Yokohama boasts one of the biggest Chinatown in the world and the biggest in Asia. Being one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan, Yokohama’s Chinatown is only 10-15 minutes away from Yokohama’s baseball stadium in central Yokohama. There are two train stops from which you can reach Yokohama’s Chinatown within 10-15 minutes’ walk.
While the main attraction is their food, you also cannot help noticing during night time that the décor feels as though you are in a Chinatown movie set with the upkeep of cleanliness in Japan. Entering through the small streets you can also grab food there, most of which are a set meal with an entree. Other than food, there is also specialty gourmet shops, tearooms, dessert shops, markets, souvenir shops and ethnic goods stores.
Passing by all the restaurants, you’ll see similar food selections, which have a set meal with a few sides such as fried rice, a small dessert, or dumplings, including an entree such as beef or pork with peppers, which is a popular favorite among Japanese locals. You can also get ramen but instead of Chinese noodles, the ramen in Japan is typically Japanese style noodles even if it’s Chinese cuisine and flavor, although there are exceptions to Chinese restaurants that serve Chinese style noodles.
Ask for a pamphlet or menu and they will give you a pamphlet of all the selections/entrees you can choose from with pictures. You can enjoy a good meal with souvenir shopping and attraction. Their gourmet stores sell moon cake desserts or even shark fin. There is also random street food where you can get a bao, shaved ice desserts, ice cream and more. There are also fancier Chinese restaurants for more fine dining and to eat in with family.
Unlike other Chinatowns you may see in places such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or in Vancouver, Japan’s Chinatown in Yokohama upkeeps the buildings and Chinese tourist shops, which is unique because it also has a peculiar Japanese feeling as well. It does not feel as worn out as other Chinatowns with litter and pollution.
It is nice that you can get a good set meal of Chinese entrees that beats fast food restaurants. The restaurants here are authentic Chinese food and not Westernized but also appeal to the Japanese palate. Although it is fresh to eat Chinese food in the Japanese shopping centers where you can enjoy a gourmet meal just the same, Chinatown in Yokohama is nice to go on a date or for casual meal by yourself or with friends. It’s a great sightseeing spot and you can enjoy your time alone here as well.
What is more enjoyable is that there is a temple in the Chinatown as well as a waterfront or beach promenade only 15 minutes’ walk from here called Yamashita Park. So, after enjoying your time in the world of Chinatown, you can walk just 15 minutes to enjoy a beautiful waterfront with an amazing view and feel. This makes for a great excursion that anyone can enjoy and tour a part of Yokohama.
Access
- The exit to Yokohama’s Chinatown is Ishikawacho Station on the JR Line and Motomachi Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line.
- From Shibuya, the subway ride takes about an hour to Motomachi Chukagai Station.
- The walk to Yokohama’s Chinatown from both stations is 10-15 minutes.
- Address: Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0023. See on Google Maps
