Japan's Chinatown

Japan has three chinatowns in Yokohama, Nagasaki and Kobe. All of them originated as residential areas of Chinese merchants, who settled in Japan during the early 20th century, the second half of the 19th century and earlier.

Today, Japan's chinatowns are tourist spots, popular for their restaurants and "exotic" atmosphere, rather than residential areas of Chinese immigrants, even though Yokohama's Chinatown, for example, is still home to several thousand residents of Chinese descent.

Nagasaki Chinatown
Nagasaki Chinatown, also known as Shinchi Chinatown, is Japan's oldest chinatown. It was established as early as the 17th century, due to the fact that Nagasaki's port remained the country's only major port opened to Chinese trade during the era of isolation.

Over the centuries, the residents of Shinchi Chinatown have bestowed the city of Nagasaki which a Chinese flair not felt in any other of Japan's major cities.

Today, Nagasaki's chinatown is best known for its restaurants and their two most famous local noodle dishes, champon and saraudon.

Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown (Yokohama Chukagai) is Japan's largest chinatown, located in central Yokohama.

Yokohama Chinatown quickly developed, after the port of Yokohama had been one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. It became the residence of the many Chinese traders who settled down in the city.

Today, a large number of Chinese stores and restaurants can be found in the narrow and colorful streets of Chinatown, while the number of actual residents has been decreasing.

Four colorful gates stand at the entrances to Chinatown, and five more gates can be found within. The Kanteibyo is a gaudily colored temple in the center of Chinatown. Constructed in 1873 by Chinese residents, it is dedicated to the Chinese god of good business and prosperity.

A recent addition to Yokohama Chinatown is Daska, promoting itself as a food theme park. Daska's theme is the Shanghai of the 1920s, and its main attraction are three floors of food stands, some operated by well-known restaurants from China and Japan, selling various Chinese dishes. English language information is rather limited.

Kobe Chinatown
Kobe's chinatown, also known as Nankinmachi, is a rather small chinatown, but offers a nice atmosphere and some good food.

Nankinmachi developed as the residential area of Chinese merchants, who settled in Kobe after the city's port had been opened to foreign trade in 1868.