Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama Chinatown is known as one of the three major Chinatown streets in Japan along with Kobe Nankinmachi and Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, which is home to over 600 Chinese restaurants, herbal medicine shops, tea houses and grocery stores. Most of the buildings on the streets retain the traditional Chinese style of over 600 years ago, with dark blue and cyan tiles, upturned eaves and golden signboards. In addition, there are also temples with religious overtones and Chinese characteristics. During Chinese New Year, performances such as dragon and lion dances and traditional Chinese operas will also be held. 

History of Over a Hundred Years

The history of Yokohama Chinatown can be traced back to 1859 when the Yokohama Port was officially opened and foreigner’s residences were established. After the opening of sea routes between Yokohama and Shanghai as well as Hong Kong, some Chinese merchants also began to settle down in Japan. They built Kanteibyo Kuan Ti Miao, schools and other facilities around Yamashita-cho, and thus the Yokohama Chinatown began to take shape.  

In 1899, the residence regulations were abolished, so more Chinese people came to Japan, and the Chinatown developed very well. However, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 dealt a heavy blow to Yokohama Chinatown, forcing a large number of Chinese people to return to China. It was not until 1955 that Chinatown underwent a revival and was officially named “Yokohama Chinatown”.

The Bustling Street of Chinatown

A Paradise for Chinese Cuisine

There are over 600 shops in Yokohama Chinatown, among which more than 200 are Chinese restaurants. The cuisine here is most concentrated in Cantonese dishes, and it also gathers authentic Sichuan cuisine, Shanghai cuisine, Beijing cuisine and Taiwanese snacks.

Wanzhenlou Restaurant is a century-old Cantonese cuisine landmark in Yokohama Chinatown. Its classical Chinese decorations are very atmospheric and you can enjoy Hong Kong-style dim sum here. In addition, there is Du Ji Sichuan Restaurant, which is deeply loved by the locals. It offers generous portions and high value for money. Spicy shrimp, sweet skin duck and boiled-fish are must-order dishes, and the knife-cut noodles are also very chewy and delicious. 

Hong Kong-style Dim Sum

Shanghai Pan-fried Pork Bun

 There are also many popular snacks in the Chinatown. Shanghai soup dumplings and pan-fried pork bun are the signature pastries. The soup dumplings have thin wrappers and generous fillings. Just take a gentle bite and the juice will burst out. The bottom of the pan-fried buns is crispy and golden brown. The meat filling is juicy but not greasy. In addition, the crispy cha siu buns at Journey to the West Hong Kong Dim Sum Restaurant are recommended, which have the crust of pineapple buns and the fillings of cha siu, full of Hong Kong flavor. Taiwanese snacks like Taiwan big chicken cutlets, pepper cakes and taro paste egg yolk pastries are also very worth a try. The chicken cutlets have crispy skin and juicy fillings. The filling of pepper cakes is fresh and fragrant, while the taro paste egg yolk pastries are sweet but not greasy.  

In addition to food, you can also purchase a variety of Chinese seasonings, tea, ingredients and Chinese-style souvenirs here.

Chinese-style Gates and Temples

There are a total of ten brightly colored and exquisitely carved Chinese-style gates. These gates not only embody traditional Chinese architectural art but also carry profound feng shui cultural implications and reflect traditional Chinese thoughts. There is a main gate in each of the four directions of east, west, south and north of Yokohama Chinatown, namely Cho-yo-mon, Enpei-mon, Suzaku-mon and Genbu-mon. Among them, Cho-yo-mon is a symbolic building of the Chinatown. Its color scheme is very festive and it is a popular spot for tourists to take photos. 

Chinese-style Gate of Chinatown

There are mainly two important traditional temples in Yokohama Chinatown, namely Kanteibyo Kuan Ti Miao and Masobyo Miao. Kanteibyo Kuan Ti Miao is a spiritual symbol and core landmark of Yokohama Chinatown. It is magnificent and carries the history and blessing culture of overseas Chinese. Inside, Guan Yu, the martial god and the god of commerce, is enshrined. The temple architecture is extremely magnificent, with exquisite carvings and brilliant colors. It is worth a visit even if you are not a believer. The Masobyo Miao is located on the Silk Road inside the Suzaku-mon in Yokohama Chinatown. It was built to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Yokohama’s opening as a port. The architectural style adopts the octagonal style of traditional Chinese religious architecture, with elaborately carved beams and painted pillars, which echoes with the Kanteibyo Kuan Ti Miao. 

Colorful Celebrations around Chinese New Year

Traditional Lion Dance Performance

Yokohama Chinatown also hosts various traditional Chinese festivals and events. During Chinese New Year, usually in late January to middle February in the Gregorian calendar, dozens of huge lanterns are set up throughout the streets, which are very impressive when lit up at night. There are also traditional dragon and lion dance performances and grand New Year parades on the streets, with the sound of gongs and drums filling the air, brimming with the festive atmosphere. The interactive workshops such as lantern painting and lion dance experience will also be on site, as well as various limited-time theme markets.    

Useful Tips

1.    It is recommended to visit between 15:00 and 18:00, when most of the restaurants and shops in Yokohama Chinatown are open.
2.    When visiting the temples, you should dress neatly and appropriately to avoid exposing yourself. Speaking softly is needed and do not make noise. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temples. When entering the main hall, you must not step on the threshold but lift your foot to cross it, as the threshold is regarded as the sacred realm. 

Opening Hours

The Chinatown itself is open 24 hours a day. You can visit the streets, gates and enjoy the night views at any time. Admission is free.

Restaurants and shops: 11:00-21:00
Temples: 9:00-19:00 

How to Get There

1.    Take the subway Minatomirai Line and get off at Motomachi-Chukagai Station. It takes about one minute to walk directly from the exit to the entrance of Yokohama Chinatown, which is the fastest and the most convenient route.
2.    Take the railway JR Negishi Line or Keihin-Tohoku Line and get off at Ishikawacho Station. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk there from the north exit. 
3.    Take the municipal subway Line 3 and get off at Kannai Station. It takes about 7-10 minutes to walk there from the south exit.
4.    At the No.2 bus stop at the east exit of Yokohama Station, take a municipal bus such as No.106 or No.008 and get off at the Chinatown Entrance stop, then walk for 8 minutes to reach the destination.  

Nearby Attractions 

Yamashita Park
Minato Mirai 21