Yokohama Chinatown a Feast of Authentic Flavors

Spread across a district near Yokohama harbor, Yokohama Chinatown is one of Japan largest Chinatowns. It took shape after the port opened in 1859, as many people settled here from Guangdong, Shanghai, and elsewhere in China, and it now carries more than 150 years of history. Counting restaurants, sundry shops, and souvenir stores, over 600 shops line its streets, of which around 200 are Chinese restaurants. Pass through the colorful gates and the whole avenue fills with the steam of pork buns and soup dumplings and the savory aroma of stir fried dishes. From casual street snacks to full course banquets, it is a town where you can enjoy Chinese cuisine in whatever style suits you.

Highlights

• Strolling the lively lanes beneath the ornate gates that name each street
• Snacking on dim sum such as pork buns, soup dumplings, and pan fried buns
• Comparing the distinct flavors of Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai, and Beijing cooking
• Admiring richly decorated buildings like the Kanteibyo and Maso temples

Enjoying the Seasons

During the Lunar New Year the streets come alive with lion dances and parades, the busiest moment of the year. Summer brings cool almond tofu and mango sweets. In autumn and winter, hairy crab and steaming hot pot beckon, and warm dim sum tastes even better.

Access and Basic Information

• Steps from Motomachi Chukagai or Nihon Odori stations on the Minatomirai Line
• Within walking distance of JR Ishikawacho Station
• Many shops open from midday into the evening and grow very crowded on weekends
• Street snacks mostly cost a few hundred yen, and snacking alone runs around two thousand yen
• Eat snacks at designated spots and follow each shop rules for waste

Practical Travel Notes

• Weekend and holiday lunch hours are especially crowded, so just after opening or later in the afternoon is calmer
• A good plan is to graze on street snacks while saving one shop for a leisurely course meal
• The Lunar New Year usually falls between late January and February, with lion dances and parades as highlights
• Motomachi shopping street and Yamashita Park are within walking distance of Chinatown for easy strolling
• Pairing it with Minato Mirai and the Red Brick Warehouse lets you take in the harbor area in a single day

A Quick Tip

Popular restaurants draw long lines, so shifting slightly off the peak lunch and dinner hours helps. Take the edge off your appetite with street snacks while you take your time choosing the restaurant you really want. When your feet grow tired, a break with almond tofu or bubble tea revives the appetite.