Yokohama Chinatown (Chuka-gai)

Address:

Naka-ku Yokohama-city, Kanagawa

Access:

Minato Mirai Line Motomachi Chukagai Station
JR Ishikawa-cho Station

History:

Yokohama Port was the first port to be opened to international trade in 1859 when Japan ended its national seclusion. Many Chinese came to Yokohama and began to build the Chinatown. Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan and is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. It's also called Yokohama Chuka-gai in Japanese.

Gates:

Yokohama Chinatown is surrounded by four main gates: Enpei-mon gate, Seiyo-mon Gate, Zenrin-mon Gate, and Choyo-mon Gate. In total, there are ten gates in the Yokohama China town, and these gates were built based on the Chinese horoscope.

Food:

In the Chinatown, there are over 500 restaurants, Chinese grocery stores, handcraft shops, and more. Walking around the streets is so much fun. A wide variety of Chinese dishes such as, Cantonese, Beijing, Shanghai, and Szeshwan cuisines are available. You might have to wait in a line to enter a popular restaurant. Manchin-ro is one of the oldest and the most popular restaurants.

Kantei-byo:

This gorgeous shrine is a symbol of Yokohama Chinatown. Kanwu (the God of business) is enshrined here. Stop by and see the inside of the shrine. It's beautifully illuminated at night.
Kanteibyo Website

Festivals:

Chinese New Year Festival (Shun-setsu) in Jan. and Feb.

Kanteitan Festival in July

Kokkei-setsu Festival in Oct.

More:

The Chinatown area is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Yokohama, so you should expect some crowds, especially on weekends. Enjoy the exotic atomosphere in Yokohama Chinatown.