Yokohama City's Chinatown

Yokohama City is home to what is said to be the largest China Town in Eastern Asia, with over 300 restaurants lining the streets, or 600 including other establishments besides restaurants, all awaiting customers.

There was a period in Japan known as the “isolation period,” where relations with other nations were strictly restricted between approximately 1640~1860. With ports opening in Yokohama and Niigata cities, the isolation period came to an end, with foreign visitors, products, and culture rapidly flooding into Japan through the both ports. After the port opened, Yokohama City’s Chinatown is said to have originated in its original form.

Also, foreign settlements were established on what used to be rice fields at the time. By having land coincidentally lined facing all directions, the Chinese who observe Feng Shui preferred and populated this area, which led to the origination of Yokohama City’s Chinatown.
Afterwards, when the settlement policies were abolished, the population increased even more, further developing the city.
As a result, in Yokohama City’s Chinatown, authentic Chinese cuisine became available in Japan. In Yokohama City’s Chinatown today, not only various regional Chinese cuisine across the continent, but authentic Taiwanese cuisine is also available.

Also, in this town, not only can one enjoy ‘eating’ food, one can also enjoy various ‘experiences.’ For example, one restaurant offers demonstrations to make your own steamed meat buns under professional instructions. Others such as Kantei-byo and Maso-byo are shrines to traditionally worship Chinese Gods. Also, gathers to practice traditional Chinese pugilism is held every Sunday.
Furthermore, there are so many other experiences available in Yokohama City’s Chinatown that cannot all be listed here. Please come discover your own experience here in Yokohama City’s Chinatown.