Date: 24th Mar. 2024
Yokohama Chinatown is a Chinatown located in Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is the largest Chinatown in Japan and the largest in East Asia, and has a history of over 150 years, counting from its predecessor in 1866 (Keio 2) during the Yokohama Nitta Settlement era.
There are more than 500 stores within an area of approximately 0.2 square kilometers, and they change frequently depending on the latest trends.
Before 1955, it was called Tojinmachi or Nankinmachi. A relatively large number of overseas Chinese are from Guangdong Province, but they are scattered throughout China. Alleys named after places intersect, such as Shanghai Road, Zhongshan Road, and Fujian Road, and each alley is home to many people from that area. The Chinese population of Naka Ward, where it is located, is over 6,000. This accounts for approximately 40% of the foreigners registered in the ward.
In 1859, when Yokohama opened its port, a foreign settlement was created, and along with Europeans and Americans, a large number of Chinese procurators (Chinese merchants and trade intermediaries) and employees of foreign diplomats came to live there. Initially, they came from Hong Kong and Guangdong, so many were from Guangdong. Soon after, a regular shipping route was opened between Yokohama, Shanghai, and the British colony of Hong Kong, and Chinese traders also moved to the area, building Guan Tei Temple and Chinese Hall in a corner of the settlement (present-day Yamashita Town), and built Chinese schools. This is the prototype of Yokohama Chinatown.
Because it was built along the coastline of Yokohama Shinda, an early reclaimed land, the divisions in this area are offset by approximately 45 degrees. Most of the shops at this time were daily necessities stores, clothing stores, and grocery stores, and there were not many Chinese restaurants. In 1872 (Meiji 5), stands selling willow noodles began to appear.
On March 24, 2024, despite the rain, Yokohama Chinatown was still crowded with people. It has the most local Chinese eateries and grand restaurants, with restaurants from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Fujian, Nanjing, Hong Kong and more gathered here. There are also many shops with a long history.
