cultural experience.

On November 30, Yokohama, Japan’s China Town saw the opening of an original China Town attraction, Yokohama Daisekai. Since its opening it has become one of the area’s most popular attractions among tourists and locals alike.

Yokohama Daisekai is a multi-story themed museum representing 1920’s and 30’s spirited Shanghai. It consists of several different ‘worlds’ and attracts more than 20,000 visitors every week. ("Daisekai" is a Japanese word meaning "Big World"). The themed concept incorporates dynamic visuals in the form of intelligent lighting and video projection to shape unique atmospheres on various floors of the museum. Coupled with the museum’s easy accessibility, the new themed concept has made the attraction quite popular.

Upon entering visitors receive a ticket to “The Past World” and jump into an elevator that whisks them to the top floor straight away. Here, on the 8th floor, the tour starts in Old Shanghai and descends through the different worlds and floors below where 26 MAC 250 Kryptons and 3 MAC 500 profile spots give life to the themed attraction.

Eighth floor: “Tower of Time” and “Corridor of Time”
On the eighth floor is “Tower of Time”, a clock tower surrounded by a magnificent sky and thousands of stars. Here, four MAC 250 Kryptons work alongside image projectors to create the proper atmosphere for the beginning of a trip to a nostalgic era of China.

Visitors then pass by several resident’s rooms at the “Corridor of Time” such as a library, a merchant family’s living room, an artist’s studio and so on. Dancing along with the cool jazz tunes from an old gramophone are four additional MAC 250 Kryptons that help form for visitors the illusion as if they were one of the residents of this era.

Seventh and sixth floors: “Stage of Time”
The seventh and sixth floors are a place for entertainment. Old Shanghai Jazz, “Kyogeki”, a typical Chinese play, traditional Chinese music and much more can be enjoyed here. Nine MAC 250 Kryptons form an important part of the show and perform smoothly for the festive crowd.

Fourth, third and second floors: “Gourmet Town and Market”
“Gourmet Town and Market” is an area where visitors can taste real Chinese food. Four well-established Chinese restaurants, and nine branches of popular Chinese restaurants in Japan are displayed in an elegant food court area for the visitor’s delight.

“Stairwell Park”
Finally, in the building’s main area called “Stairwell Park,” the theme turns to lighting. Every 45 minutes three semi-transparent projection drops fall from the fourth floor, forming a triangle onto which visual images from 9 MAC 250 Kryptons and 3 MAC 500s are projected. The gobo designs are unique and original for Yokohama Daisekai and perfectly match the atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy the show while having a tasty Chinese meal, though some just stop eating and completely absorb themselves in the dynamic show. Lighting design and supply for Yokohama Daisekai was completed by Q Works Corporation through Martin’s Japanese representative, Martin Professional Japan.

Produced by TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.
Music, lighting, construction by Q Works Corporation