Yokohama Chinatown, Chinese district in Yamashitacho, Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama Chinatown is a Chinese district in Yamashitachō, Yokohama, Japan, that extends across several blocks and includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, and food stalls. The main streets run parallel to each other and meet at central intersections where red lanterns hang above the sidewalks and illuminate the paths between rows of storefronts.
The district emerged after 1859 when Yokohama port opened to foreign ships and Chinese merchants settled there to serve as intermediaries between Japanese businesspeople and Western traders. After the great Kantō earthquake of 1923 and the bombing raids of World War II, the area was completely rebuilt and grew into a popular destination for locals and travelers.
Ten gates mark the borders of this district, each named after a compass direction from Chinese cosmology and painted with traditional colors. Between the entrances stand three Buddhist and Taoist temples that serve as gathering points for prayer and festivals, especially during Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The area is best explored on foot since most entrance gates stand only a few minutes apart on foot. Weekends and public holidays bring heavy crowds, so weekday visits offer a quieter experience for walking through the streets.
The lamppost along the streets display different patterns, each representing one of four Chinese fortune dragons that symbolize water, earth, fire, and wind. On weekends, visitors often hear street musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu while small groups of onlookers gather among the crowds.
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